Boualouang Lao/Thai Restaurant - Undisputed Best Thai Food in Western Canada
Posted on 06/29/2011
Two or three years ago during my annual summer visit to Edmonton I ate at Boualouang with my Dad. This Thai/Lao eatery operated out of a tiny space with something like 4 or 5 tables -- and I can remember how good we thought the food was -- absolutely excellent and obviously 100% authentic Thai food. Since then, I have been to Laos and since starting this food blog have grown even more appreciative of good Asian food -- which is why this year I made a point to have a meal at Boualouang at least once. more...
Vietnamese-style Soup and Sandwich at Au Petit Cafe
Posted on 06/17/2011
For the second time in as many posts, reliable intel from Alvin Lim has led to another good Vancouver eating session at a popular local eatery. Au Petit Cafe on Main Street between 32nd and 33rd is one of those small, family-run outfits that actually have a daily lineup. A quick search at urbanspoondotcom revealed that the popular item here is the banh mi more...
Hidden Treasure Chinese Food at Koon Bo Seafood Restaurant
Posted on 06/08/2011
Invited by Alvin Lim of the RVCC, I made my way to Fraser & 41st for an early lunch. Niftily catching an empty parking spot in the cramped and tiny lot I made my way into this rather unassuming (from the exterior anyway and even the interior is plain-looking) restaurant. As I surveyed the red signed establishment, it came to me once again how there are so many hundreds of small Chinese-food (mostly Cantonese) restaurants in Vancouver that were it not for those trusty souls who could be bothered to notify me of their presence I would never know the culinary treasures within. more...
Chirashizushi at Samurai Sushi House
Posted on 05/31/2011
Perhaps it is because I have never been to Japan. Maybe it's because Japan isn't part of Southeast Asia. Whatever the reason, I haven't blogged Japanese food yet. So this post of Samurai Sushi House on Cambie will be my first. From what I can tell it is a well known and popular sushi joint with a constant stream of hungry patrons beating a path to its door. It also looks to be Japanese-run and of an acceptably high sushi standard. more...
#2 Cambodian in Vancouver at Angkor Restaurant Cambodian Noodle House
Posted on 05/31/2011
The iconic image of Angkor Wat stupas on the canvass awning of Angkor Restaurant has been beckoning me for months and months. I finally had some spare time in the middle of a work day to duck inside and see what Cambodia nostalgia I would encounter. more...
Gold Medal Noodles at Luda Southern Dishes Chinese Restaurant
Posted on 05/27/2011
Having been to Luda twice before without my camera and having not yet tried the HSBC Chinese Restaurant Awards 2011 Critic's Choice Signature Dish in "Noodles" category, I figured a Thursday evening dinner and blog post was in order. So I strapped on the camera and walked with my honey the four blocks from home to Luda, a recent entry into the Southern Chinese cuisine Vancouver (East Hastings) eating scene. more...
Gee! Taste Good at Pacific Plaza Food Court
Posted on 05/24/2011
I have been meaning to stop by and have a blog-posting lunch at Gee! Taste Good Cafe for awhile now. I had been here several times with Uncle D and each time I go away not unsatisfied with their curries, beef rendang and kueh lapis. more...
Victoria Chinese Restaurant Wedding Feast
Posted on 05/21/2011
The rain had just stopped on a rainy Saturday afternoon when family and a few friends gathered together to witness our civil marriage ceremony. The yellow tulips planted in a row near the Rose Garden Pavilion made a good setting for a few informal post-wedding photos. After everyone had their fill of photos, we all headed for Victoria Chinese Restaurant. more...
A Taste of Pakistan at Al Watan Tandoori
Posted on 05/11/2011
Scouting restaurants for the men of Royal Vancouver Curry Club seems to be an added duty for this food blogger, and taking tips from the group's more adventurous members can yield outings to establishments that verge on the edge of obscurity -- for a reason perhaps. Such a place is Al Watan Tandoori eating house of Fraser at 45th. more...
Discovering Wau Bulan at Penang Delight Cafe
Posted on 05/08/2011
Sunday lunch is getting to be something of a routine nowadays. After our morning Mass ends at 11:30, my honey & I head out to a pre-researched-and-decided-upon restaurant for a lunch and blog opportunity at one of the best of Vancouver's many, many SE Asian restaurants. more...
Hand-made Noodles at Peaceful Restaurant
Posted on 05/05/2011
There are two places to get hand-made Shanghai-style noodles on Broadway that I have seen: Sha Lin Noodle House and Peaceful Restaurant. I heard Sha Lin's noodles have gone downhill, so we decided to try Peaceful. more...
