Japanese izakaya joints have sprouted all over Vancouver, and its fusion cooking is a welcome change from the sushi spots found every third block. Hapa Izakaya plays up its fusion identity; after all, hapa means “leaf” in Japanese and “half” in Hawaiian. After working up an appetite sun-soaking in Kits beach last week, I found myself enjoying Hapa’s casual atmosphere and diverse menu, which ranged from crunchy non-greasy gyozas to the cooled creaminess of the tuna belly negitoro. Here are the entrees that stood out to me:
The amaebi ($10.50) was a delightful surprise. The raw BC spot prawn meat itself was underwhelming, not quite as clear and firm as I’d like. But the accompanying deep fried shrimp heads made up for my disappointment, as they were so savoury and crisp. Out of everything I’ve had in Hapa Izakaya, the shrimp heads were probably my favourite — I didn’t even know I liked shrimp heads before I had them there.
Another one of my favourite entrees is the ika maruyaki ($7.20), which is grilled squid marinated in sake, soy sauce, and garlic. The squid was tender, nothing like the tough or gummy texture I dreaded. The marinade also provided an even, smoky taste. Since I’m certain I’ve never had squid like this before, I asked the kitchen staff about it, and all they could tell me is that it’s from Japan, and it’s a common streetfood or snack to go with beer.
The cho Wagyu is a novelty entree more than anything, but it was nevertheless a fun dish: well-marbled slices of Wagyu beef were accompanied by a hot stone slab for cooking. Grill a few minutes on the hot stone (don’t overdo it!), top with a couple slices of dried garlic chips, and the thin beef slices will dissolve like butter on your tongue.
Gindara saikyo yaki ($10.50) is baked sablefish marinated in sake and miso, and it has the distinction of being the signature dish of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Sablefish (the fish formerly known as black cod) is succulent, and it’s really hard to go wrong with it. The miso enhances the mild-flavoured flakiness of sablefish. If you win the gift certificate, I really recommend trying out this dish.
To win the $50 gift certificate, just leave a comment on this post. Winner will be drawn next week on Tuesday, May 25, at 6 pm.
Last modified: May 20, 2010
Textura loves Hapa Izakaya. We frequent and recommend to our clients Hapa Izakaya for a fantastic Japanese Fusion experience.
This is one of the best izakaya in Vancouver among the others. Highly recommended!
Try the kakuni pork next time you go. 🙂
There is nothing better than a stone bowl baked for hours in an oven then filled with delicious glutinous rice… My mouth is watering.. Pick me! 
Hapa makes me happy. Pretty please hook me up with a gift certificate. I promise to love every mouth watering bite!
Hapa is one of my favorite spots in kits when looking for something more than the typical sushi. A combo lunch box just doesn’t bring the same food joy as what they have to offer.
I would love to try this restaurant!
Carol
Vancouver resident
I’ve been meaning to try this restaurant! Would love the chance to (:
It’s funny I walk by Hapa all the time and heard a lot about it, but never end up going. Would love to try it. 🙂
I’ve been on three dates at Hapa Izakaya. It just seems like the right kind of place for a date I guess! I didn’t get laid after any of them though… Actually, scratch that, I did after one of them.
=)
I’ve never been to Izakaya since last May that I moved to Kits. This would be a great motivation to try it now!
I always have fun whenever i go to hapa!
Sounds yummy! I’d like to try it out.
I’ve never been to any of Hapa Izakaya’s location, but would love to try since it is highly recommended by many of my friends.
why was black cod renamed sablefish?
I’ve got to try this place out even if I don’t win! Sounds amazing!
Have never tried izakaya – would love to try it!
I love Japanese! I would love to try a new place 🙂
I can’t say I have ever eaten just a shrimp head but I’d being willing to try it!
Never been to Hapa Izakaya!
After hearing rave reviews about this restaurant, I was finally able to try it myself for the first time at their new Yaletown location. The verdict, it did not disappoint. Just waiting for the next time when I can dine at Hapa again.
Yummm.. I want some Hapa right now..
I THINK I’ve seen/heard about it but have never tried it. Looks delicious!
Hapa is it!
I love this restaurant. Yet to try the new Yaletown location.
I have been wanting to try this place!
Arigato 🙂
OMG I love Hapa!!
Hapa Izakaya is second on my list of Vancouver Izakayas to frequent. Plus Alpha comes before, and Guu after Hapa.
I will admit though, I find the Kits location best for overall experience although I have yet to visit the new Yaletown one.
