It looks like a beloved sushi spot by Kits Beach has quietly served its final roll.
Kibune Sushi Restaurant has quietly shut down, marking the end of one of Vancouver’s longest-running Japanese restaurants.
The quaint, wood-paneled spot was operated by an elderly Japanese couple – Julie-San and Endo-San – who brought warmth and hospitality to every table for more than four decades.
Kibune opened its doors on July 1, 1982, making it one of the city’s oldest Japanese restaurants.
While it never chased the spotlight or social media fame, many online reviews and customers describe it as a hidden gem in Kitsilano.
People praised it for its authenticity and the tranquil, homey atmosphere.
The restaurant prided itself on its all-natural ingredients, avoiding MSG and crafting its soup stock from two types of fermented dried fish flakes and dried kelp.
It was the kind of place that started prepping broth the night before – because quality mattered.
The closure came to light when a Noms Mag community member (yellywyw) shared Richmond’s Syu Restaurant announcement that they would be opening a second location in Kitsilano.
They will be taking over Kibune’s old address.
Kibune’s quiet goodbye now joins a growing list of longtime Vancouver food spots lost this year, including Pizzeria Farina, Ma Dang Goul, and Penang Bistro.
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Address: 1508 Yew Street, Vancouver, BC V6K3E4