Need something to do this weekend? Here are five Japanese spots in town that will satisfy your sushi cravings. 

Sushi Itoga, 1668 Robson Street

One way to gauge the calibre of a sushi spot is to judge how well it makes the classic Japanese roll futomaki. The West End's Sushi Itoga, nestled among the Korean and ramen shops near Robson and Denman, aces the test, with authentic, quality, and traditional (not substitute) ingredients and flavour. The same rings true of their other competitively priced rolls and sashimi, which the staff efficiently churn out under the pressures of downtown meal-hour demand. Everything from dynamite and California rolls (with real crab) to umeshiso (sour plum with perilla leaf) and torotaku (tuna belly, pickled radish, perilla leaves, sesame) are available to order or as pre-made to-go packages from the cooler (which is frequently empty—this is Sushicouver, after all). Hungry diners converge around the communal table in the high-ceilinged, relaxed space, and although it's counter service, servers are attentive in clearing tables, bringing orders, and providing flasks of green tea. For those seeking something other than sushi, yes, there are a few options: edamame, gomae (spinach with sesame dressing), sunomono (cucumber salad), and udon in three varieties: regular, wakame (seaweed), and kitsune (bean curd).

Sushi Garden, 4269 Lougheed Highway and 4635 Kingsway, Burnaby

One of the many great things about Vancouver’s expansive food scene is that ridiculously good sushi doesn’t have to come at a ridiculously high price. Case in point: Sushi Garden, which, fine, is technically located in Burnaby, but if we’re counting its more recent Brentwood location, it’s not a long trek from the outskirts of East Vancouver. We could wax poetic about the joint’s silky-smooth salmon sashimi and scrumptious specialty rolls (check out the Ikamite roll, featuring cuttle fish tempura topped with fresh greens, tobiko, and Japanese mayo, or the house roll, which is described aptly on the menu as “lots of stuff”), but let’s talk about what will likely be the best Alaska roll you have ever tasted. Sushi Garden doesn’t skimp on the avocado and covers each delightfully creamy piece with salmon and a generous drizzling of a sweet-tangy Japanese dressing that we’ve yet to see replicated anywhere else. Combine that with the substantial portions and the fact that not a single item on the menu is more than eight bucks (unless you’re opting for a combo or party platter), and you’ve got one of the most consistent sushi spots in town.

Green Leaf Sushi, 3416 West Broadway

Located on the corner of Waterloo Street and West Broadway, this small shop is a hidden gem in the Kitsilano neighbourhood. Upon entering, you’ll notice the laid-back décor and feel-at-home vibe—the restaurant is lined with wooden tables and chairs, and fish-shaped lanterns hang from the ceiling. This sushi joint serves a variety of fresh sashimi and classic rolls, but you’ll also find a long list of special rolls, including the Crispy Roll—similar to a dynamite roll but topped with a crispy crust and served with peanut and wasabi sauce. But what people come here for is the aburi sushi menu—flame-seared bites of goodness. This type of sushi became popular at the higher-end Miku and Minami restaurants, but this is a cheaper alternative that is equally satiating. Try its signature salmon oshi aburi sushi, with oshi sauce and serano, or the aburi tobiko roll made with real crab meat. The fatty and creamy salmon immediately melts in your mouth. If you walk in during lunch or dinner rush hours, it will be packed. But the wait is worth it—even if you have to squish into the tight space. 

1/2 Roll Japanese Grill, 4148 Main Street

This relatively new hole-in-the-wall looks like every other tiny sushi joint on Main Street from the outside, so you might be surprised to learn that its Tokyo-trained head chef, Tatsuya Yamashita, has been creating delicious Japanese cuisine for more than 25 years. The restaurant, which opened in March 2015, gets its name from giving diners the option of indulging in a half order of any sushi roll on the menu—great for those of us who are indecisive, or who want to try something new. If you're a fan of oshi sushi, the pressed, square style that comes from Osaka, 1/2 Roll offers three varieties: salmon, ebi (shrimp), and saba (mackerel). Fancy rolls, like the spicy oyster roll (deep fried oyster, greens, avocado, and tobiko) and the torch roll (soft-shell-crab tempura, spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado, and tobiko), use nothing but the best ingredients, while staples like sockeye salmon and toro sashimi are always fresh and never frozen. Not into rolls or the raw stuff? Fear not, 1/2 Roll's selection of hot and grilled items, like unagi kamayaki (barbecued eel) and chicken karaage are impeccably seasoned and guaranteed to satisfy.

Minami, 1118 Mainland Street

This upscale Japanese eatery located in the heart of Yaletown is just as busy as when it opened. Decorated with warm lighting and Japanese artwork, the restaurant welcomes guests with an intimate and comfortable atmosphere. The sister restaurant of Miku (200 Granville Street), Minami serves Japanese dishes with a West Coast twist. Its Miso Sakekasu Sablefish with Tiger Prawn Tortellini is one example of the unique flavours here—the fish is smooth, cooked to perfection, and highlighted with umami dashi, shisho foam, and wasabi-shoga relish. Sushi lovers can’t make a visit here without trying the specialty—the famous aburi oshi sushi. Try some (if not all) of Minami's renowned salmon, ebi, or saba oshi sushi, prepared with the restaurant's flame-seared technique and signature sauces. Finish off your meal with a dessert, which looks more like a piece of deconstructed artwork than an edible dish. One of the most popular choices is the Green Tea Opera, made with green-tea genoise, dark-chocolate ganache, and matcha ice cream. Even if you think your eating capacity has reached its limit, you'll change your mind and order one last dish after eyeing the dessert on the table next to yours.