Author Archives: shingohmasuda@gmail.com

Christmas Donation @ Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau!

Christmas to Vancouver Children!

December 24th, 2022

Merry Christmas, everybody!! It is surely the most wonderful day of the year! Kamei Royale is lucky to have great guests from the people of Vancouver. And we were thinking about how we can return something. And we came up with an idea!

We have donated over 300 brand-new toys to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau so these toys can reach children who need them most. Without toys, there wouldn’t be a smile on any kid’s face.

Kamei Royale has been around for over 50 years in Vancouver and grandchildren of our original customers now became our current guests. It is truly amazing how time goes by so fast. So we thought of offering something back to the next generation would be best for this Christmas!

The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, where we donated, is located at 
968 E Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4B8, (604) 253-7191

People here are trying their best to offer something unique to our society. If you can support them, please do so. Every support you offer can put another smile on our children.

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

PICO Live Music @ Kamei Royale

Koku Music Live @ Kamei Royale

December 13th, 2022

Kamei Royale is now collaborating with artists to offer a live performance during our dinner time! This week we will be having Japanese Koto played by Pico Masaki!

Pico is a Zen singer and songwriter as well as Koto (traditional Japanese instrument) and piano player. She will perform at Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant this Friday, December 16th, 2022!

If you like to know more about Pico, she has a dedicated Instagram account and YouTube Channel below!

Pico Masaki (@picomasaki) • Instagram photos and videos

 

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

Kamei Omakase Course Begun

Kamei Royale Omakase Course

Starting December 2nd, Friday!

November 27, 2022

It’s here! Kamei Royale is now offering our own Omakase Course Menu!

Starting December 2nd, Friday, we will be offering three levels of the Omakase course at Kamei Royale. Each course menu comes with an option to add sake pairing. Out of the three, two Omakase courses are available to order at the restaurant, and the “Snow Crab Shabu Shabu Course” will require a prior day reservation. Please give us a call at 604-687-8588 for prior reservation.

We are currently offering these course menus below profit pricing. Please take advantage of this time before the price becomes adjusted!

Our standard “Royale Course” is great for all sorts of occasions. It has all the surprises you need to make your night special.
Sake Pairing for all three courses contains Kamei Sake, Karakuchi Junmai Yaemon, Dassai “45”, Sake One Pearl Momokawa, and Momotose sake.

Boost your course menu with just $28 more. Make your dinner memorable with Japanese Wagyu beef! This course menu’s value is unbeatable!

Lastly, our highest course, “Snow Crab Shabu Shabu” does require a day prior reservation, but the wait is well deserved. We will be offering a fresh, and juicy snow crab served in Shabu Shabu style to preserve the flavor the best!
Do not leave your table before you finish our dessert!

They will refresh your palate and close your dinner beautifully.

Please give us a call at 604-687-8588 to book your party!

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

Party @ Kamei Royale!

Party @ Kamei Royale

October 04, 2022

Book our Karaoke Lounge area in advance to sing, drink, and socialize with your friends, family, and coworkers!

 

Our open space Karaoke lounge is a great location to open a party. You can sing with your friends or if you are confident, you are welcome to stand up and display your karaoke skills in front of your guests! 

Karaoke Lounge booking is available for Friday and Saturday nights; however, we are happy to open the door on other days with advance booking.

Please give us a call at 604-687-8588 to book your party!

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

Selfie with Kamei Samurai

Selfie with Kamei Samurai

September 6, 2022

Samurai is popular. But not just because they are one of the deadliest warriors in history but because they are a symbol of protection for restaurants!

Having samurai armor facing the entrance is said to deteriorate any negative invasion into the restaurant premise. And for any existing negative energies within the restaurant, the armor will drive them out. The idea of this comes from the Samurai armor’s iconic mask. 

Though the samurai do not wear the mask in actual combat since the warriors prefer better vision and breathing instead, the masks are worn just before the battle to intimidate their opponent. The presence of gorgeous armor with a fear-striking mask was very much effective in making their enemies imagine their deadly end.

Some may think extra protection for their face is more beneficial than having better vision and breathing but samurai combat is very much different from European knights. Knight armors are designed to deflect and protect the users while samurai are expected to dodge and push the enemy attack in a different direction. The concept of how their weapons and armor are designed are nothing alike. Knight armor is heavier while giving far better protection and samurai armor offers less protection but offers far better agility. For this, better visuals and breathing are ideal for the samurais.

