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BEST RATED NANAIMO, BC JAPANESE RESTAURANTS

3 Best Japanese Restaurants in Nanaimo, BC

Expert-recommended Top 3 Japanese Restaurants in Nanaimo, BC. All of our japanese restaurants actually undergo a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes everything from checking reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust and price - all to ensure overall excellence. You deserve only the best!

Nori Japanese Restaurant - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - Dish Image
Nori Japanese Restaurant - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - Restaurant Exterior Image
Nori Japanese Restaurant - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - collage image(highlights)
Nanaimo japanese restaurant Nori Japanese Restaurant video
11+ YEARS ON TBR
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NORI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

(4.9 Score)
6750 Island Highway North, #203,
Nanaimo, BC V9V 1S3 Directions

Since 2010

Specialities:

✓Yam ✓Broccoli ✓Fat Prawn ✓Avocado ✓Lobster Tail and Soft Shell Crab Tempura ✓Negikura ✓Kaisen ✓Bara Chirashi ✓Nori Spicy Wild Salmon or Tuna ✓Uk Fish and Chips / Relegation ✓Chop Scallop and Tobiko / Negitoro ✓Amazing Spider ✓Foie Gras Shiso ✓Lobster / Negikura and Uni+spot Prawn ✓Rosu Katsu Set ✓Tori Katsu Set ✓Buta Chives Gyoza ✓Agedashi Tofu ✓Pumpkin Korokke ✓Harumaki ✓Classic Edamame ✓Takouki Puff ✓Szechuan Edamame ✓Tako Wasabi ✓Fat Ebi Mayo ✓Crispy Monkey’s ✓Ika Calamari

"Nori Japanese Restaurant is a casual fixture in a strip mall with creative sushi rolls, seasonal Japanese dishes, and top-shelf sake. The vibe in the restaurant is pleasant, with a chill, relaxed environment while enjoying delicious, delicate Japanese sushi and seafood. The chef's special is a small mackerel fish that serves as sashimi. Their foods include the island fever roll, strawberry crunch roll, dancing scallop roll, karai chirashi don and udon. This local sushi restaurant has some very adventurous flavours on the menu. You can avail a complimentary green tea. Accessible plaza parking is available near the restaurant. They have High chairs, vegan dishes, and free Wi-Fi for the customers. Nori Japanese Restaurant offers a Special Menu that includes a meal consisting of dishes selected by the chef.

2026 Highlights: They serve a everything from comforting ramen bowls to elite multi-layered Omakase sashimi."

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License #FM0537413

Menu:

Kobachistarter
Kimchi $5
Wakame $5
Baby Spinach Gomae $6
Buta Chives Gyoza (5 Pcs) $7
Agedashi Tofu $7
Pumpkin Korokke $6
Harumaki $6
Classic Edamame $5
Takouki Puff (10 Pcs) $10
Szechuan Edamame $6
Tako Wasabi $7
Fat Ebi Mayo $15
Crispy Monkey's $16
Ika Calamari $12
Kara-Agetori $12
Scallop Explosion $18
Dancing Scallop & Prawn $38
Bowls
Teriyaki Rice Bowl $21
Crispy Tofu $21
Beef Oritori Chicken Thigh $22
Wild Salmon Sockeye $35
Steak Sz, Aaa Beef Tenderloin $45
Katsu Don $22
Butashoga Don $22
Classic Bibimbap $23
Chashu Bibimbap $22
Gyudon $22
Crispy Tofu Poke $24
Pacific Poke Bowl $25
Unagi Don $26
Karai Chirashi Don $26
Nigiri
Inari $3.5
Tamago Asparagus Avocado $4
Atlantic Salmon Albacore Tuna $6
Ebi Tako Saba Ika $5

Contact:

(250) 751-3377

Mon-Sun: 11am - 2:30pm|4:30pm - 8:30pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Dami Sushi - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - Dish Image
Dami Sushi - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - Restaurant Exterior Image
11+ YEARS ON TBR
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DAMI SUSHI

(4.9 Score)
10-4890, Rutherford Road,
Nanaimo, BC V9T 4Z4 Directions

Since 2013

Specialities:

✓Appetizer ✓Soups and Salads ✓Tempura ✓Sashimi ✓Tempura Roll ✓Fish Roll ✓Noodle ✓Sushi ✓Vegetable Roll ✓Japanese-inspired Cuisine ✓Teppanyaki ✓Teriyaki Meals

"Dami Sushi is a popular, easygoing Japanese eatery in Nanaimo, British Columbia, known for its creative maki rolls, fresh sashimi, and friendly service. They serve a teppanyaki meals prepared on the grill, hand-rolled sushi, ramen, bubble tea and other Japanese-inspired dishes. Dami Sushi offers a memorable dining experience. They casually eatery strikes a great balance between quality and value. Dami Sushi is well-regarded for its welcoming staff, fresh ingredients, and creative special rolls. Their menu covers a solid range of traditional sushi and kitchen entrees, but local diners and their own kitchen team highlight a few standout items.

