Downtown Vancouver is about to get not only an impressive new building but also an exciting new Japanese modern fine dining destination.
Aburi Restaurants Canada - known locally for its Miku, Minami, Wa! Curry, and Aburi Market concepts - has teamed up with developer Westbank for Aburi Hana Vancouver, which will occupy 3,000 square feet of Alberni by Kengo Kuma at 1550 Alberni St.
Both the building and the new Aburi Hana restaurant are anticipated to open in the winter. The Alberni is the eye-catching curved skyscraper that houses some of the priciest condos in the city's recent history.
“Alberni by Kengo Kuma is expected to transform the downtown Vancouver landscape with its blend of Japanese traditions alongside contemporary design - making it the perfect location for our first Aburi Hana in Vancouver,” said Seigo Nakamura, Founder and CEO of Aburi Restaurants Canada in a May 10 media release.
Nakamura added that Aburi Hana will feature "the same fine-dining magnificence" as its Michelin-starred Aburi Hana in Toronto.
Aburi Hana aims to redefine "washoku," the deeply-meaningful culture of preparing and eating traditional Japanese ingredients and dishes. Washoku is a guiding principle behind Aburi's restaurants and popular standalone marketplace.
Diners can expect the integration of "Japanese ingredients, seasonings, and cooking methods alongside local elements," according to Nakamura.
Aburi Hana's kitchen will be led by an acclaimed Japanese chef (whose identity will be revealed later), who is joining the Canadian restaurant group from their native Japan.
Currently, the ground-floor restaurant space at Alberni is undergoing transformation to become Aburi Hana Vancouver.
Next door, a second yet-to-be-announced project by Aburi Restaurants Canada and Westbank is also coming soon.
It's a busy time for the Aburi team in Vancouver; they recently debuted Wa! Curry, featuring wagyu beef curry dishes, in the former Gyoza Bar location downtown, and are prepping Wa-Bagel, a Japanese bagel shop concept for a 2023 launch.
Fans can follow @hanayorkville on Instagram to keep up with developments on Aburi Hana Vancouver.
