In Vancouver, Canada, I was born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days, chillin' out, maxing', relaxing all cool and playing tennis and volleyball all throughout school...ok - where was I going with this....
Right - here are some of my favourite eats of Vancouver, BC, Canada, my beautiful hometown!
A beautiful sunny afternoon overlooking False Creek.
In general, Vancouver, being on the best west coast is known for their fresh pacific salmon and seafood along along with a strong influence of Asian food culture. This has created a city full of delicious fusion dishes and amazing fresh Japanese sushi, sashimi and izakayas. Hongcouver, I mean Vancouver, also has some of the best Cantonese food and dimsum, but I actually didn't have any this time around as I was just in Hong Kong before I arrived - see Hong Kong blogpost HERE). There are also many fresh farm to table style restaurants and food trucks everywhere now, but I wasn't able to try everything I wanted to this time around - something for next time! (Sorry!)
These may not be the the most recent trends of eateries these days, since I've been living abroad for the past few years, but these are some of my favourites that I always go back to whenever I visit. Some eats are also classic Vancouver or only-in-Canada favourites!
Old Dutch Ketchup Chips!
Other brands carry this flavour as well, but none taste as good as OD! A classic childhood and adulthood favourite snack and flavour of all time!
The original boxes of Old Dutch brand chips. Inside each box are two smaller foil bags for your chip eating convenience! Ketchup is my go-to flavour, but I also like to mix a bag of this and a sour cream and onion together to get a nice tangy and creamy combination!
Two of some of my favourite things! Old Dutch Ketchup Chips and lululemon! ^^
Note: Click the picture to get transported to a "side of lululemon".
Old Dutch potato chips can be found in any corner store, grocery store or superstore - but apparently they only have this brand in the west coast? They carry other flavours such as: original (I would never pay money for original flavour!), salt and vinegar, BBQ, cheddar and sour cream as well as another Canadian special - dill pickle! It tastes exactly like what it sounds like, salty and vinegary dill pickle flavoured potato chips!
Canada's "favourite" coffee shop since 1964. Founded and named after a Canadian hockey player from Hamilton, Ontario. You will see Tim Hortons EVERYWHERE in Vancouver and across Canada - and even internationally now in the UAE!
The closest one after you land at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is this one right here in the arrivals section! A warm welcome of coffee (famous for their "double double" - which they even have a visa credit card for btw!), donuts, bagels, sandwiches, soups and chilli.
The classic summertime drink of Tim Hortons - the Ice Cappuccino aka "Ice-Capp" if you want to sound like a true Vancouverite. = p
You have the option to get it made with cream or milk, but who are we kidding - of course the cream one tastes better.
Having an ice-cap break in Squamish on the way up to stunning Whislter/Blackcomb mountain!
Nice, but I can't believe I am here in the summer instead of during the winter for the ski/snowboard season! Look at all the beautiful long runs begging to be covered in snow! Yes, yes, I know - it was a gorgeous sunny day to be there in the summertime too.
Poutine (pronounced "poo-tang, but drop the "ng" on the tang)!
This dish was invented in Pointe Gatineau, Quebec, so it is actually a more common dish in the east. However, it is still popular and can be found easily on the west coast - actually, even fast food places like A&W, Burger King and McDonald's in Vancouver all carry poutine on their menus now!
Poutine @Craft, Olympic Village
French fries with fresh cheese curds, smothered in hot rich gravy! It is a good poutine with quality cheese - your teeth are supposed to go "squeek, squeek, squeak" when you chew it (seriously) and the gravy is hot enough to melt the cheese curds while the fries are still crispy.
Poutine @Fritz European Fry House, Davie Street, Downtown
At different poutine places with a more extensive menu, you can get a variety of different toppings on your poutine as well. Montreal smoked meats is a common addition. The one pictured above is an original and a one with chilli one top.
Izakayas, izakayas and more izakayas!
Vancouver is well known for having awesome izakayas - tapa style Japanese food with grilled, seared, fried or baked foods that go well with some sake or Japanese beer!
Here are 3 of my favourites - each are very different in their menu and atmosphere, so check them all out for yourself!
1. Guu with Garlic on lower Robson
More traditional of an izakaya. The atmosphere in here can get quite loud with just the servers and chefs yelling orders back and forth to each other, but it's all part of the authentic izakaya experience. More selective of a menu with daily specials as well as the regular menu to order from. The food has always and still is GUUD!
The five Guu locations in Vancouver can be found HERE.
Guu with Garlic on lower Robson.
Small izakaya with limited table seating, bar seating, floor seating and patio seating if weather permits.
Especially love their soy-vinegrette dressings and how they top every dish with fried garlic slivers. Almost every dish here is good here and has always been a hit.
Top left-right: Chicken karage, tuna tataki, duck salad, mussels, beef tongue, squid karage. Order for the table and share the
See their full MENU HERE.
More trendy and upscale of an izakaya. The one on Robson has a dining as well as lounge area. I much prefer the atmosphere and service of the one on Robson rather the one in Yaletown.
The food here can be a bit more fusion, but they also have a wide variety of choices on their menu depending on lunch or dinner times.
The 4 Hapa Izakaya locations can be found HERE.
Top left-right: Turnip gyozas, takko (octopus) wasabi, tuna avocado with plantain chips, chicken wings, mochi ice-cream, pork belly lettuce wraps.
