March 31st - Bay Sushi Cafe Express - Vancouver

Lunches at work are often a handful of nuts or microwave popcorn. When I am fortunate enough to get half an hour between meetings or calls around midday, I run out for Sushi.  If I am feeling Sushi-d-out, I may grab a muffin.  But I have to admit, I could probably have sushi on most days for lunch.  It is definitely an easy proposition in Vancouver.  There is affordable sushi everywhere.  There is great sushi as well but affordable for lunch is great considering how hard that was to get in England.  That said, there is cheap and bad sushi everywhere too.  I would avoid most of the sushi on Dunsmuir between Seymour and Richards.  I have tried all three.  Blech.

My favourite 'affordable' sushi is a bit too far a run for lunch. I decided to pop into Bay Sushi Cafe Express for the first time about 6 months ago.  It is more expensive than the ones closer to Davie but still a very good deal at 7$.  They do not offer you free miso soup with the sushi but there is a free tea urn that you can even takeaway.

I would say I probably eat here at least 1-2 a week for lunch for those days I can get away.  I normally get the Sushi Special A.  They have daily sushi specials that are 16 pieces of a 3 different rolls.  The rolls are normally a combination of: Salmon and Avocado, Spicy Tuna, Spicy Tuna and Avocado, California, Asparagus Tempura, Yam Tempura and Avocado.  The Asparagus is alright if you go there early during lunch time, otherwise it goes soggy as they make it in volume for the special.  The Salmon and Avocado is great as is the Spicy Tuna.

Today, I did not fancy the special as I did not want the Yam roll so I ordered off the regular menu.  I ordered the Roll Combo which is 8 pieces of California Roll and 8 pieces of  B.C. Roll.  Their California roll is pretty good.  They use mince pollack and a nice fresh piece of avocado.  The B.C. Roll was a disappointment.  A good B.C. Roll should have crispy Salmon Skin with Cucumber and Roe topped with a Sweet Hoisin-like sauce.  This one had a bare sliver of cucumber and a added Avocado which I did not mind.  However, the Salmon was like flaked tinned Salmon with Mayonnaise.  It tasted acceptable but it was NOT  a B.C. Roll. I think I will stick with the Daily Special for their sushi.

They do have loads of other sushi rolls, Nigiri, Sashimi on offer as well.  Also, they also have Soups, Noodles, Bentos and an insanely delicious looking Sashimi Donburi bowl I have seen people order who stay in.  I keep saying to myself that that is what I will order when I have time to sit down.

Cost: $-$$
Ambience: Quick cafe
Location: Downtown across from the Granville Skytrain
Staff: Scattered but friendly.

Sushi Bay Cafe Express

678 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
604.806.0363