Can you hear the sizzle? That's fresh tempura-battered fish and veggies getting golden and crispy in the deep fryer.
Japanese import Kaneko Hannosuke is opening their first Canadian location of their famous tempura restaurant here in Vancouver, and opening day is set for Thursday, January 23.
Hannosuke is known for their "tempura tendon." The Japanese specialty is a type of donburi (rice bowl with toppings) that features crisp tempura atop the freshly steamed rice and a light soy sauce.
While many restaurants serve donburi and tempura dishes here in Vancouver, Kaneko Hannosuke focuses exclusively on tendon tempura, and are considered top of their game.
With locations in Japan - and their main branch located in Tokyo's Chuo City area - as well as outposts in Taiwan and the U.S. (including in major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago), their Vancouver location on Robson Street marks their first foray into the Canadian market.
Hannosuke is named for Hannosuke Kaneko, who "served as the second chairman of Japanese cook association 'Isshin-kai,'" according to their official website. His grandson, Kaneko Shinya, inherited his grandfather's recipe book, which included a treasured recipe for a secret "Edomae" rice bowl sauce. Kaneko Shinya worked to create a tendon tempura dish using the sauce, and his popular brand was born.
I checked Hannosuke out last month in Los Angeles at the Mitsuwa Marketplace, and their forthcoming Robson Street outpost should be a vibrant addition to Vancouver's expanding Japanese food scene, thanks to their masterful tempura (hello, tempura fried soft boiled egg) and combo plates.
Hannosuke is located at 1725 Robson St in Vancouver. Their daily opening hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. for dinner service. You can follow @kanekohannosuke.vancouver on Instagram for more info and updates.
