West Coast

Aburi sushi — lightly torched so the fish just melts — found a home in Canada on the West Coast, where Vancouver’s sushi scene helped popularize the style. It’s elegant yet unfussy: warm, smoky top; cool, seasoned rice beneath. Perfect for a dinner party starter or a hands-on night at home.

West Coast meets weeknight: cedar-planked salmon, roast potatoes still warm from the oven, and a bright lemon–dill pickle dressing. Piled over crisp greens, it’s hearty enough for supper and sunny enough for a picnic—simple, fresh, and very Canadian.

Simple, coastal, and comforting, this creamy fish soup tastes at home from Norway’s harbours to Canada’s shores. Atlantic cod, Pacific haddock, or sweet East Coast shrimp settle into a gentle dill-scented broth with tender vegetables—nourishing after a windy day by the sea and proof that humble ingredients can feel memorable.

Bright, zesty, and beach-day simple, ceviche may be rooted in Mexico, but it feels at home in Canada too—especially with cold-water halibut, scallops, or spot prawns. Lime “cooks” the seafood until just opaque, then fresh tomatoes, onion, coriander, and a little heat turn it into sunshine in a bowl. It’s coastal cooking at its cleanest: crisp, vibrant, and made for sharing.

On Canada’s West Coast, salmon is more than food — it’s a way of life, a symbol of the coast itself. Flaky, tender salmon or trout served with a bright dill and caper sauce feels effortlessly elegant yet remains wonderfully simple. Piled on toasted bread or served over greens, it captures the balance of richness and freshness that defines West Coast cooking.

Some dishes prove that less is more — and garlic shrimp is one of them. Sizzling in olive oil, butter, garlic, and a touch of chili, shrimp transforms into something bold yet effortless. Served with crusty bread for dipping, it feels as at home in Canada as anywhere in the world — whether made with sweet Atlantic shrimp from the East or meaty West Coast spot prawns, it’s a dish that celebrates the richness of our coastal waters.

Tuna tataki — a Japanese classic of lightly seared tuna with a cool, raw centre — has found a home in Canada’s mosaic of flavours. On the West Coast, where sushi culture thrives and fresh seafood is part of daily life, tataki has become a favourite starter. This version takes on a Canadian twist with seasonal fruit: sweet peaches from Niagara or juicy mangoes from Toronto markets, adding brightness, balance, and a touch of local character.

Lobster salad may sound French, but in Canada it’s pure East Coast indulgence. Here, sweet Maritime lobster meets juicy mango in a pairing that feels both elegant and playful. Tossed in a basil–lemon mayo and scooped with crisp garlic toast triangles, it captures the brightness of Canadian summers — light, fresh, and made for sharing.

Crab is one of the great treasures of Canada’s coasts, prized for its sweet, delicate flavour. On the West Coast, Dungeness crab is a summer staple, often celebrated in crab boils and seaside feasts. Here it’s given an elegant twist — layered with creamy avocado, tart grapefruit, and silky crème fraîche. A drizzle of balsamic brings balance, while crisp garlic toast triangles make the perfect scoop.

This salad brings together Canadian favourites — shrimp and bacon — with the brightness of tropical fruit. Sweet prawns, juicy mango, and salty bacon or Parma ham meet crisp greens and homemade garlic croutons, all tied together with a zesty chili-lime dressing. It’s light yet satisfying, a dish that works as well on a snowy winter day as it does on a summer patio.

Salade Niçoise is one of those timeless French classics that has travelled beautifully, finding a place on Canadian tables, especially in Québec where French culinary traditions run deep. Fresh tuna seared rare, or even a can of olive-oil-packed tuna, brings substance to a platter of potatoes, beans, tomatoes, eggs, and olives. With its balance of colour, flavour, and texture, it feels rustic and elegant at once — a dish that shows how Canadian kitchens blend heritage with what’s fresh and local, like BC albacore tuna.

Crispy, golden, and comforting, tonkatsu is a Japanese favourite that has found a home in Canada, especially on the West Coast where Japanese food culture thrives. From restaurants in Vancouver’s Little Tokyo to family kitchens across the country, tonkatsu shows how Japanese flavours have blended seamlessly into Canadian dining. Served with crunchy cabbage, rice, and tangy sauce, it’s simple, balanced, and always satisfying.

Fish burgers are a West Coast classic — fresh, hearty, and full of the flavours of the sea. In Canada, tuna and salmon both play starring roles, whether seared and served rare in Victoria or grilled over cedar planks on the BC coast. These burgers balance smoky bacon, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomato with a bright pickle–caper mayo, all tucked into a soft homemade bun. It’s a dish that captures the casual, coastal spirit of Canadian summers.

Salmon and noodles may feel like a restaurant dish, but it’s one of those meals that’s quick, nourishing, and easy to adapt at home. Tender Canadian salmon or trout, crisp bok choy, and silky noodles come together with a soy-ginger sauce that’s savoury, sharp, and comforting. It’s the kind of dish that feels just as right for a weeknight dinner as it does for sharing with friends — simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying.

Cedar-planked salmon is a classic Canadian preparation with roots in Indigenous cooking traditions, where fish was smoked over fragrant cedar wood. Today, it remains a beloved West Coast dish — the cedar imparts a gentle smokiness while keeping the salmon moist and tender. The drizzle of maple syrup adds a touch of Canadian sweetness, balancing the rich, buttery fish.

Poke began in Hawaii as a fisherman’s snack: fresh cubes of raw fish, lightly seasoned and eaten straight from the catch. Today, it has become a vibrant, layered bowl of rice, seafood, and colourful toppings. In Canada, especially along the West Coast, poke found its home through sashimi-grade tuna from BC waters and the influence of Japanese food culture. What began as island simplicity is now a Canadian favourite — fresh, modern, and deeply multicultural.

First served in New York in the late 1800s, Eggs Benedict quickly found a second life in Canada. By the mid-20th century, it had become a brunch favourite in Montreal, Vancouver, and beyond — with local touches like West Coast smoked salmon, East Coast ham, or even lobster giving the dish its distinctly Canadian identity.

This dish takes me back to Toronto, where I first tried it at Mövenpick — a simple plate that felt both elegant and comforting. Crisp golden rösti topped with silky smoked salmon, a spoonful of cream cheese, and a perfectly poached egg turns humble ingredients into something restaurant-worthy. It’s the kind of dish that works at brunch, a holiday breakfast, or even as a light supper.