gohan - 4 stars
1815 Rosser Ave., (near the VanCity at Madison Centre), Burnaby, BC, Phone: (604) 205-5212.
Gohan (which means “rice” in Japanese) serves up Japanese food with a twist. If you’re tired of the same old Japanese food - sushi, teriyaki, and tempura, I suggest you give Gohan a try.
While Gohan does serve the standard Japanese menu, it’s their “alternative” menu items that I’m drawn to. Chicken karaage is one of my fave Japanese foods (fried chicken in bite-sized pieces, with a thin crispy coating). Gohan marinates the chicken first in sake and garlic and serves it with a honey cream sauce. Absolutely delicious.
They also make a couple tasty tataki items - a garlic tuna tataki and a spicy salmon tataki. The fish is seared and served with beautiful sauces - garlic for the tuna and jalapeno for the salmon.
Gyoza is also done with a twist. Instead of the usual pork and veggie filling, you can choose from a salmon gyoza or an ebi mayo gyoza. The salmon gyoza uses salmon instead of pork, while the ebi mayo gyoza is deep fried making a crispy coating, with the ebi (prawn) and mayo inside.
The kids always order udon (the usual thick noodle and broth soup) but my husband loves Gohan’s “spicy pasta.” This dish is spaghettini in a spicy seafood tomato cream sauce. It makes an excellent lunch.
Usually, miso soup is complimentary (although it’s not stated on the menu), and lunch specials start at $7.95. At a recent lunch for two which included two rolls of sushi, miso soup, salad, spinach gomaae, and two a la carte items, the bill with tax and tip was under $40.
Gohan is often very busy (especially during lunch hour) so get there early or be prepared to wait for a table.