Posted on 05/01/2011
The first really nice, warm and sunny day here in Vancouver 2011! It happens to be May 1. Birds chirping, wind rustling new leaves sprouting on trees and another nice day to revisit Bo Laksa King Bubbles & Bits on Hastings. more...
Axum Ethiopian Restaurant With the RVCC
Posted on 04/27/2011
This month's restaurant of choice for the Royal Vancouver Curry Club (RVCC) was Axum Ethiopian Restaurant. I have to thank Herb for finding this place and having the wherewithal to lead us in this fragrant and spicy direction. After all, as he says "I don't want to get stuck in a rut... taking a chance on African food is a chance to expand my horizons..." Couldn't agree more with you Herb. more...
Shawarma Lunch at Babylon Cafe
Posted on 04/21/2011
When I am downtown and am looking for a quick, good and cheap lunch, Babylon Cafe usually springs to mind as the best place. The Boys of Babylon prepare shawarmas for hungry Vancouverites in a steady stream from opening until close. more...
Sunday Lunch at Penang Delight Cafe on Rupert Street
Posted on 04/16/2011
When it comes to Malaysian restaurans in Vancouver, there is becoming a lot of choice. The best Malaysian restaurant is undoubtedly Banana Leaf (speaking only of Broadway location). The tastes are potent and the textures are right on. Number 2 is former Jonker Street now Fresh Bowl cafes in Yaletown and Gastown. Tommy Ng's budding SE Asian concept keeps strong flavors brimming with intensity and integrity. With that said, there are plenty of them not worth experiencing; think Tropika on Cambie, Cafe D' Lite on Broadwayt, Chili Garden on Main, Kedah House on SE Marine... more...
Banh Mi at Ba Le Sandwich Shop
Posted on 04/01/2011
If you have never heard of a Vietnamese sandwich, head on over to Ba Le Sandwich Shop over in Chinatown for cheap & good Asian-filled goodness inside a French-style baguette. more...
Date Night at Pho Tan Vietnamese Restaurant
Posted on 03/26/2011
I enjoyed lunch here so much it became a must-do to bring my honey here for a date-night dinner. more...
Stuffed Chicken Wing & Cambodian Rice Noodle at Pho Tan Vietnamese Restaurant
Posted on 03/26/2011
Through the grapevine I heard of another excellent Vietnamese restaurant in town. It has been awhile since I've tried a new Vietnamese restaurant that is supposed to serve delicious food, so it was decided we would go for lunch at Pho Tan to try their highly recommended stuffed chicken.
more...Best-in-Vancouver Laksa at Bo Laksa King
Posted on 03/12/2011
I first heard of Bo Laksa King over a year ago when it was just an over-the-counter stall inside a grocery market on Joyce & Wellington. Initial word-of-mouth spread like wildfire in the food blogs such that Bo has now opened up shop in a bubble tea cafe on E. Hastings St.. more...
Chow Times Duck Feast at Man Ri Sung Korean Restaurant
Posted on 03/11/2011
Sometimes it takes the kindness of strangers to propel one to greater heights. In my case, Ben and Suanne from ChowTimes food blog sent me a kind invitation to join them in their latest food adventure of Korean Duck Feast at Man Ri Sung restaurant. more...
Cantonese-style Rice Porridge at Congee Noodle House
Posted on 03/08/2011
When I eat at Cantonese restaurants it is usually for dim sum or salt chicken lunch. When I feel like congee I think of only one place: Congee Noodle House at Broadway & Main Street in Vancouver. more...
Date Night at Madras Dosa House
Posted on 03/06/2011
I told my fiance' awhile back about Dosas. She has kept reminding me I have to take her for these tasty tubulars and so the moment has now arrived when I get to take my honey for a most exotic treat! I seem to enjoy the overall ambience/food/service better at Madras than at House of Dosas. For one thing, I like supporting small, family-run shops that turn out decent dishes. Madras House to me has that sort of appeal. more...
James Snacks Sand Pot Rice at Empire Center
Posted on 03/05/2011
Taking the path less travelled will definitely lead eventually to James Snacks in laid back Empire Center. I have tried James Snacks before I started food blogging and I know other like-minded fellows will eventually cut a path to this tasty rice pot snack stall. more...
