Minato Sushi

Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. That’s what Sung and Shun Lim believe. And word is getting out about Minato Sushi, the Japanese restaurant they have owned and operated since January 2003.

Sung and Shun came to Powell River in 2002 with the dream of opening their own Japanese restaurant. Sung, who is originally from Korea, had been working as a chef in Vancouver for 10 years.

“We had a friend in Powell River who encouraged us to visit the town, and when we got here, we liked it. It was clean, the people were nice, and it’s beautiful.”

They believed that Powell River was the right kind of place to open a Japanese restaurant.

“It has a good population…and most people already knew Japanese food,” Sung says.

They originally set up shop in the Rodmay Hotel, but in less than a year they had relocated to their current location on Joyce Avenue. They went to Community Futures for financial assistance for the renovations on the restaurant’s new home.

Lots of Powell Riverites have tried Japanese food for the first time at Minato Sushi, and most of them love it!

“Customers like my food,” Sung says. “Most people think Japanese food is raw, but that’s not true. There are lots of hot dishes. People come and try it. Then they bring their friends, and they tell their friends. Word of mouth is the best way.”

The most rewarding thing, Shun says, is when their customers leave satisfied. She waits on tables at Minato Sushi, and is also learning her way around the restaurant’s kitchen. She speaks proudly of her husband’s original sauces, and how they make Minato Sushi’s fare somewhat unique.

“Being a chef is like being an artist,” Sung says. “I like the colours, and I like to decorate things to make them look fancy.”

Owning their own business is a dream come true for the Lims.

“We can make more money this way, instead of working for someone else. I can do my own thing and try out my own recipes,” Sung says. “I like the freedom to make my own recipes.”

And their dreams continue to grow. Sung hopes that one day they will be able to expand the restaurant, buy the whole building and renovate it into an authentic Japanese-style building.