Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

Happy Monday! It's my first proper long weekend in a while after covering for the team through the last two. Today also happened to be the last day the FIFA Museum was at Science World, so hubby and I finally decided to visit and learn more about the sports we love. After wandering through all the fun interactive exhibits, we were ready to refuel. We headed to Triple O's for a late lunch and spotted something on the menu we hadn't tried before, the Smokehouse Supreme Burger. Triple O's Smokehouse Supreme Burger Location: Inside Science World (1455 Quebec St #55, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7) Featured Items: Smokehouse Supreme Burger, Parmesan Fries, Cookies & Cream Milkshake Price Range: $17.79 for burger combo (with drink), +$2.49 for parmesan fries substitution, $7.99 for milkshake Verdict: A delicious new addition to the menu. The crispy onions are the real star of the show. The tangy sauce hit firs...

Hubby and I have been chasing Taiwanese food ever since we fell in love with a little spot in Makati City called Dang Dee. Their generous portions of Taiwanese sausage, huge fried chicken legs, and fried pork chops with rice, egg, and pickled vegetables at such reasonable prices spoiled us for life. It's closed now, but that love never faded. When we discovered Taiwanfest here in Vancouver back in 2019, we tried to make it a yearly tradition, always hunting for that same kind of authentic comfort. Lin Family Eatery at Taiwanfest 2026 Location: Downtown Vancouver Featured Items: Deep fried chicken nuggets, deep fried squid tentacles, fried rice noodles Price Range: $12–$16 per item Verdict: Comfort food that brought back memories. The fried rice noodles were the standout, reminiscent of homemade Taiwanese classics. This year, we lined up at Lin Family Eatery and I may have gotten a little excited with the order...

After indulging in treats from The Boss Bakery , we decided to grab drinks and stumbled upon Matcha Tea Lab. It's so good. There are many high-quality matcha spots around Metro Vancouver, and this one goes straight to the top of Burnaby's list. Matcha Tea Lab Location: Inside The Crystal Mall (4500 Kingsway #1828, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A9) Featured Items: Cold matcha latte with oat milk, matcha cloud with jasmine tea Price Range: $8.50 to $9.80 Verdict: Premium matcha quality with exceptional flavour balance. Top tier matcha spot in Burnaby. I ordered a cold matcha latte with creamy oat milk ($8.50), and it did not disappoint. The high-quality matcha is not bitter at all, with a deep earthy flavour that feels rich and full-bodied, not watered down in the slightest. Hubby got the matcha cloud with fragrant jasmine tea ($9.80). Before stirring, the layers are stunning, the bottom a clear unsweetened jasmine tea while the top is vibrant matcha. When mixed toget...

Hubby and I were running errands at Real Canadian Superstore in the Metrotown area when we decided to finally tackle Crystal Mall's maze-like layout . After documenting every food option we could find (spoiler: it's a lot!), we needed to refuel. The circular layout with all those indoor and outdoor entrances had us wandering like mad, but it was worth it to discover this charming neighbourhood bakery tucked inside. The Boss Bakery at Crystal Mall Location: Crystal Mall, (4500 Kingsway #1306, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A9, Canada) Featured Items: Pineapple bun with taro paste, zero-calorie low-sugar sponge cake Price Range: $2.65–$2.95 per item Verdict: Lovely neighbourhood bakery gem with soft, quality baked goods and unique flavour combinations. Our First Time at The Boss Bakery I spotted their fluffy golden items in the display case and couldn't resist. I picked up a rich, creamy zero-calorie low-sugar sponge cake ($2.65), and hubby grabbed an indulgent pin...

🍲 Crystal Mall Food Court Directory 2026 Burnaby's best-kept budget food secret. Full menus, prices, and insider tips for the second-floor food court: 📍 Location: 4500 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC (Second Floor Food Court) 💥 Vibe: Loud, vibrant, communal seating. Authentic cuisines, quick service, incredible value. 💡 Smooch Insider Tip: Come hungry and ready to share a table with strangers. The food court is where Crystal Mall's culinary magic happens, and some of Metro Vancouver's best-value eats live here. If the ground floor is Crystal Mall's hidden treasure map, the second floor food court is the crowning jewel. This is where you'll find the queues, the energy, and the most authentic, no-frills eats in the building. From Shanghai dim sum to Vietnamese pho, Korean grill, and Cantonese roasts, the food court is ...