Although the West End has a number of sushi and Japanese cuisine options, the entry of a local chainlet into the area will broaden the variety currently available.

More specifically, Vancouver-based Shizen Ya will add a new dimension to what's available with its focus on health-oriented menu offerings: all sushi is made with brown rice; organic vegetables are used throughout the menu; and vegan and gluten-free options are available, with a range of vegetarian selections.

The restaurant opened its first location on Hornby Street in 2009, followed by a Broadway location in 2011.

In March 2017, the Hornby location relocated a few doors down to a larger location at 965 Hornby Street so that its sibling establishment, Japanese taco eatery Kurumucho, could open up at 985 Hornby Street.

Shizen Ya is now preparing to open its third location in Vancouver, this time in the West End at 1059 Denman Street (taking over the former premises of Daily Catch Seafood Company, which recently closed down).

Shizen Ya president Hide Hirose told the Georgia Straight that the approximately 1,000-square-foot space will seat up to 33 patrons. Hirose said that the menu will mostly be the same as their other locations, but that the Denman location may have some differences during the soft-opening phase.

Sushi rolls run from $2.95 to $14.95, varying from vegetarian selections such as organic avocado roll or yam tempura roll to chicken breast teriyaki roll or mango California roll.

There's also nigiri sushi and sashimi, and a number of options made with organic quinoa, including inari (deep-fried tofu pockets), temaki (cone-shaped sushi), and soba (buckwheat noodle) salad.

Beyond sushi and sashimi, their menus also cover brown rice bowls, salads (including sockeye salmon tataki salad), udon, curry rice (without MSG), whole-wheat tempura, gyoza, and teriyaki (oil-free).

Hirose said that they're aiming for a soft-opening of the Denman location, pending inspections, by this Friday (July 13).