Tandoori Food & Entertainment in India-town
Posted on 03/05/2011
Just around the corner from the Main & 49th intersection of India-town is a unique cafe serving assorted tandoori's, curry's and paneer's. This small cafe serves very good quality spice-based Indian food and the proprietor is the very image of a passionate restauranteur who takes great pride in his cuisine, and also takes the time to make customers feel at home, enjoying their first-class tandoori's and other home-made delights. more...
No. #1 Char Siu, Siu Yuk in Hongcouver
Posted on 02/28/2011
My round 10 at HK BBQ Master. Time to celebrate with bbq pork, roast pork and bbq duck combo. A Vancouver-Hong Kong southern-Chinese bbq classic. more...
Ningtu Shanghainese Restaurant
Posted on 02/26/2011
A classic Shanghainese breakfast is Chinese doughnut (you tiao), Shanghainese pancake (sou bing) and hot soya bean milk (dou jiang). Since my eating partner just returned from a month in Sri Lanka & India and was craving this meal, we headed to one of his 'secret' spots to indulge in this fantastic combination experience. more...
Posted on 02/25/2011
Having recently discovered urbanspoon.com, I decided to right away try a Vancouver classic: Phnom Penh Restaurant located in the heart of Chinatown. I can't believe I overlooked this eatery all these years. Especially since I do my weekly fresh-food grocery run in Chinatown! I think it has to do with my (incorrect) perception that this is a fusion-cuisine place. more...
Best Char Siu in Vancouver at HK BBQ Master
Posted on 01/11/2011
The best char siu and siu yuk in the Lower Mainland Vancouver, and anywhere else for that matter.
more...Posted on 12/08/2010
You know you are in Vancouver when you find a Malaysian chef preparing both Caucasian and Malaysian food out of a dive pub at the edge of Gastown... Mamak Cafe in Pub 340 is the place to be if you are craving both homestyle hamburger and Malaysian sate' -- at the same time! My #1 eating-partner who has the inside track for Singaporean/Malaysian/Indonesian/Chinese food in Vancouver called me up telling me about this place, open for only 2 weeks. more...
Cafe D' Lite Hainanese Chicken Rice
Posted on 12/06/2010
I have been wondering for awhile where to find the best Hainanese Chicken Rice in Vancouver. I've tried this dish at Curry House (Yaohan Centre food court), Mui Gardens and now Cafe D' Lite. I have been to Singapore three times and never tried Hainanese Chicken Rice. Having read recently that this dish could aptly be called the 'national dish' of good old Singapore, I am most intrigued as to how I might interpret the Platonic ideal of this famous chicken platter. more...
Posted on 11/28/2010
My first posting of Taiwanese food in Richmond will be Pearl Palace Restaurant. Thanks to my Indonesian girlfriend who spent a year living in Taiwan, tonight's eating place will be a bit of nostalgia for her and a new adventure in Asian eating for me! more...
Posted on 09/25/2010
The ubiquitous nature of Vietnamese pho' eateries in Greater Vancouver is so frequent, that spotting a pho' restaurant while driving could replace the 'punch buggy no return' game... 'pinch pho' no return' or something like that? Take a drive down Kingsway and seeing a Pho' restaurant is as easy as turning your head either to the left or to the right. Recently a work associate invited me to his personal favorite pho' place; Pho' Thai Hoa Restaurant. more...
Posted on 09/18/2010
If you ever happen to be in Abbotsford, and are dying for pho', then make sure to remember back to the time you read this blog posting about my visit to Ken and Joy's gourmet Vietnamese: Vi-La Palace. Tucked along a row of South Asian restaurants and grocery marts, their food is sure to pick you up and send you on your with a full tummy and a full heart. more...
Posted on 08/21/2010
There are a few South Indian restaurants in Vancouver that feature dosas. The supposed king of the hill is House of Dosas on Kingsway. After an afternoon eat-off at three dosa restaurants the winner by a hair is...more...
Posted on 08/14/2010
Address: 4354 Fraser Street, Vancouver
This South Indian restaurant serves the best dosa in Vancouver in my humble opinion. The place is neat and clean, serving a thick and hearty version of dosa that corresponds more to the Platonic ideal than most realize. more...
Dosa at Nooru Mahal Restaurant
Posted on 07/03/2010
Address: 4354 Fraser Street, Vancouver
Every once in a while I get a craving for Indian food - and not just any Indian food but, specifically, dosas. To the uninformed, dosas is made of a wrapping of fermented crepe (made from rice and black lentils), stuffed with well, anything that tastes like Indian food! There are so many varieties and versions of dosa, but the one I know and love from my experience in Singapore three years ago is the Masala dosa -- that is spiced potatoes.more...
