For 18 years, Richmond diners came to 120-9020 Capstan Way for sushi at Manzo Itamae.
Later this year, the same address will be home to Wabi Izakaya & Sushi Bar. Kingsley Ho, whose GoodChaos Hospitality runs The Story Café in Richmond and The Sequel Kitchen & Bar in Coal Harbour, is coming back to Richmond for his next restaurant.
Ho credits the neighbours who kept coming to The Story Café in its early days. “With Wabi, I also want it to be a place our neighbours can make their own for any occasion,” he says.
From the sushi counter to the kushiyaki grill
A sushi bar will stand at the centre of the 98-seat restaurant, where chefs will prepare nigiri and sashimi to order. The rest of the room takes its cues from a Zen garden, with three private dining rooms in the nearly 3,000-square-foot space.
There’s plenty to share beyond the sushi counter. Ho’s team is planning a full menu of kushiyaki (grilled skewers), alongside hamachi jalapeño crudo, uni seafood toast and A5 Miyazaki wagyu. The kitchen will make its desserts in-house, including matcha tiramisu and a panna cotta flavoured with hojicha, a roasted Japanese green tea.
What’s pouring at Wabi
Ayaka Suehiro is behind the Japanese-inspired cocktails. The drinks list will also include Japanese beer, premium sake and Japanese whiskies that are hard to find locally.
Wabi is aiming for a soft opening in late 2026. The team will announce the date on heywabi.com and Instagram at @wabiizakaya.
