65% of the 2,450 metric tonnes of Spot Prawns harvested annually in BC come from the waters between Vancouver Island and the Vancouver. How lucky are we to live in this great land! Seriously. Just take a moment to appreciate our cultural bounty!
Hapa Izakaya in Coal Harbour does an incredible Spot Prawn! Their Spot Prawn menu is straight to the point; a sashimi appetizer and a Spot Prawn Mushiyaki entrée. If you like Spot Prawns and you like sashimi then you can't help but appreciate their incredibly fresh prawns served on ice with lemons and limes accompanied by their heads, deep fried! The prawns were pulled from the water that day and were incredibly sweet. The heads, which I generally disregard, were very tasty in their light tempura batter and deep fried perfectly.
Spot Prawn Sashimi with Deep Fried Heads
Before our entrée arrived our feast was brought out for our inspection. Lively and wriggling their freshness was verified by eyewitness account. They are cooked in the traditional Japanese Mushiyaki style, translates to 'steaming cooking' in English and came out cooked perfectly. The mixture of soy, garlic and butter was the perfect compliment and the dish, with, or perhaps in spite of its simplicity, was near perfect.
Spot Prawn Mushiyaki - PREP
Spot Prawn Mushiyaki in Clear Cooking Film to be steamed
Spot Prawn Mushiyaki - STEAMED
Ready to be served
Spot Prawn Mushiyaki - Ready to Eat!
The restaurant is lovely, the location is excellent, a mere stone's throw to the Burrard Inlet and the cruise ship terminal, the wait staff were polite and genuine and the food and drink is reasonably priced and the selection well varied; something for everyone! Do yourself a favour and head down there Rumour has it their Happy Hour, sorry Hapa Hour, is incredible. Could be a good way to dip your toe in the pool!
Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan