Shika Provisions is a new, tiny take-away restaurant housed in an adorably shingled shack at the edge of the Marina Pier in Snug Cove on Bowen Island. The space was a taco joint until Mitsumi Kawai took it over in mid-May. She quickly drew up a tasty Japanese-influenced menu, applied some clean, modern branding (a Shika is species of wild deer in Japan – and Bowen, as you might be well aware, is practically overrun by wild deer), and threw open the doors for the summer season.
If it looks, tastes, and feels reminiscent of East Hastings’ Basho Cafe, it might be because Mitsumi is the daughter of Miju and Hiroshi Kawai and sister to Moeno Kawai — Basho’s owners. And if her name sounds familiar, it’s probably because she’s part of the Scout team. We’re very proud of what she’s accomplished in a short time. Great style and a love of good food runs in her family!
The Veggie Rice Bowl ($9) is loaded with fresh/roasted vegetables and comes finished with a cilantro pesto or miso tofu gravy (both are delicious). The Taco Bowl sees teriyaki pulled pork over rice with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and cheese ($10), while the tuna bowl includes a healthy serving of sliced sashimi-grade albacore tuna with truffle vinaigrette and a side of avocado ($12).
Grilled rice balls are exactly what they say they are: grilled balls of rice with cheese, pork, or sesame/seaweed centres. They are fantastic take-away snacks and only $3 a pop. Shika also offers ice cream, cold drinks, and little gluten free, vegan matcha muffins.
Exploring beaches and forests on Bowen is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. There’s no need for a car. If you catch the 11am boat from Horseshoe Bay as a walk-on passenger you will arrive at the Marina Pier just about the same time Shika opens. Fill up on a rice bowl and then hit the nearby trails for a hike before landing back at the dock for the 3:10pm departure. Hours are Thursday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm, and Monday 11am-6pm.
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Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Mitsumi Kawai | Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Treats at Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Rice Ball at Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Rice Balls at Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Mitsumi Kawai | Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Tuna Rice Bowl | Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Treats at Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Vegetarian Rice Bowl at Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Detail | Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Taco Rice Bowl with pulled pork | Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Shika Provisions | Bowen Island -
Map of Bowen -
Deck at Marina Pier Bowen Island | Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
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Bowen Island -
Crippen Park, Bowen Island
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On a walk, Bowen Island
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Taking the ferry to Bowen -
Shika
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Shika Provisions | Bowen Island
Shika Provisions | Marina Pier (400 Bowen Island Trunk Rd) | Bowen Island | www.Shika.ca
This is so awesome! Hope to swing by for a visit soon. Congrats, Mitsumi!
The food here is delicious and very reasonably priced. I’m craving the mochi balls right now! Much props to the taco bowl and the pulled pork grilled rice ball, though the tuna bowl and veggie bowl are very much up there as well. Such satisfying food. Mitsumi is lovely and we can’t wait to visit her again. And eat her food. Next: the mochi sundae.