Sustainable Sushi PodMob targets Sushi Bento Express
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Tiny Bites Consulting
November 21, 2008
Vancouver often feels like a small place despite its standing as the third largest city in Canada. While it’s easier than expected to run into someone you haven’t seen in years, such encounters don’t tend to happen in the midst of a mob. But that’s exactly how I’ve crossed paths (twice!) with elementary school pal Johnny Flores who, along with brothers Allan and Jonathan Flores, runs the small but vibrant Sushi Bento Express along the Robson Street corridor.
The first mob-induced run-in with Johnny occurred as Canucks fans flooded Robson after a particularly satisfying playoff win. There was only enough time to register surprise and share a celebratory “woo!” before the crowd swept us apart. When I relayed the incident to my brother, who still kept in touch with the Flores brothers, he shared news of their restoration of the former Sushi World Bento Express. I had always intended to check it out but never did manage to stop in for a bite.
Fast forward one year to this week. Buzz was building in the local Twitter sphere about a pseudo-flash mob event to encourage “sustainable sushi”—an outcome long wished for by myself and apparently a growing number of residents in the downtown core. I took note of the venue for November 20th: Sushi Bento Express. The name tugged at the cobwebs of my memory but I didn’t put two and two together until I headed over for dinner that evening.
Behind the open counter were the Flores men, churning out sushi for the steady stream of visitors that flowed in for the start of the dinner rush. My husband and I grabbed a table none too soon; nearly all the seats were occupied within minutes of placing our order.
Since the signs plastered throughout the restaurant were fiercely promoting the sustainable sushi concept, I felt compelled to choose my meal from the 3 items that were featured as sustainable choices. I went with the assorted sashimi: 2 pieces each of salmon, hamachi, red tuna, and toro for $14.
Each slice was popping with freshness and colour. Presentation elicited aahs from myself and my husband, and I immediately reached for the red tuna that was begging me to try it first. I was not disappointed—not with the red tuna nor with the other specimens on my plate. The visuals, texture, and taste of the sashimi were a cut above the seafood I am accustomed to having at smaller sushi houses, and rivaled those of upscale establishments that charge significantly more for their fare.
My husband, who lunches on chicken teriyaki with high frequency, found Sushi Bento’s rendition to be similarly above par. He attacked his donburi with fervour and protested the loss of food that I stole for my taste test. Even better was the price point: $5.95 for the regular size we ordered, with small and large portions at $4.95 and $6.95, respectively.
We quickly released our table to the throng that was waiting to dine in. On the way out, I took a few minutes to say hello to my old schoolmate and inquire about Sushi Bento’s commitment to sustainable dining. Johnny and his brothers described that the majority of the seafood they already source is harvested in a sustainable manner. The tuna they serve is locally caught and wild salmon is their choice (as opposed to the farmed variety). Takeout containers pose the toughest challenge on their road to sustainable operation; the relative cost of biodegradable or compostable options are difficult to swallow. Thankfully, Sushi Bento’s efforts to be more environmentally conscious will be assisted by the financial contributions of the PodMob, a donated one-year membership to the Green Table Network, and interaction with sustainability groups like Ocean Wise (who had reps drop in for a peek).
I also had the chance to glean some PodMob background from Emily Jubenvill, senior editor at 3rd Whale and PodMob organizer, as she and other supporters welcomed guests at the entrance of Sushi Bento.
Emily told me how she canvassed sushi establishments in Vancouver’s West End, auctioning off publicity and the collective dollars of PodMob diners to the restaurant that pledged the largest percentage of one day’s revenue to greening initiatives. As you can see, Sushi Bento Express topped the list with their bid of 31%, and I’m so glad that they won. It gave me a reason to sample one of my brother’s recommended sushi joints for the first time, contribute to a worthy cause, and reconnect with a friend from yesteryear.
Quick Links
Emily raised awareness for PodMob through her blog, YouTube updates, social media, and coverage from CBC News and other Vancouver dailies. Below were the resources that helped me to learn more about sustainable seafood, the PodMob initiative, and the first such gathering at Sushi Bento Express.
I hope to see you at the next PodMob—wherever and whenever that may be.
- Emily Jubenvill’s PodMob posts on 3rdWhale.com
- Event Promotes Sustainable Sushi – November 20, 2008 (Westender.com)
- CBC News broadcast featuring Jonathan Flores and Emily Jubenvill – November 17, 2008 (on YouTube)
- Enviro group lures restaurants towards ’sustainable sushi’ – November 11, 2008 (CBC.ca)
- What makes a seafood item Ocean Wise? (Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise website)
Sushi Bento Express
1258 Robson Street | Vancouver
(604) 681-1150
Categories: Blogging for Social Change, Downtown, Events, Food, Going Green, Restaurants, West End
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[...] Hamilton from tinybites.ca, who won a box ad on my blog, reviews Sushi Bento Express, a small Japanese restaurant on Robson Street in Vancouver. Not only does the food look delicious [...]
WOW! What a coincidence that you know the Flores brothers from school! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the sushi. They’ve decided to keep the sustainable sushi menu full-time, and they’re going to pursue Ocean Wise certification. If you ever have a hankering for guilt-free sushi, you know where to get it!
Thank-you again for coming out on Thursday, it was great to meet you!
[...] you’re all for guilt-free sushi, but want to make sure to satisfy your taste-buds, Tiny Bites says Sushi Bento Express is a safe [...]
That’s great news, Emily. Thank you for the update. Looking forward to future PodMobs and other good stuff from 3rd Whale =)
[...] than Zen’s West Vancouver demographic. However, Johnny had participated last fall in a sustainable sushi PodMob and was on the fence about joining Ocean Wise as a bona fide [...]
If you guys think this place is SUSHI and JAPANESE food you obviously don’t go out much and you don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. This is a quickie, far from true sushi establishment. WOW you all have a lot to learn! I live downtown, more precisely I live on Haro St, nearly right behind Bento. My wife is from Japan, she has taken me to Japan a handful of times and I KNOW what REAL sushi is. The closest I’ve had in Vancouver’s west end was Sushi Mart on Robson. It’s made by real Japanese people and you’ll find the use of rice to be what standards in the sushi world are.