A short walk up from the Seabus Station on the North Shore, Sushi Mahana offers an understated expression of Japanese hospitality. Owner/Chef Yuki Aida set out to share not only Japanese cuisine, but also the culture and spirit behind it, creating an experience that feels deeply personal.
Since opening in 2023 as an ambitious addition to Vancouver’s Japanese fine dining scene, Sushi Mahana has entered a new chapter. Following Chef Hiroshi’s departure and the end of their partnership last year, Yuki is shaping the restaurant’s identity while remaining grateful for the journey they shared. She kept the name Mahana, meaning “flower of truth” as well as the name of Chef Hiroshi’s daughter, as a reminder of the values at its core: authenticity, gratitude and food shared from the heart.
Seasonal Omakase Dinner
Those elements came through in a thoughtful five-course omakase dinner paired with premium sake. The menu moved from clean, delicate flavours to richer, more indulgent moments, showcasing seasonal ingredients through a refined Japanese lens. From the first sip of the dashi soup to the final spoonful of dessert, the meal felt balanced, elegant and luxurious.
The evening began with Awase Dashi, a delicate seaweed consommé with clean, savoury depth. Next came BC King Salmon & Watermelon Crudo in shio-koji dressing, balancing sweetness and umami. A silky Ikura, Corn and Crab Chawanmushi followed, with corn adding sweetness, crab richness and ikura bright bursts of briny flavour.
Mahana’s Seasonal Nigiri & Temaki showcased impeccably fresh seafood in a progression of textures and flavours: Isaki Tilefish, Shima Aji, melting Nagasaki Otoro and Hirame finished simply with lime juice and sea salt. Deep-fried Black Cod Temaki with shiso flowers added fragrant crispness before Uni and Chutoro brought a sumptuous close to the course.
The final savoury dish featured richly marbled Yamagata A5 Wagyu Beef, served shabu-shabu style with a nutty sesame sauce.
Dessert was a satisfying finish: creamy Matcha Panna Cotta and bright Cherry Sauce, garnished with a sesame crisp served with a soothing cup of hojicha.
The Sake Pairing
As a sake sommelier, Yuki personally curated the pairing, giving each course a stronger sense of place and personality. Kuheiji Betsu Atsurae Junmai Daiginjo (Eau du Désir) brought delicate aromatics and mellow tropical notes to the opening courses. Its background as a 15th-generation, terroir-driven producer made the pairing especially thoughtful.
Gassan Junmai Daiginjo Yoshida Brewery offered a rounded mouthfeel and gentle savoury notes. Made with exceptionally soft local water, it brought textured elegance to the sushi course. Minowamon Junmai Daiginjo from Daishichi Brewery delivered the depth and umami needed for the Wagyu, with structure and complexity from its traditional kimoto style.
In a city blessed with outstanding sushi restaurants, Sushi Mahana has found its raison d’etre: rather than chasing trends or extravagance, it offers something more meaningful: an honest, heartfelt dining experience built on gratitude, resilience, respect and the joy of sharing Japanese food and culture. It is the kind of meal that stays with you long after the last sip of tea.
Sushi Mahana
175 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604.969.1520
Tuesday and Wednesday Dinner: Mahana A La Carte
Thursday to Saturday Dinner: Mahana Omakase
Reservations Only
