When it comes to Japanese yakitori in Vancouver, the options have been pretty limited.
Zakkushi is probably what comes to mind.
But now, the city has finally gotten a fresh new contender—and it’s already fully booked for the rest of February.
Meet Sumibiyaki Arashi, a highly intimate 18-seat omakase yakitori experience led by Chef Pete Ho, on East Broadway.
This isn’t your typical skewer spot—this is charcoal grilling as an art form.
Each skewer here meets binchotan charcoal, extracting deep, clean flavours through a perfect balance of fire, time, and technique.
While yakitori is the foundation, the menu extends beyond it, incorporating seasonal fish and vegetable-forward dishes with unexpected textures and flavours.
The entire experience is designed to engage all five senses, creating a thoughtful, immersive, and deeply personal meal.
Chef Pete’s dedication to the craft didn’t happen overnight.
Since 2023, he’s been quietly refining Sumibiyaki Arashi, building it from the ground up and collaborating with some of Vancouver’s top chefs, including Chef Angus An (Maenam) and Chef Hilary Nguy (Sushi Hil) for pop up events.
But his journey and love for yakitori started long ago.
According to the report by Scout Magazine, his first restaurant job was at Joe Forte’s in 2001, and the real turning point came later, during an apprenticeship under Chef Seiji Yamamoto at Michelin-starred Nihonryori RyuGin in Tokyo.
His passion for yakitori truly ignited in 2017, when he trained under Michelin-starred yakitori master Yoshiteru Ikegawa of Torishiki.
This level of precision means dining at Sumibiyaki Arashi requires commitment.
At $160 per person and only two seatings per night, expect to spend 2.5 hours fully immersed in the experience.
For those lucky enough to score a seat, expect a symphony of flavours, expert pacing, and an atmosphere that turns yakitori into an art form.
For everyone else?
Keep an eye out for future bookings (March bookings open Feb 17), because this is one of Vancouver’s most anticipated omakase openings in recent memory.
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Address: 363 E Broadway, Vancouver BC