🍱 Business Spotlight: Wasabiya Japanese Sushi Café

toosweet333

Jul 27

4 min read

Updated: Aug 10

Some restaurants become part of your life. Wasabiya became part of mine. I helped open the restaurant years ago, and after all this time it's still one of my favourite places in Campbell River for fresh sushi, friendly faces, and flavours that never disappoint.avours that never disappoint.

🍣 How It All Started

Here's the honest story.

I was 16 I took a job at the Anchor Inn Hotel in Campbell River, working in the dining room as a busser. The hotel was one of the busiest places in town back then, with a packed restaurant, a busy bar, and even the occasional movie crew and celebrities staying there. It was an exciting place to work.

I was known for being quick and organized. Before long, one of the servers, Paula, decided she wanted me working in the sushi bar instead. There was just one problem—I was only 17. After a meeting with the hotel owner, they somehow managed to get me a fake ID so I could work at Sushi by the Sea. Looking back, it's hard to believe, but those were different times!

When I first tried sushi, I absolutely hated it. It took me a couple of years before I started enjoying it. As I experimented, I discovered what I liked and what I didn't. I left out the ingredients I wasn't a fan of and eventually created what became known as the Corrinne Roll.

It was never on the menu. People simply recommended it to friends, and customers still ask for it today without realizing who Corrinne actually is. That always makes me smile.

Eventually I moved away, but when I returned to Campbell River, I built a career managing bakery departments before eventualy moving into healthcare, where I've now worked for the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, the two sushi chefs from Sushi by the Sea had each opened their own restaurants. One invited me to work in Courtenay, while Hiro asked me to help open Wasabiya Japanese Sushi Café right here in Campbell River. I chose Wasabiya.

For a while I worked in the bakery during the day and at Wasabiya in the evenings. It made for some very long days, but I loved every minute of helping build what has become one of Campbell River's favourite sushi restaurants. Watching Hiro expand the restaurant and seeing Wasabiya grow into what it is today has been incredibly rewarding.

A few years ago, Hiro sold the restraunt to Hiroki, who had already spent 10 years working at Wasabiya as Hiro's sous chef.

Having worked alongside Hiro gave him a deep understanding of what makes Wasabiya so special. Today, he continues the same commitment to fresh sushi, friendly service, and quality that people have come to expect. It's one of the many reasons Troy and I still visit regularly.

My niece, Elayna, still works there today, which makes it even more special for our family. After all these years—and after trying sushi all over Vancouver Island—I still think Wasabiya serves some of the best sushi in Campbell River.

My Wasabiya Favourites

After all these years, these are the dishes I still find myself ordering again and again:

🥗 Smoked Salmon Salad with ginger dressing – always my first choice.
🍤 Spicy Tempura Prawns – crispy, flavourful, and perfect for sharing.
🍣 Dynamite Roll – a classic that never disappoints.
🐟 Smoked Tuna Tataki – fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavour.
🦞 Lobster Chop Roll – one of my favourites when I'm treating myself.
🍣 Campbell River Roll – a local favourite that's definitely worth trying.
🍤 Teppen Prawns & Scallops – Yummy is all I can say.
🍜 Yakisoba – a great choice if you're craving noodles.
🍗 Chicken Katsu – crispy, comforting, and always delicious.
.❤️ And of course... the Corrinne Roll. It's never been on the menu, so you'll have to ask for it. I created it years ago, and through word of mouth, it quietly became a local favourite. I still smile every time I hear someone order it without knowing who Corrinne actually is. time I hear someone order it wit

Campbell River has some wonderful sushi restaurants, but Wasabiya has always felt like home to me. Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, I hope you enjoy it as much as I still do.