On The Hunt for the Best Sushi Spots In Kamloops?
Honey Jem Batang & Phuong Anh Nguyen
On the hunt for the best sushi spots in Kamloops to eat at? This post is for you!
Sushi is inherently an indispensable part of artful and skilled Japanese cuisine. This is a perfect combination of fresh sea fish, vegetables, rice seasoned with vinegar, and side dishes such as pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. This sushi-relishing culture has been popular in many parts of the world, and Canada and its cities are no exception. In Kamloops, nearly 20 sushi shops serve rolls, sashimi (raw fish), nigiri (molded rice with raw fish on top), bento (lunch box), and so on. With a focus on freshness and authentic sushi experience, below are the three best sushi spots in Kamloops to put on your local food bucket list that you should definitely check out the next time you are hit with a craving.
As both local and international students in Kamloops for the past four years, we can confidently recommend the best sushi restaurants worth visiting in the city. We will be rating the restaurants based on three factors: food quality, service, and cost.
Figure 1. Sushi – a traditional dish in Japanese culture
Blue Fish Sushi (reviewed by Honey)
Price: 💸💸
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: 685 Tranquille Rd Unit 3, Kamloops, BC
Website: https://www.bbqgui-bluefishsushi.com/
Bluefish, a Kamloops restaurant that opened in the midst of a pandemic in 2020, is known for providing excellent, casual Japanese cuisine. Their menu is a combination of authentic, classic, creative, and unique dishes. It is owned by Katie Yun, who also runs the GUI Korean BBQ nearby Aberdeen.
Figure 2. Blue Fish Sushi, in the North Shore area
Because the space is limited, there are just a few tables inside. If you are traveling with a large group, it is highly recommended that you make reservations. As a local living nearby, I have been a regular of their restaurant since they opened, and I can attest that the quality of their offerings has been consistent. The fish, sushi rice, and service are consistently excellent. They have some of the best pricing in town, and their value for freshness is one of the best in all of Kamloops.
As soon as we walked in (my boyfriend tagged along because he knew I would be reviewing sushi), we were greeted and shown to our table right by the window. Our server was friendly and offered good recommendations on what to order, and everything on the menu sounded delicious. We went on a Saturday evening, which initially surprised me because it was not crowded, but I was mistaken because it became crowded halfway through.
After settling in, we decided to order Spicy California roll and Northshore roll. Our food arrived relatively quickly; although there was an error with our order, it was immediately fixed. The manager apologized for the inconvenience and even returned with complimentary dumplings, which we greatly appreciated.
Figure 3. Spicy California Roll (Imitation crab tossed in spicy mayo, cucumber, avocado, and fiery sriracha mayo)
I love the combination of perfectly vinegared sushi rice, toasted seaweed, creamy avocado, crispy cucumber, and imitation crab meat – all rolled up and lightly dipped in soy sauce. The simple addition of sriracha and creamy Japanese mayonnaise elevates the dish’s flavor profile to an entirely new level. Each piece has a lovely sheen from the fresh fish with a crunch texture, and the rice is a perfect consistency.
Figure 4. Northshore Roll (BBQ salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, tempura bits, eel sauce)
Is there anything better than the flavor of savory bbq salmon and luscious cream cheese? The tempura bits gave it a crunch, while the cucumber added some freshness. It is a delicious Western twist on traditional Japanese sushi.
The gyoza, or potstickers, were also delicious, with a lovely, crisp exterior. Not too greasy and packed with just the right amount of meat and vegetables.
The pricing at Blue Fish is incredibly affordable; however, they do not compromise on quality and presentation. I paid $17 tax included ($6 spicy California roll, $12 Northshore roll). The owner gave us a 15% discount for the order mix-up inconvenience.
Sushi Mura (reviewed by Joyce)
Price: 💸
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: 1021 McGill Rd, Kamloops, BC
Website: http://kamloopssushimura.ca/
Sushi Mura is one of the most prominent sushi restaurants in Kamloops. The restaurant has a beautiful and peaceful design with a cherry blossom tree decorated at the corner, giving the feeling of being in the middle of Japan. The cozy atmosphere here is ideal for enjoying fresh fish with the taste of the sea with family and friends.