See their full MENU HERE.
3. Kingyo Japanese Izakaya on Denman
The newer of the 3 izakayas, so I've only been here a couple times when I was visiting, but is seems very popular and has been good each time I've been. Less tapa style here - more full portion dishes but again, it can depend on what you order.
This is the only location of this one that I know of.
They have lunch time specials, but make sure to make reservations. Can sell out of popular menu items.
"STONE-GRILLED BEEF TONGUE SERVED WITH YUZU RED PEPPER PASTE AND GREEN ONIONS." Their stone-grilled kobe beef is also very popular and fun to grill on a hot stone at your own table.
See their full MENU HERE.
Cactus Club Cafe!
A very Vancouver restaurant, with many many locations around the city. Canadian owned and operated, a blend of fine and casual dining as well as a blend of Western and Asian tastes. Somehow, the locations downtown have gotten prime real estate and can be found around the best views in English Bay and Coal Harbour! Executive chef Rob Feenie is cooking new menu items at the "Concession by the Bay" location. His "Feenie" Burger used to be my favourite burger ever when he used to own his own restaurant!
The many many locations can be found HERE.
Ceviche - "lois lake steelhead, sustainably harvested prawns, red onions, thai basil, mint, cilantro, nuoc cham."
This was perfect to pair with a Cactus Caesar! Highly recommended!
Full menu can be found HERE.
Top left to right:
"Grilled tuna club -ocean wiseTM rare-seared albacore, tarragon tartar, bacon, cilantro, pickled ginger, ciabatta, sea salted fries." - substituted the fries for yam fries. Hands down one of my favourite non-burgers ever! Joey's Tomato also does this well called a Ahi Tuna Club. My fav! Slightly seared tuna steak with perfect seasonings and sides in a burger!
"Crispy Dry Ribs – tossed with sea salt and cracked pepper." Would go great with beer!
"Mini burgers – certified angus beef®, cheddar, alder smoked bacon, red pepper relish." The only thing that I wouldn't order again - the bun and meat were dry and there wasn't much flavour.
The 2014 Vancouver Olympic torch. Your view acorss to North Vancouver while on the patio at Cactus Club Coal Harbour.
Amazing Coal Harbour view towards Stanley Park.
Japanese Rolls and Sashimi!
Vancouver being surrounded by the Pacific ocean = fresh seafood = good quality fish = amazing and affordable Japanese food! Perhaps it's my tastebuds, but I think the sushi and sashimi in Vancouver is the best that I've ever had - even compared to in Japan! The thing is, in Japan, you have to pay an arm and a leg for great quality sushi and sashimi In Vancouver, everyone can enjoy great quality Japanese food easily and at many great places!
Did you know Sushi Town (in Burnaby and North Van) owners opened up a location in Seoul too? I've gone there with some Vancouver friends and it was awesome because it was the same type of rolls we were craving! And for such good prices! (Blog post to come soon)
Two of my most recent favourite places in Vancouver. Fresh ingredients are KEY!
1. ASA Sushi in Kerrisdale
ASA Sushi on West 41st Avenue
Their pizza sashimi appetiser is awesome - fresh salmon and tuna sashimi on top of "toasted rice!" (누릉지밥!)
Catepillar Roll - very cute presentation and great fresh ingredients.
Volcano Roll - spicy tuna on top of California roll.
Great rolls and fresh sashimi cut so thick! Service was great too. Wish I could go back for some now!
One of my favourite small neighbourhood places with the freshest ingredients and great variety of rolls!
The 501 Roll - 3kind of Fish, 3kinds of Veggies & Egg
It's like a house roll with all the good stuff! All of my favourites ingredients on the inside (maybe except for tomago), but thoroughly enjoyed this half-roll by the sea-wall.
Even on a cloudy day, it's great to enjoy eating outdoors by the sea!
This is more of a family tradition and nostalgic item - but it is also the best cake in the world!!!
We used to always get this for family birthdays and special occasions. I don't know how it started, but I'm glad we discovered it. I thought maybe it wouldn't taste as good years later as some things seem to taste better when you are a kid - but no, this cake was exactly the same and just as delicious! We used to cut and put leftovers in the freezer, but it wouldn't even last very long because someone would take it out and eat it even in it's frozen state - it's that good!
They moved locations from Granville street to West Broadway some years ago.
Notte's Bon Ton Signature Diplomat Cake
Butter cream that melts in your mouth between layers of crispy mille feuille and cake soaked in rum. The outside edge has these crunchy bits of goodness. Absolutely scrumptious!
Vancouver Local Beers!
I don't know much about these beers, but they were great locally brewed draft beers! Loved the "Stanley Park" and the "Granville Island Honey Lager".
Canadian Caesar Time!
I can't believe I never had a Caesar until my most recent trip back to Vancity! After my first sip, I loved it! My new favourite drink! What's there not to love about a savoury cocktail made with Clamato juice, vodka, worcester sauce, tabasco sauce, spices and pickled green beans and/or olives - or a whole meal in it if you want!
Check out my Caesar taste test tour HERE to discover 11 different Caesar's around Vancouver!
Here is a preview of 3 different kinds:
Fit and functional hometown favourite - come check out almost all the lululemon stores in Vancouver and Greater Vancouver area!
Thank you for joining me in Vancouver! It's called "Beautiful British Columbia" for a reason!