A well-known ramen restaurant will be expanding its portfolio in Vancouver with the launch of its sushi hand roll concept.
Saijo Hand Roll & Kushiyaki is a new offering from Jinya, the U.S.-based Japanese restaurant group that brought its Ramen Jinya to downtown Vancouver several years ago.
Vancouver will be home to the first location of this concept under the Jinya umbrella.
Jinya says Saijo's roots stem from one of its enduring L.A. restaurants, Robata Jinya, which has been serving up Japanese charcoal-grilled skewers alongside sushi bar selections on 3rd Street since 2010. "Kushiyaki" is a term for skewered and grilled foods.
Saijo will set up in Kitsilano at 2036 W 4th Ave, taking over a retail space that was previously the store Second Suit.
Hand rolls have been increasing in popularity as a sushi bar specialization in Vancouver, starting with the launch of Hello Nori on Robson in early 2021.
This summer, the owner of Vancouver's Craffles, announced he was adding to his restaurant portfolio a sushi hand roll restaurant, Oshi Nori, opening at 1055 Mainland in Yaletown.
Hand roll restaurants typically focus on a sushi bar experience, allowing the chefs to pass the freshly-assembled rolls of rice, seafood, and nori to guests. Menus often feature a la carte ordering as well as sets or combos of hand rolls and other sushi items or side dishes.
V.I.A. has reached out to Jinya to learn more about Saijo. Follow @saijohandroll on Instagram for updates.
