After a LONG delay, it looks like Miku’s Richmond outpost is finally opening up.
We first reported on the Richmond expansion last year, when the restaurant was expected to open in summer 2025.
Well, a Noms Magazine community member (chow_withcheery) recently spotted soft opening signs at the Miku location inside River Rock Casino Resort.
It turns out the restaurant had already done a quiet test run with friends and family over the weekend.
Now, after giving them a poke, the team behind Miku has officially confirmed that the Richmond location will begin its soft opening on February 17, 2026, with limited capacity.
The new restaurant makes this Miku’s second location in Metro Vancouver after the original Coal Harbour spot, which opened back in 2008.
The River Rock space is nearly 4,900 sq.ft with 80 seats, including a sushi counter.
Inside, the dining room features a centrepiece artwork by longtime Miku collaborator Hideki Kimura, a Japanese artist whose signature print anchors the room.
The rest of the space follows Miku’s signature style, with blue velvet seating, warm wood tones, globe pendant lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Fraser River.
The kitchen is being led by Aburi Restaurants Canada’s executive chef, Kazuhiro Hayashi, while front-of-house operations are headed by Barnaby Malong, the longtime general manager of sister restaurant Minami.
The menu features many of Miku’s most well-known dishes.
That includes the iconic flame-seared Aburi Oshi Sushi, which Miku is widely credited with pioneering and popularizing in Canada, along with the Ebi Fritters, Iwate Wagyu Carpaccio, Spicy Kaisen Soba Peperoncino, and Saikyo Miso Sablefish.
For dessert, the Green Tea Opera is on the menu, a signature that has been at Miku Vancouver since day one.
Traditional nigiri and sashimi selections are also available.
“We have many loyal guests who are either travellers to our beautiful province or live in Richmond,” said Seigo Nakamura, founder and CEO of Aburi Restaurants Canada.
“River Rock is an ideal setting for our second Miku location in Metro Vancouver, especially given its proximity to the airport.”
Miku is recommended by the MICHELIN Guide and is one of the most recognized Japanese restaurants in the country.
Aburi Restaurants Canada, founded by Nakamura, also operates Minami, TORA, and Toronto’s one-Michelin-star Aburi Hana, among others.
The Richmond location joins River Rock Casino Resort alongside Gordon Ramsay Steak, which also opened at the property last year.
Miku Richmond will be joining other recently opened food spots in Richmond like The Food Court, Cotti Coffee Lansdowne, and Nonbiri Cafe.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 8811 River Road, Richmond, BC (inside River Rock Casino Resort)