Have heard great things about this place and keep meaning to check it out. My mouth is watering from all the photos! This weekend, I will make dining there a priority!
I love hapa. And I work at kits. That’s a great combo.
I just moved into the neighborhood and have been really wanting to try this place. I’ve heard great things about it!
It’s not even 9 a.m. yet, but after seeing these photos, all I can think about is fitting this restaurant into my weekend plans. Those photos are look very appetizing!
We’ll have to venture down the hill and check it out.
Sounds delicious. Would love to check it out!
I live it Kits and would love to try it out! Thanks for the contest!
Love this restaurant, one of my favorite Kits spots
Mmmm, I’d love to try it out!
Ooh, I’ve never been to HI, but I’ve always wanted to!!
ohh wow, looks delicious! i’ll need to try this place soon!
Deep fried shrimp heads?! Sign me up. Haven’t been to Hapa, yet… Cheers.
When you walk in to the restaurants all the stff yells a Welcome (Irasshaimase!) . A lot of energy and a lot of wonderful food at Hapa!
Yes please. Cheer me up; I’ve just discovered I can’t extend my visa. I think some Japanese fusion would just about make up for that. Ta.
Yum! the rice bowls are my favourite!
Good eats!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Hapa!
Vancouver is lucky to have so many good izakayas. Kingyo on Denman is my #1, but in Kits I like Dan (not a traditional izakaya), and Zakkushi. But sign me up for the contest!
love it!
I live about 4 blocks from the Kits location.. It’s a great date place! I just need to meet more girls and I’ll be at Hapa alot more often
I’ve had the week from hell and bills are flooding through my letterbox, dinner at what sounds like a yummy restaurant, is currently just a pipe dream for me…:-(!
I love fusion food and now I’m dreaming because of the pix 😛
Once you become a hapatonian you won’t go anywhere else for japanese/asian inspired tapas.
i’ve never been,
but it looks yummy.
Looks great. I’d love a gift certificate!
Love the restaurant reviews, always looking for more places to eat!
gotta try these shrimp heads!
I went yesterday for dinner and had a blast, I love the place!!
That food looks amazing, got to try it out.
I Love their food 🙂
oooh~~ Hapa gc’s?? In the immortal words of a most annoying cat, I can haz?
I live right at the Kitsilano one and have never been. Being from Europe Asian food is still a challange to me sometimes but I want to try more different Asian styles. So please I need the gift certificate.
I went to Hapa Izakaya downtown once, a long time ago. It was – sublime! I would love to make my next visit with a gift certificate in hand….but I think no matter what I’ve got to go soon to try the shrimp heads!
yum yum, only been once, but it was deelish! would love to go again!
I love this restaurant.
Mmm, looks so good!
Woah.
The food made me hungry!
Woah.
The food make me hungry!
never been but always wanted to try!!!
Those pictures look soo delicious. I’ll have to try it sometime!
Whouha I went there last night and it’s was delicious! Will go back for sure!
i am new to this area, and never tyred this place. I would Like to win This Coupon so i can take my Mom for some lunch and quality time.
The pictures are making me hungry. I would love to win this to try it out.!=)
Oh I’m going to have guests coming into town next month and they are going to LOVE Happa!
love having this place in the neighborhood:)
The pictures look amazing!
I love the food at Hapa:)
I really want to try Hapa Izakaya : )
I really want to check them out. Looks delicious.
would love to win!
I love the food at Hapa, the service is great and atmosphere is very lively. Hope I would win this.
mmm, the grilled squid = happiness.
Would love to try this out sometime!
Love it! May have to go again this week!
I’ve gone by Hapa Izakaya so many times but for some reason have never made it in!
sounds delicious!!!
Love the Mackerel Sushi!!!!
Can’t get enough of the ebi mayo! So good.
Mmmm hapa sushi! Yes please!
Love Hapa, was so happy when they opened in Kits! <3 the hello kitty cocktail !
Mmm, would love to try this place!
I’ve only gone a couple times, but love the food and atmosphere!
Love IT!
To Heather M who asked why black cod was renamed sablefish:
Marketing move. I dined at Hapa with seafood marketing specialist Eric Ackerson who works for Seavent, and he said that sablefish sounds luxurious while black cod sounds cheap and common.
No, seriously. I’m still waiting for the day that narwhal becomes unicornfish meat. 🙂
Thanks everyone for participatingin the contest.
Always wanted to try this place out, but just haven’t the chance yet.
It would be nice to win. I’m a starving Actor.