314 Powell Street

FUJI CHOP SUEY 1931-1942 | SUNRISE MARKET 1970s

Fuji Chop Suey was one of the most popular restaurants in the neighbourhood, serving up Japanese-style Chinese cuisine. It was a fashionable venue for banquets and weddings. It was a unique mixture of Western and Asian architecture.
 
"This was one of only a few restaurants where Japanese-Canadian women and children could go." - Audrey Kobayashi

"We’d purchase confetti and run from one photo studio to the other to throw confetti at the bride, then collect all the confetti and save it for next week. It was a busy time." - Shirley Omatsu

Artist Comments and Additional Information

300 and 314 are two panels that situate themselves between the hustle and bustle of Sunrise Market, which has become one of Vancouver's landmark supermarkets since 1956.

This building features architectural detailing that is a mix of Chinese and Western influences -- bold colours with California Mission style rooflines, terra cotta roof tiles and ornamental appliques.

“The second floor was rented as a private dining room for weddings or other large gatherings, and opened onto a balcony overlooking Powell Street. This was one of only a few restaurants where Japanese-Canadian women and children could go. Most of the Japanese restaurants in the area were the domain of men, and restaurants in other parts of Vancouver usually would not serve Asian customers. In 1942 the banquet hall was used by the federal government to administer the uprooting of Japanese Canadians” – Audrey Kobayashi