Anyhow, let’s skip the history class. Our Kamei Samurai armor is located right at the end of the entrance hall facing directly toward the outside door. Come on and take a selfie with it! The armor is added to deflect any negative energy. It may help you too if you are experiencing bad luck.

To those who may wonder, this is a Heian-era Samurai armor with its iconic large shielded shoulder plate. It is the era when Samurai were most known for their honor and respect even toward their enemies.

Don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful collection of samurai helmets and traditional Japanese decorations at the entrance. Though the size is smaller, the helmet is made by a real Japanese armorist.

Yes, this 1/4 scale armor is also made by a real samurai armorist. It’s very rare and one of a kind even in Japan. This particular item is well known to bring great fortune to children.

Don’t forget to post your selfie photo with the Kamei Samurai on your Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!! In Japan, people believed photos had a special energy. By spreading your selfie with the Kamei Samurai, you might be protected from negative energies!

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

Cold x Hot: Which Sake is the Best?

Choosing Hot or Cold

August 17, 2022

Unlike beer and wine, sake can be served cold and or hot right?
Actually, it’s yes and no.
Originally, sake was taken at room temperature simply because we did not have a refrigerator back then. So we enjoyed it as is or by heating it. Thus, hot sake came before the cold one. And hot sake was popular for two reasons. One is a good reason. Another is not so much.

The good reason to serve sake hot is quite obvious. It helps us warm up. Japan is a humid and hot country but it is quite cold during the winter. Tokyo today is colder during the winter compared to Vancouver. Not to mention, it was much colder back then since global warming wasn’t an issue. Living in a paper and wood base home during winter wasn’t pleasant. Heating a sake helped make yourself warm.

So what is the bad reason to heat up sake? Same as cooling a red wine. Poor quality sake and wine have a bitter and distasteful odor. To hide the unpleasant smell or even the taste, sake was heated. Much like why some people put poor-quality red wine in a cooler to hide its smell. In a way, because heating these poor quality sakes do hide the odor in some capacity, it could be considered a good thing but the reality of producing these level of sake isn’t necessarily good. Yes, it’s understandable back then when we did not have much of a choice. But today when there is an abundance of choices, these cheap sakes are only made because of cost efficiency.

So does it mean hot sake is poor quality? No. Selected sake was made to be better served hot. But overall, we do not heat up high-quality sake. The majority of the best sake is served cold.

Cooling a sake would sharpen the flavor and that is why most sake is served cold today. Some sake can be chilled or heated and if that was the case, you may choose but unless otherwise, sake is served best chilled.

So, which sake can be served hot? Gekkeikan is known to be the best popular. The most standard sake you can find in almost any Japanese restaurant in Vancouver. It isn’t necessarily a premium class sake but heating Gekkeikan would sharpen its texture and smell by ten times. Shouchikubai is also another great choice. But which sake would you suggest chilled?

All sake we offer on our menu can be served chilled. But the popular ones are the Dassai, Goku Jo, Tama-No-Hikari. You can’t go wrong with these. But how about those that can handle both hot and cold? Yes, we have an answer for that too!

Our original sake, “Kamei Sake” is the best go-to for serving cold or hot! We specifically made this sake to be the standard of premium sake that can match nearly all types of food! Also, we have the Kissho Zuiyo and Karakuchi Junmai Yaemon which can be served cold or hot too. If you want the aromatic flavor, Kissho Zuiyo would not disappoint. But if you want a bit more punch, Karakuchi Junmai Yaemon is the way to go!

Kamei Sake comes in two sizes. 720ml and 300ml. And yes, you can purchase and take home to enjoy at your home!

Kamei Sake is produced by Kamei Royale and a bottle designed by the manager Shingo Masuda. The sake is created by the sake master Mr. Sato from Yamatogawa Brewery in Japan and the project was made happen by Mr. Watai and his daughter Ayaka from the well-known Jizake Japan in Canada. Please ask your server for details!

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

Kamon is a Traditional Emblem

Kamon is a Family Emblem

July 08, 2022

You might have seen these unique symbols in Japanese houses and companies and wondered what exactly they are. These are “Kamon”. A “family emblem” is passed down from generation to generation and often find these emblems at the entrance of the house or building. That is why it is spelled Ka – Mon where “Ka” means “family” and “Mon” means “door”.

Many Japanese households back then had their unique Kamon, but these emblems are only passed down to those who acquired the family name; today, most have vanished into the past.

Some Kamon’s are created to represent their clan which is usually recognized by the Japanese Government. It is something one does not create to fancy their brand or name since such acts are known to be embarrassing in Japanese culture. That said, we do see this practice very often today.

