Vancouver has warmly embraced Peruvian cuisine over the past decade, but few restaurants have explored its depth and diversity quite like SUYO Modern Peruvian. Located in Mount Pleasant, the restaurant has earned a loyal following for chef Ricardo Valverde’s contemporary approach to one of the world’s most celebrated culinary traditions.

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Drawing inspiration from Peru’s Indigenous heritage alongside Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and Spanish influences, SUYO creates dishes that are deeply rooted in tradition while feeling distinctly modern. On our latest visit, we enjoyed an eleven-course tasting menu that showcased the breadth of the kitchen’s talent and the incredible ingredients available here in British Columbia.

The Tasting Menu Journey

The evening began with one of the restaurant’s signature dishes: Hokkaido Scallop Ceviche. Sweet scallops were paired with black garlic, Andean furikake, choclo (large-kernel Andean corn), and crunchy cancha (toasted corn), creating a dish that was bright, rich, and full of contrasting textures. It perfectly set the tone for the courses that followed.

The Hannah Brook Beet Salad transformed humble beets into something elegant, combining beetroot with potato, green peas, and smoked aioli. It was quickly followed by the White Asparagus Salad, where delicate asparagus was paired with a young carrot tart, silky ají amarillo hollandaise, and fresh pea tips for one of the prettiest presentations of the evening.

Warm Pan de Choclo arrived next, served with parmesan-garlic butter and black mint (huacatay) chimichurri. The sweet corn bread disappeared almost immediately and proved to be the perfect companion to the earlier courses.

Seafood continued to shine with the Prawn Anticuchero, featuring succulent prawns, vibrant ají verde, tarí sauce, and crisp choclo crumbs. The flavours balanced a rich depth with just enough spice to keep each bite exciting.

Next up were the Butifarra Sliders. Inspired by the beloved traditional Peruvian sandwich, these perfectly sized bites layered savoury flavours with salsa criolla (pickled onion salsa) and mustard aioli, making it impossible to eat just one.

The Kensington Farm Alpaca Tartare was another standout. Served with Andean focaccia, quail egg, and ají panca, the dish offered a beautifully balanced introduction to alpaca for diners who may not have tried it before. Tender, clean-tasting, and expertly seasoned, it demonstrated why chef Valverde continues to champion ingredients that are rarely seen on Vancouver menus.

Main Courses & Asian Influences

The largest savoury plates of the evening continued to impress. The Branzino Chicharrón paired crisp-skinned fish with XO fried rice, yu choy, and daikon encurtido (pickled daikon), masterfully blending Peruvian flavours with Asian influences (Chifa and Nikkei traditions) in a dish that felt comforting while remaining highly refined.

Then came one of the night’s ultimate highlights: Truffled Chicken Pappardelle. Wide ribbons of fresh pasta were coated in a velvety, caramelized ají amarillo sauce and finished with parmesan, walnuts, and parsley. Rich without feeling heavy, it delivered plenty of depth while allowing the subtle, fruity heat of the chili to shine through.

A Bright Sweet Ending

Dessert was every bit as memorable as the savoury courses.

The Matcha Pavlova combined crisp meringue with yuzu, honeydew, huacatay, and pistachio for a dessert that was refreshing, herbaceous, and beautifully balanced. It was followed by a Queso Fresco Mousse Cake layered with strawberry, toasted honey, yogurt, and citrus, ending the evening on a bright, elegant note.

With chef Ricardo Valverde at the helm, SUYO remains one of Vancouver’s most compelling dining destinations. The menu celebrates Peru’s extraordinary culinary heritage while embracing the incredible ingredients of the Pacific Northwest, resulting in a dining experience that feels both authentic and uniquely Vancouver. Whether you’re planning a special occasion, introducing friends to Peruvian cuisine, or simply looking for one of the city’s most memorable tasting experiences, SUYO is well worth booking.

• SUYO Modern Peruvian

  • 📍 Address: 3475 Main Street, Vancouver, BC

  • 🌐 Website: suyo.ca

  • 📸 Instagram: @suyorestaurant