Figure 5. Sushi Mura, in the Sahali area
Sushi Mura is about generous portions, outstanding service, and delicious food. Its proximity to TRU and the Tournament Capital Centre makes it the perfect place to stop by for lunch for students, campus staff, and athletes. Menu options include delicious appetizers, savory sushi rolls, and Korean barbecue specials. Most main courses come with miso soup, a wonderful blend of miso paste, tofu, seaweed, and scallions.
To deal with staff shortages after COVID-19, the restaurant has integrated technology into their service when operating a cat robot to assist servers. This unique electric-powered “server” has brought customers a new and exciting experience.
Figure 6. The cat robot at Sushi Mura
I have eaten here a few times and have been impressed with the quality of the food and service. My favorite appetizers are chicken karaage (deep-fried chicken) and calamari tempura (deep-fried squid). These are two dishes with unforgettable and unique flavors, unlike what I have eaten at other sushi restaurants in Kamloops. For the main entrees, I recommend BBQ eel roll (roll with Japanese egg, cucumber, avocado, and grilled eel topped with sweet sauce) and rainbow roll (California roll with three types of raw fish and shrimp and avocado with sweet sauce and fish eggs on top). Pieces of sushi with mouth-watering flavor and a bit of smooth taste will make you irresistible.
Figure 7. Rainbow Roll (California roll with tuna, tai, salmon, ebi, and avocado with sweet sauce and fish eggs on top)
The food price at Sushi Mura is reasonable compared to other competitors in the area. I shared my last meal of three appetizers, two rolls, and one Korean dish with four other friends, and each paid just over $20 after tax. This price has been discounted by 10% for TRU students.
Arigato Sushi (reviewed by Honey and Joyce)
Price: 💸💸💸
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location: 1395 Hillside Dr #70, Kamloops, BC
Website: http://arigatosushi.ca/
Figure 8. Arigato Sushi, in the Aberdeen area
Arigato Sushi is a famous sushi restaurant in Kamloops. Through many times of changing owners and selling brands, the restaurant now has two unrelated establishments with the same name. The restaurant we want to mention here is located in the Aberdeen area. Arigato Sushi has been honored at the top three of the best Japanese restaurants voted by customers in Kamloops for many consecutive years.
Customers who love the casual atmosphere and traditional Japanese wooden decor will enjoy their time at Arigato Sushi. The restaurant prides itself on satisfying even the most demanding diners with fresh food and flavor-filled fixings. Restaurant owners and chefs are always looking for ways to update their menus to suit the needs of their customers and creatively arrange the special rolls on the plate. For example, the volcano roll is pictured as an erupting volcano; in reality, it is a deep-fried skinny dynamite roll with mixed spicy tuna, crab meat, tempura crunchies, and three chef’s sauce on top.
Figure 9. Volcano Roll (deep-fried skinny dynamite roll with mixed spicy tuna, crab meat, tempura crunchies, and three chef’s sauce on top)
For anyone planning to eat at Arigato Sushi, start with a bite of panko tuna, a signature breaded tuna appetizer with sweet chili sauce. The dish is crispy on the outside, and the inside is an undercooked slice of tuna dipped in a mildly spicy, aromatic sauce. The special rolls come in various flavors and have vegetarian or gluten-free options.
We rate the prices here higher than the general average. The reason is that the restaurant has been open for many years and has a proven track record of quality. A meal for the average person can range from $25 to $30 after tax. Service is a bit slower than before due to the lack of staff, but the fresh taste of raw fish is worth a try.
Pro tip: You cannot miss a plate of cool mango or green tea ice cream with a slice of Japanese cheesecake served with fruit and whipped cream.
Whether you’re a local or a first-time tourist, you’re in for a tasty experience at one of these sushi restaurants. From sumptuous bento boxes to fresh rolls, the best sushi in Kamloops seems to get better with every bite. After you’ve tried all the incredible Japanese restaurants in Kamloops, you’ll be eager to learn more about what the rich culture offers.
