Many eateries adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by temporarily adding various food and drink products for sale.

While some establishments are making that change permanent, Aburi Restaurants Canada announced today that it is opening its Aburi To-Go store at 1112 Mainland Street in Yaletown tomorrow (May 26).

Perched aside Minami Restaurant, this 1,000-square-foot space was formerly Minami’s Blue Ocean private room but has been reimagined with décor that draws inspiration from traditional Japanese culture with modern accents, complete with a mural and a locally made neon sign.

This store will specialize in Japanese and West Coast food, including chef-made selections, take-away items, housemade condiments, groceries, frozen foods, meals kits, imported snacks, and more.  

Aburi Restaurants Canada CEO and founder Seigo Nakamura explained in a news release that the store, which will also carry Aburi meals, housemade desserts, and plateware from Japan, will hopefully be the first of more to come.

Some examples of what’s available includes:

• ready-to-eat items: convenient grab-n-go packaged meals, made in-house daily by chefs, such as salads, souzai tapas, Japanese bento, sushi rolls, and sando (Japanese-style sandwiches);
• frozen meal kits: these kits, which come frozen with instructions for heating and assembling, include housemade ramen, miso-baked salmon, and Japanese chicken curry.
• pastries and confections: made in-house by Aburi pastry chef Nikki Tam, offerings include house-churned ice cream and sorbets, castella cakes, panna cotta, and Aburi’s signature Green Tea Opera cake.
• house-made condiments: these Japanese sauces include Akadama Chili Paste, Chili Crunch Rayu Sauce, and Spicy Miso.

Online shopping, delivery, and pickup options will be available in the coming weeks. 

Aburi Restaurants Canada operates Miku, Minami, and Gyoza Bar in Vancouver, as well as Tora Toronto, Aburi Hana, Miku Toronto, and Minami Toronto.