Lemongrass Chicken and Exotic Beef at Le Petit Saigon
Posted on 06/27/2010
Address: 2783 E. Hastings, Vancouver
Lemongrass chicken and 2-types of beef on dry rice noodles.
more...
Posted on 06/19/2010
Address: #108 1050 Kingsway, Vancouver
For not-bad dimsum in Vancouver, the best place is probably Daitong Restaurant. The cuisine here is always the same standard and quality, the service is always good and of course - the place is always packed. Get there half an hour before you think you will want to eat because there is just no way to avoid the crush of people standing in the entrance of this eatery. more...
Bun Bo Hue at Le Petit Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant
Posted on 06/01/2010
Address: 2783 E. Hastings, Vancouver
There is no shortage of Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver. That is why, when looking for a good one to eat at, one must observe a steady and regular traffic of hungry patrons who have focussed on one particular Pho' eatery. Such a one is Le Petit Saigon located at 2783 E. Hastings, Vancouver. Tonight I decided to indulge in an amazing beef noodle soup called Bun Bo Hue. It is a pork hock and beef noodle soup served in the traditional way with round noodles not flat vermicelli. more...
Le Petit Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant
Posted on 05/27/2010
Address: 2783 E. Hastings, Vancouver
Near my house is one of the top three Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver. Le Petit Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant is run by Andy & Vicky, two of the best-looking, friendly and good-cooking restauranteurs I have seen. Their restaurant is always busy and they have what looks like a huge repeat business. more...
Posted on 05/23/2010
Address: #108 1050 Kingsway, Vancouver
Saturday morning! What better time for dimsum... So Christopher and I sat down for a table-full of good eats -- as Dai Tung is a place you come when you don`t want to be let down in terms of both food quality and cost. Overall this restaurant serves decent food at a decent price. more...
Posted on 04/06/2010
Address: Uncle D's Condo, Vancouver.
Most everyone can cook a dish or two. My friend Dominic (Uncle D) can cook whole cookboooks worth of Chinese, Malay, Thai, Singaporean and other cuisines. One of the very best dishes he makes is Singapore Laksa. For those not familiar with Laksa, it can be summarized as 'curry noodle soup'. As far as soups and noodle dishes in gravy or sauce, Laksa is perhaps the quintessential Singaporean one. more...
Curry House at Yaohan Center, Richmond
Posted on 03/20/2010
Address: 3250 Cambie Street, Vancouver
The food court at Yaohan Center in Richmond has some not bad food stalls. There is a wide range of Cantonese food, some Thai and a Singaporean stall that serves pretty good curries, aptly named Curry House. Today we had the Hainanese Chicken Rice.more...
Posted on 02/23/2010 in World Eating
Address: 3250 Cambie Street, Vancouver
This past Sunday we went for lunch (I went accompanied Dominic & Mag) to another of my favorite Shanghainese cuisine restaurants in Vancouver - Shanghai Village. Located in the heart of Cambie Village, this restaurant is top-notch northern Chinese food. more...
Posted on 12/24/2009 in World Eating
This evening after Christmas Eve Holy Mass I accompanied Dominic & Magdalen and Anna to a newer northern Chinese restaurant on the local scene. Shanghai Village is well-located, close to downtown Vancouver; a stone's throw away from Uncle Dominic's waterfront condo! So the location is excellent and the food is even better!! Double happiness can be found in this restaurant as every dish is good. more...
Posted on 12/07/2009 in World Eating
It was time for Chinese food again, so I accompanied my eating partner Dominic Tan to Dinesty Restaurant in where else? - Richmond #3 Rd. best eating street in Vancouver!
This restaurant serves Northern Chinese cuisine, different than Southern Chinese or Cantonese food. Shanghainese food features spicier dishes that are much more interesing in my opinion than more...
Posted on 12/07/2009 in World Eating
Awhile back I was craving for some tasty Malaysian yum-yums. So I remembered I had heard of Sweet Chile from someone in the MSBCA (it sure pays to network).
This restaurant has changed hands several times over the past several years. I hope the Malay morsels stay awhile to fill the need of my cravings more...
Posted on 11/29/2009
2 weeks ago I accompanied Dominic to one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in Richmond - Top Shanghai. We have been here several times before and keep coming back due to the consistent quality of food.
This restaurant serves Northern Chinese cuisine, different than Southern Chinese or Cantonese food. Shanghainese food features spicier dishes that are much more interesing in my opinion than more...