One of Tofino's best restaurants is opening in Vancouver — here's a first look
Whether you’re a frequent visitor to Vancouver Island or a Vancouver dining devotee, this announcement is sure to spark some excitement: Jeju, an acclaimed restaurant in Tofino, is opening a Vancouver location next month.
Known for a menu of refined Korean dishes — like its signature 35-day aged Galbi — and its deeply rooted family ties, Jeju owners Sungeun “Sung” Kim and Yunyoung “Dylan” Kim say this new location represents a longtime dream.
“Vancouver has been home for most of my life since immigrating from Korea,” Chef Dylan told us during a sneak peek of the new restaurant last month.
“While Tofino has become another home for us, opening a restaurant in Vancouver has been my dream since I was 18. In fact, before opening in Tofino, we tried to find a space in Vancouver but simply couldn’t afford it at the time.”
It felt like fate when the duo stumbled upon Tofino by chance and chose to start there, Dylan shared.
From Jeju to Tofino
When Jeju Tofino first opened in 2021, it brought something completely different to the magical Vancouver Island town’s culinary scene.
“Neither of us had ever been to Tofino before, and honestly, we didn’t even realize how far it was from Vancouver,” Dylan explained.
That first trip out, after a long-delayed road trip thanks to highway construction, the two, who first met working at a French Japanese fusion restaurant in Vancouver, had a realization: Tofino reminded them of their favourite place in Korea, Jeju City on Jeju Island.
“That’s when we first thought, ‘What if we opened a Korean restaurant here?’ We later learned that Tofino had never had a Korean restaurant before, and within just 30 minutes of arriving, we decided to put in the first offer of our lives.”
Soon, the small but mighty team would create a dining experience unlike any other in the area, serving dishes such as Bibimbap, Bulgogi, and spicy braised tofu out of its Fourth Street location.
On top of the heaps of housemade kimchi (some of the best we’ve ever had) and perfectly steamed vegetable dumplings, Sung and Dylan added another key ingredient to the mix: the expertise and heart of their family.
Kimchi (Leila Kwok)
Beyond seeking advice from both of their mothers for the menu, Dylan’s mother, Myungseok “Julie” Suh — a professional chef with over 40 years of experience — eventually relocated to Tofino along with his father to assist the couple with the restaurant. Family ties were further strengthened when Jeju began importing essential ingredients, like sesame seeds and chillies, from Sung’s grandmother’s farm in Korea.
It wouldn’t be long until the restaurant garnered national attention for its cuisine, as the eatery snagged a nomination for enRoute magazine’s Canada’s Best New Restaurant in 2022.
Jeju quickly became a standout destination dining option, and now, the concept is poised to establish itself as a Vancouver staple as well.
A Vancouver dream
Leila Kwok
Located at 540 East Broadway, Jeju Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant space is nearly ready to welcome patrons.
The contemporary dining room was thoughtfully designed by &Daughters and constructed by Must’ART, while the brand identity was created by Glasfurd & Walker.
“We’ve worked hard to naturally connect Jeju Tofino and Jeju Vancouver. The design is modern, but with subtle details inspired by Jeju Island that we hope guests will enjoy discovering,” Dylan said.
The restaurant aims to pay homage to traditional Korean heritage, featuring elements such as large hanging light fixtures that evoke the thatched straw roofs of Jeju’s chogajip houses, polished concrete floors representing the natural gradient seen in Tofino’s Long Beach, and even a traditional three-pole gate (jeongnang) that signals that the family is at home/the restaurant is open.
Hanna McLean
Hanna McLean
In terms of layout, expect booths and banquets, as well as an exclusive Chef’s Counter where guests can watch Chef Dylan in action. Thoughtful touches, including chairs and plates custom-made and sourced from Korea, are set to enhance the dining experience.
For food, we can look forward to Jeju’s signature items, such as the aforementioned Galbi served with ssam and banchan, along with some new additions. Think Spot Prawn served with dill oil, orange vinaigrette, and garlic aioli, and a seasonal fish dish featuring flavours of doenjang jjigae.
Galbi (Leila Kwok)
We certainly can’t skip over Jeju’s central bar, though, as there are big plans for that part of the restaurant. Unlike Jeju Tofino, the Vancouver location will be putting a big focus on its lineup of signature Korean cocktails.
Chef Dylan and Sung have tapped the talents of Byungjin Lim, a renowned bartender from the award-winning Seoul cocktail destination Bar Cham, to curate Jeju’s new four-season-inspired cocktail menu. It incorporates Korean fruits, herbs, and house-infused Soju.
“Over time, the two restaurants will share a spirit but not necessarily the same menu,” Dylan said.
“Our roots will remain the same. Jeju Tofino was shaped by that first impression we had when stepping into Tofino — it’s relaxed, family-friendly, and in tune with the town’s pace. Vancouver, however, is a different city, and we’re building Jeju Vancouver to reflect that. It will be a new brand in many ways. It will take time to find our rhythm again after four years away, but that’s part of the process.”
You can find Jeju Vancouver open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, starting Nov. 13.
Jeju Vancouver
Address: 540 East Broadway, Vancouver