Vancouver's tastiest food blog.

Craving a home style Japanese meal just like grandma used to make?
Don’t have a Japanese Grandma?

No problem.

Hi Genki serves up Japanese comfort food and, oddly enough, is located inside the cafeteria of a Japanese senior’s residence.

Yup – you read that right. Hi Genki doubles as both a public restaurant and as a cafeteria providing meals for the fine folks at Nikkei Home and New Sakura-so, two senior’s residences adjacent to the National Nikkei Heritage Centre. Although, you need to be 55+ to live at Nikkei Home, you only need an empty stomach to dine at Hi Genki. You don’t even need that much $. Meals are priced reasonably (most are under $10).

This isn’t your typical Japanese sushi house. Although sushi is available as a side, Hi Genki’s focus is on donburi and udon.

Pictured above is the Spicy Karaage Don (spicy fried chicken in rice) – $7.50. It’s yummy. The deep fried chicken is succulent and nottoospicy. The rice and veggies are nice. Simple, fresh, and tasty.

To the left, Sukiyaki Don (sliced beef, egg, tofu on rice) – $6.95. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the spicy karaage, not enough flavor. But again, the ingredients are fresh and tasty.

The service is great: the waitresses are very kind, polite, and speedy. Residents would have it no other way. This probably also explains the traditional and delicious meals.

Vancouver is saturated with cool and glitzy Japanese restaurants with overpriced menus. They’re fun, but sometimes you just want a comforting homecooked meal. If your-self/friends/family are not willing to cook you that meal, do check out Hi Genki - it’s the next best thing (and super cool in it’s own quirky way).

Hi Genki
6680 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
604.777.0533

Open Monday – Sunday
Lunch: 11am – 3pm
Dinner: 6pm – 9pm