2026 Highlights: They are offering a takeout and delivery are available directly via some platforms."

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Contact:

(250) 585-4466

Mon-Sat: 11:30am - 8:30pm
Sun: 12pm - 7:30pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Bistro Taiyo - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - Dish Image
Bistro Taiyo - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - Restaurant Exterior Image
Bistro Taiyo - Nanaimo, BC Japanese Restaurants - collage image(highlights)
Nanaimo japanese restaurant Bistro Taiyo video
10+ YEARS ON TBR
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BISTRO TAIYO

(4.8 Score)
321 Wesley Street, #2,
Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T5 Directions

Since 2001

Specialities:

✓Donburi ✓Teriyaki Tofu Don ✓Teriyaki Chicken Don ✓Teriyaki Salmon Don ✓Teriyaki Tuna Don ✓Tempura Don ✓Ebi Tempura Don ✓Oyako Don ✓Katsu Don ✓Cha-shu Don ✓Unagi Don ✓Tuna Don ✓Salmon Don ✓Spicy Sushi Don ✓Negi Toro Don ✓Salmon Oyako Don ✓Poke Don ✓Chirashi Don ✓Plain Curry ✓Croquette ✓Ebi-fry ✓Vegetable ✓Chicken or Beef and Tonkatsu

“Bistro Taiyo Japanese Restaurant stands as a Chef-owned establishment, offering a diverse menu of timeless Japanese delicacies within a warm and sociable ambiance. Their commitment to delivering outstanding sushi is matched by the inviting atmosphere they cultivate, making it one of the select few venues in town where your sushi is meticulously crafted by authentic Japanese staff. Bistro Taiyo emerges as a rare gem that not only satisfies the palate but also leaves you with a sense of contentment after every meal. With offerings like the Nigiri Set, Teriyaki Chicken Don, Teriyaki Tofu Don, Teriyaki Tuna Don, Teriyaki Salmon Don, Nabeyaki & Tuna Sushi Don, they present a symphony of flavours that cater to a variety of tastes. One can indulge in the Sunomono, a delightful dish featuring rice noodles, Shrimp, and Cucumber harmoniously combined with vinegar, offering a refreshingly tangy experience. As a testament to their commitment to customer convenience, Bistro Taiyo Japanese Restaurant is equipped to accept debit cards. Their inviting atmosphere, authentic preparation, and a menu that tantalizes the senses all come together to create a dining experience that is as memorable as it is satisfying. They focus strictly on traditional Japanese craftsmanship, high-quality ingredients, and classic execution.”

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Menu:

Daily Bento Box: $18.45
Vegetarian Bento Box: $18.45
Healthy Meal Set: $18.45
Roll Set: $18.45
Sashimi Box: $19.45
Sushi Lunch: $19.45
Taiyo Gozen Lunch Set: $22.45
Fujin Set: $34.95
Raijin Set: $34.95

Contact:

(250) 716-8861

Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm|4:30pm - 8pm
Sat: 12pm - 3pm|5pm - 8pm
Sun: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

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NORI JAPANESE RESTAURANT REVIEWS

Food was great. Tried the easiest plate to order on my first time: chef’s raft. I would definitely go back and try other menus next time. However, I wouldn’t wait an hour on the line to get in. Online booking recommended. The restaurant has quite dark atmosphere and it is crowded and noisy which wasn’t great for my young child. Service was also good enough but there are room for improvement.

I went in a group of 10 people to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Really enjoyed eating fresh & thick cuts of sashimi and creative sushi rolls ! Quite a vibrant and noisy sorta vibe, service staff was always ready to serve more hot tea which i love. Dessert was surprisingly yummy too! Can’t wait to be back.

A local recommended this restaurant and it certainly did not disapoint. Place was lively for a Monday (lunch), had to wait a few mins to sit down as the place was full. The lunch special oferred great value and variety. Other menu items were equallty good - ordered the specialy sushi and oishi maki's. Overall, this is a good Japanese restaursnt in the neighborhood that's why its packed.

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DAMI SUSHI REVIEWS

Dami Sushi has become one of our favourite restaurants in Nanaimo. The staff are always so happy to see you, the food is amazing and the prices are fantastic. I highly recommend this restaurant! .

Ordered delivery from Dami Sushi. The portions were generous, and the overall quality was good. However, the rolls were made too loosely. They fell apart as soon as I picked them up with my chopsticks, which made them difficult to eat. Other than that, everything tasted good, and I’d still order from here again.

Always my first choice for sushi in Nanaimo, especially the vegetable rolls! The vegetables are always diced and placed so efficiently that it makes it easy to eat the roll. Service and food is always consistent!.

BISTRO TAIYO REVIEWS

The best Japanese izakaya on the Vancouver Island. Very authentic. For example , curry rice is not your typical California rice . It is from Nigatta. Sushi is somehow fresher than Victoria.

Real home authentic Japanese food with a touch of upscale. I prefer this place over the more popular and expensive Nori. They make the food fresh, delicious and a touch fancy but not over the top. Prices for the quality is good and the service was friendly. The only minor annoyance is finding parking but it's worth it. Overall I recommend this place over Nori for Japanese cuisine.

Their food is like a hug in bowl!! I had the tonkotsu black and gyoza. It's a cozy little space in the old city quarter, the service is quick and the staff is amazing. It was my first time here and the server helped me understand the menu and make an informed choice on what to order. It is a bit pricey, but their portions are big and you leave with a full tummy and a full heart! I would definitely recommend this place and would certainly go back!.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

NORI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Contact Info: 9
Experience: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Videos: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

DAMI SUSHI Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Business Hours: 9
Experience: 9
Social Media: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Contact Info: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Online Order: 10
Reviews Accuracy: 10
Reviews Study: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

BISTRO TAIYO Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Contact Info: 9
Experience: 9
Legitimate Ratings: 9
Reviews Accuracy: 9
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Pricing: 10
Variety of Menu: 10
Videos: 10
Extensive Menu: 10

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