Another Metro Vancouver restaurant just landed a very high-profile guest, and this one came with a lot of warmth.
Prime Minister Mark Carney made a visit to Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant in Richmond on April 7, stopping in during a campaign swing through British Columbia.
The restaurant shared the news on Instagram with a framed photo of Carney posing alongside the Tsukiji team, flashing smiles and thumbs up for the camera.
“We were honoured to welcome Prime Minister Mark Carney to Tsukiji Richmond,” the restaurant wrote in the caption.
Tsukiji noted that what stood out most to them was Carney’s warmth and approachability.
“He took the time to greet everyone and graciously accept every photo request with a sincere smile,” the post read.
The restaurant closed the message by thanking Carney for his visit and his kindness.
Tsukiji is a Japanese restaurant located on Garden City Road in Richmond, and it has been quietly serving the community since 2003.
The restaurant was originally founded by a legacy chef and a passionate waitress who wanted to share traditional Japanese cuisine with the local community.
Many of the signature dishes still on the menu today were created by that original chef.
After he passed away, the kitchen was led by Chef Kobayashi, who also passed away in 2018.
The current head chef is Chef Kobayashi’s last apprentice and specializes in sashimi and cold appetizers, carrying on a lineage that spans more than two decades.
Tsukiji imports fresh fish from Japan daily and is known for its commitment to traditional Japanese cooking culture and a cozy, friendly atmosphere.
This is not the first time Carney has been spotted dropping by a beloved Metro Vancouver food spot during a campaign visit.
Earlier this year, he was seen at Continental Seafood Restaurant in Richmond celebrating Lunar New Year over dim sum, where he handed out red pockets filled with gold coin chocolates.
He was also previously photographed at New Town Bakery in Vancouver’s Chinatown, leaving with a bag of the bakery’s iconic steamed buns after chatting with staff.
And during the Women’s Olympic Hockey Final, Carney was spotted watching the gold medal game at the Metrotown White Spot in Burnaby, decked out in a red Team Canada jersey with a White Spot burger in front of him.
The Tsukiji visit adds another Metro Vancouver food stop to what has become a growing list of Carney’s local dining moments.
It also comes on the same day Carney spoke to supporters at a campaign rally in Richmond, making it clear that the region has become a regular stop on his political tour.
Tsukiji’s team seemed genuinely appreciative of the visit, with staff describing it as a night of genuine warmth.
Whether you’re in it for the politics or just curious about where the Prime Minister chooses to eat, Tsukiji just became one of Richmond’s most talked-about Japanese spots of the week.
Would you have expected the Prime Minister to pop into your sushi spot?
Address: 130-4751 Garden City Road, Richmond, BC