Kamon isn’t a logo. But many misunderstand and think Kamon is one. Kamon is something you inherit as a family or a clan. It is passed from generation to generation while logos can be made, changed, tossed away, or merged with another logo. And we can also see the difference between Kamon the and logo from a cultural perspective. For example, we know a lot of image or non-text-based logos in the west while in Japan, most logos are text base.

Above are the Japanese logos. And yes, recent Japanese logos do have non-text designs but long successful Japanese brands tend to be text-based. That is because many Kamon are image-based and the Japanese do not like to mix Kamons with logos. We do have text-designed Kamon but the majority aren’t.

Kamon is an identity of your family history and or clan. It’s something you stand for. One who carries their Kamon will be very aware of their own actions so that he/she would not disrespect their family and clan. Because Kamon is taken so seriously, it would be a shame for anyone who attempts to tamper or create their own Kamon thinking that it will make them look fancier.

Kamei Royale’s five-petal Sakura flower emblem is a Kamon representing the Kamei family which originated from Tsukiji and perhaps, we are the only Japanese restaurant in Canada that has the true Kamon shining at our doorsteps. We have well over 150 years of history as a Japanese restaurant in Tsukiji, but our Kamei Kamon has been around for multiple centuries. Kamei Royale is also traditional in its core family background.

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

History of Kamei Royale

The History of Kamei Royale

January 30, 2022

This year is the 50th anniversary of Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant.

Kamei Royale originated from Kamei Sushi from Tsukiji, the largest fishing market in the world for hundreds of years.

Delivering a restaurant with a history well over 150 years from Tsukiji to Vancouver wasn’t an easy task. We were not interested in simply bringing its name. We need to replicate the experience. And to do so, we brought professional chefs and servers from Japan raising the bar for Japanese cuisine in BC.

In fact, Kamei Royale offered the most jobs and visas to Japanese and has contributed to expanding not only Japanese cuisine but culture in BC. We have collaborated with many growing Japanese industries and became the pioneer of Japanese cultural expansion here.

Our founder, Toshiaki Masuda first opened his company Vancouver Holdings Ltd. in 1956 and expanded from here. And the year he opened Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant’s doors was 1972 making this year (2022) our 50th anniversary. We are officially the longest-running Japanese restaurant in BC and the only remaining Japanese restaurant starter. The image is the emblem that Vancouver City sent to us in 2006 for being one of the longest-running businesses making this year the 66th anniversary!

We weren’t sure if it was us who was successful in catching the heart of the people in BC or simply people of BC needed something different. Perhaps both. Our restaurant became successful immediately with having the longest lineup Vancouver ever experienced. We literally had several blocks of customers lining up waiting to enjoy our service. And we were so honored that we were welcomed by the friendly guests of BC.

After hundreds of our prior staff departed and opened their own business, the Japanese restaurant became the most abundant cuisine in Vancouver. Expanding from BC, Japanese restaurants have flourished in Toronto and other provinces. We even have staff who opened their business in the United States and we are proud of them!

Today, Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant is located at 1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver within Oceanic Plaza in the Coal Harbor area. Known as the first and currently, the only restaurant where the servers wear the traditional Japanese Kimono, our crew is looking forward to welcoming our guests with dishes decorated with traditional and fusion Japanese cuisines by our experienced chefs.

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2

New Website Open!

Kamei Royale New Website Opened!

June 30, 2022

Long overdue!!
That is exactly what we thought our website was and we are happy to finally offer a modernized version of our updated Kamei Royale Website!

It was 1972 when we first opened our doors and this is our 50th anniversary! There is no other better way to celebrate but to offer something new to our great guests!

And offering a new website isn’t the only thing we are doing for our 50th anniversary! We are planning something big and special for our guests! Please look forward to the upcoming announcement!

So what exactly is this blog page about?
It’s everything and anything to do with Japanese culture within Canada. As the longest-running and the only surviving Japanese restaurant starter in BC, we lived and know the history of how Japanese cuisine spread in BC the most.

Our History Blog will be focusing on Japanese culture and how Japanese cuisine spread all around BC and outside BC.
We wish you enjoy our blogs!

Where we at

Business Hours:

Monday – Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:00pm

Friday (Lunch & Dinner)

11:30am – 2:30pm
4:30pm – 9:30pm

Saturday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday (Dinner)

5:00pm – 9:00pm

Happy Hour Monday – Friday

4:30pm – 6:30pm

Karaoke Thursday – Saturday

9:30pm – Late

Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant
604-687-8588
1066 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3X2