Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

A Birthday Walk: Finding Cassava Cake and Carioca in Vancouver Today is my brother's birthday. Mom called to ask what time we're arriving at their place for dinner, and after we discussed the logistics, I asked Mama if brother prefers buko (coconut) pie or egg pie or if there was something else he’d like. She didn't skip a beat: "Your brother would love Cassava Cake as a gift." (Last month I gave my sister Spanish bread for her birthday, so it felt right to keep the tradition going). Finding the Best Cassava Cake in Vancouver: Klasik Inasal After searching for the closest spots to our place, hubby and I walked to Klasik Inasal and Noodle Express (located at East Broadway near Fraser Street) for a serving of their cassava cake. It was $17.00, and I happily tucked it away for my brother. I don't have any photos of the cake itself, but I made sure to pass along the tip I got at the shop. The friendly Tita in the stor...

Surprised by Saiko: A High-Quality Sushi Hidden Gem on West Broadway After attending the Mass of the Last Supper this evening, my husband and I took a long, reflective walk along West Broadway. As we strolled from Maple towards Cambie, we found ourselves doing what we do best: chatting about which restaurants we have tried and which ones are still on our list. When we reached Saiko Sushi , I’ll admit I was skeptical. This spot replaced the International Sandwich Factory , and I remember wondering if the Broadway corridor actually needed another sushi place. With so many established names nearby—like Masa , Namiya , the high-end Tojo’s, and Minato—I wasn't sure if Saiko could offer anything new. Saiko Sushi Menu Snapshot Scanned as of April 2026. Note: No bento boxes available here! Appetizers $2.50 – $19.00 Sashimi (4pcs / 8pcs) $12.00 – $38.00 ...

Thursdays are always special for our team because they are our dedicated "office lunch" days. Since I work from home on Mondays and Fridays, these mid-week gatherings at the office are such a great way to reconnect. This week, we opted for delivery from Thai Away Home at their Club Kitchen location. Digging into the Ginger Stir Fry with tofu from Thai Away Home. A bit of a "medium" spice gamble that definitely delivered on the heat! I decided to try their Ginger Stir Fry with Tofu and requested it at a "medium spicy" level. I should have known better! Thai Away Home does not hold back on the heat, and the medium was definitely spicy enough to wake up my taste buds. The flavours were delicious, though I did have one small regret. I opted out of ordering rice this time, which was a bit of a mistake. Without the rice to soak up that savoury ginger sauce, the dish felt a little bit salty on its own. It was still a fantastic meal, ...

Welcoming the Newest Team Member at Browns Socialhouse (QE Theatre) Tuesday lunch took us a few blocks over to Browns Socialhouse . We were welcoming a new colleague to the team today, and since our office is so close to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre , this location was the perfect choice for a celebratory midday break. I have always appreciated the "Socialhouse" vibe for work lunches. It strikes that tricky balance because it is polished enough for a professional welcome, yet casual enough that you actually feel like you are getting a mental reset from the desk. The atmosphere near the theatre is always a bit buzzy, and that helped keep the conversation flowing as we got to know our newest team member. The Blackened Chicken Cowboy : fresh, crunchy, and perfectly satisfying with a beautiful view of that Vancouver spring sunshine on the patio. The Meal: Blackene...

Your Guide to Rescuing Food with Too Good To Go Vancouver If you have been following Smooch Food for a while, you know that I am a huge fan of the Too Good To Go app. In a year where inflation has made every grocery trip feel like a splurge, this app has been a total game-changer for our household. Exploring the Metro Vancouver food rescue scene on the Too Good To Go map. New to the App? Let’s Save Together! I have been using Too Good To Go to rescue delicious food from going to waste, and I would love for you to join the movement. Download the app here (Full disclosure: Using my link helps me earn a small ($2) voucher toward my next food rescue at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Smooch Food!) Not only do we get to try some of the best artisanal bakeries and local eateries in Metro Vancouver for a frac...