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East Asian flavours on Laurier Ouest: travel through tradition without leaving Montréal

Published on: August 12, 2025

By: Avenue Laurier Ouest

A guide to East and Southeast Asian dining on Laurier Ouest in Montréal, featuring sushi bars, Korean comfort food, modern Chinese dishes and more. Highlights include Côba’s foie gras maki, Mikado’s Lobster Roll, Joah Joah’s bibimbap, Oncle Lee’s inventive Chinese plates, and Jun I’s omakase sushi. The article explores the unique atmosphere and signature dishes of each restaurant, celebrating tradition with a contemporary twist.

Tucked within the stretch of boutiques, cafés and polished salons lies another kind of indulgence on Laurier Ouest—a flavourful trail of East and Southeast Asian cuisine. Each restaurant creating its own unique interpretation of tradition, melded with modern flair, serving a mix of creative and comforting meals to every table. Think crisp wagyu nigiri, pad thai with a spicy crunch, and wasabi-based cocktails.

Côba

Assortment of sashimi, including salmon topped with roe, tuna, and white fish, artfully arranged with garnish in a wooden serving dish.
Exterior awning of Côba restaurant on Laurier Ouest, with the name “COBA” in bold white letters partially shaded by tree branches.

When you can’t decide between Thai, Vietnamese or sushi, why not have a taste of all three? Though specializing in sushi, Côba brings together dishes from different corners of Asia in its sleek yet inviting dining room. Wood panelled walls throughout the space are balanced with lots of lush greenery (a great atmosphere to dine with friends or family alike). The foie gras maki with avocado and Asian pear is a must-try. We also recommend ordering one of their Montréal-inspired menu items like the Mont-Royal or Laurier maki. Oh, and did we mention the specialty rolls are made fresh in front of you? For those craving something heartier, opt for the stir-fried shrimps and crispy noodles or the miso-marinated black cod.

Mikado

A sushi chef wearing a dark bandana and white uniform carefully arranges a platter of sushi rolls and garnishes on a wooden serving board.
Exterior view of Mikado restaurant at night, with a dark awning, bamboo paneling, and large windows revealing the warmly lit interior.

A long-standing name in Montréal’s upscale sushi scene, Mikado brings Japan right to you. The interior leans minimalist and elegant, making it a prime pick for date night, but it’s the experimental pairings—like the Belle Vie martini with celery and shiso—that really make a standout impression. The Lobster Roll maki is a favourite, along with the fried calamari, alongside a wasabi mayonnaise. No matter what calls out to you, you can’t go wrong with any choice at Mikado (even if you opt for something simple like vegetable tempura or gyoza).

Joah Joah

Exterior sign of Joah Joah, featuring three wooden paddles with the letters “C K” in between, mounted above the entrance.
Refrigerated display case at Joah Joah filled with sushi platters, Korean fried chicken, onigiri, beverages, and assorted prepared foods.

More of a takeout counter than a sit-down restaurant, the family-owned Korean comfort spot Joah Joah will remind you how satisfying no-frills, affordable meals can be. On the menu? Bibimbap, ramyun and doshirak. And it doesn’t stop with Korean classics, they also do generously-sized to-go sushi platters, onigiri and teriyaki bowls. Inside, you’ll find a small selection of Korean and Japanese snacks, ice-creams and beverages—a refreshingly casual approach in this luxurious neighbourhood.

Oncle Lee

Close-up of the Oncle Lee restaurant sign featuring a stylized gorilla holding bamboo, displayed on a round white panel with bold black text.
Overhead view of a vibrant Asian-inspired feast featuring sliced duck, fresh herbs, sauces, and pancakes on a large platter, surrounded by various dishes and a glass of white wine.

Both vibrant and electric, Oncle Lee puts a whole new twist on Chinese cuisine. Old-school flavours are reworked into entirely new dishes—beef striploin in a Szechuan sauce, black bean steamed oysters and steamed sea bream with ponzu. For those who love the classics, opt for the crispy Chow Mein or spicy sesame noodles, but to really experience the magic of Oncle Lee, pair it with something wildly expected, like the Duck Fat Manhattan.

Jun I

Chef at Jun I preparing dishes behind a minimalist wooden sushi counter, with soft lighting and simple modern decor.
Close-up of a single piece of tuna nigiri sushi on a dark background, highlighting the vibrant red fish and perfectly shaped rice.

Known for its impeccable fish quality, Jun I carefully balances Japanese techniques with a hint of French influence. Naturally, the sushi takes centre stage, but the thoughtfully curated sake list is a close second. Inside, the soft wood tones and contemporary design feel simple, yet intentionally warm. If you’re going all in, opt for their omakase or Sushi Moriawase—the chef’s assortment of nigiri, sashimi and maki that shows off the kitchen’s precision.

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