Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

After feeling under the weather all week and even taking a day off yesterday to rest, I’m finally back at work today. Thankfully, our team lunch provided a much-needed pick-me-up. We went to JINYA Ramen Bar’s Robson location, and I ordered the Spicy Chicken Ramen — a perfect choice for a day when I needed something comforting.  Spicy Chicekn Ramen from JINYA Ramen Bar Chicken brother, chicken chashu, spinach, spicy bean sprouts, green onion, and thin noodles The ramen came with a flavorful chicken broth, tender chicken chashu, fresh spinach, spicy bean sprouts, and green onion, all served with thin noodles at a satisfying hot spice level. Just what I needed to recharge. For future me, below is a list of ramen you have tried: JINYA Tonkotsu Black Karaage Chicken Ramen Premium Tonkotsu Red Spicy Chicken Ramen Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen...

After a satisfying lunch at Homura Yakiniku , we decided to treat ourselves to something sweet and stopped by the newly opened Le Doux Ciel on West Broadway. Located in the same building as the Ultimate Golf Lounge, it’s a charming spot with an inviting, cozy interior — perfect for enjoying a couple croissant and latte while watching the world go by. The almond croissant was deliciously buttery, with a crisp, flaky exterior and a generous almond filling that had a warm, nutty sweetness. The pastry layers were delicate yet slightly chewy on the inside, creating a wonderful contrast with the crunchy toasted almond slivers on top. Almond Croissant from Le Doux Ciel On the other hand, the hazelnut croissant, equally indulgent, had a filling that was smooth, rich, and full of hazelnut flavour. Its slightly earthy and chocolatey undertones made it a decadent treat for any Nutella lover. ...

Celebrating one of our wedding anniversaries, we decided to have a lunch date at Homura Yakiniku, diving into two of their lunchtime combos that offered an array of delicious meats and sides. Combo 1: Harami Skirt Steak, Rib Finger, and Toro Beef The harami skirt steak was incredibly tender, with a rich, beefy flavour. It’s marbled enough to stay juicy on the grill, with a touch of smokiness that brings out the natural flavours. The rib finger, with its bolder, fattier profile, had a wonderful chewiness. But the toro beef stole the show. This cut, with its high fat content, practically melts in your mouth. Grilled to a golden-brown finish, it was buttery and rich, and its delicate flavour and texture made it my favourite of the day. Rib Finger, Harami Skirt Steak , and Toro Beef  from Homura Yakiniku with steamed rice, Miso soup, Homura salad, cucumber kimchi, and daikon ...

After a long day, I was ready for something quick and comforting. My husband suggested McDonald's to make it easy, so I picked up my usual favourites: a McChicken, World Famous Fries, and 20 Chicken McNuggets. But while waiting, something new caught my eye — the Reese’s Chipits ‘N Fudge McFlurry . Halloween McFlurry  from McDonald's Reese's Chipits 'N Fudge McFlurry  from McDonald's A Halloween treat! Reese' Chipits peanut butter swirled into smooth vanilla soft serve and blended with hot duge sauce. This McFlurry is a treat for anyone who loves the classic pairing of chocolate and peanut butter. The smooth vanilla soft serve is swirled with rich chocolate fudge, adding the right amount of indulgent sweetness. But it’s the Reese’s Chipits that take it up a notch, blending in those ti...

It's Thursday, which means it's time for our weekly company-paid team lunch. This week, the theme was brunch, and we made our way to Café Medina. I ordered their avocado toast and a Liège-style waffle, both of which lived up to Café Medina's reputation. Avocado Toast  from Café Medina Grilled focaccia, avocado, house made tomato salsa The avocado toast came on a perfectly grilled slice of focaccia. The bread was crisp on the outside, warm and soft within, making a delicious base for the rich avocado. Topped with a house-made tomato salsa, it added a burst of freshness and subtle acidity that perfectly balanced the creamy avocado. The flavours were simple yet refined. Liège Style Waffle from Café Medina But the real showstopper was the Liège-style waffle, which easily ranks in my top two favourit...

Tim Hortons is our go-to for Sunday breakfast but today we had errands to run and decided to grab dinner in this Canadian icon. We tried the new Spicy Rosé Flatbread Pizza and Pepperoni. Pepperoni is a classic, and Tim Hortons delivers it with a familiar flavor that’s accessible and well-suited for all ages, especially kids. The blend of cheese and a milder sauce makes it a dependable, fuss-free choice for families. For anyone with younger eaters in tow, this option is straightforward, filling, and easy to enjoy. Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza  from Tim Hortons A slice of Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza  from Tim Hortons Tim Hortons’ latest flatbread, the Spicy Rosé, takes things up a notch. This one is perfect for someone looking for a more adventurous pizza with complex flavors. The sauce here has a kick, with a...

Our team had the pleasure of gathering for our weekly company-sponsored lunch at JINYA Ramen Bar, a spot known for elevating traditional Japanese ramen to a whole new level. I opted for the Spicy Umami Miso Ramen. Imagine a rich, pork-based broth infused with ground pork soboro, giving it a hearty depth of flavour. It came topped with fresh bean sprouts, green onion, bok choy, and a touch of chili oil – the final spicy note tying everything together. The thick noodles were perfectly textured, allowing each bite to soak up just the right amount of broth. Spicy Umami Miso Ramen  from JINYA Ramen Bar Pork broth: ground pork soboro, bean sprouts, green onion, bok choy, and chilii oil served with thick noodles The best part? Sharing this experience with the team made it even more enjoyable. Laughter and conversation filled the air, and with every slurp of ramen. So if y...

If you love sushi but are not a fan of the usual food court fare, Costco has a new treat! The beloved warehouse chain has added a California Crab Roll to its food court menu. Priced at $9.99 for eight pieces, this latest addition to Costco’s menu is a refreshing alternative to their popular (and still classic) hot dogs. California Crab Roll  from Costco Should you try it? Not really, unless you want something different than the usual pizza slices and hot dogs.

Sometimes, a little solo lunch is exactly what you need — especially when life gets busy. Today, when my husband got into a meeting, I found myself with a little free time and a craving for some comfort food. So, I headed to Peaceful Restaurant in Kitsilano. Sitting there by myself, I ended up stress-eating two of my go-to comfort dishes: Dan-Dan Noodles and Peaceful Beef Rolls. The Dan-Dan Noodles were exactly what I needed. They’re served in a rich, spicy, and tangy peanut sauce that clings to the noodles, creating a perfect balance of heat and creaminess. The minced pork added a savoury depth, while the fresh spinach gave it a light, refreshing contrast. Dan Dan Noodles  from Peaceful Restaurant Spicy, tangy peanut sauce, minced pork & spinach Alongside the noodles, I had the Peaceful Beef Rolls — one of my all-time favourites. These rolls are filled with beef that’s t...

There’s something about a lazy Saturday that just begs for comfort food, and today, we decided to treat ourselves to a delivery from McDonald’s. Our pick? The Firecracker McCrispy with Bacon—a crispy chicken sandwich that’s packed with bold flavours and a bit of a kick. The sandwich itself starts with a tender chicken filet, seasoned the McD's way and fried to a crispy golden brown. What really makes it stand out, though, is the creamy sweet and spicy sauce that’s slathered on top. It has just the right amount of heat without being overpowering, balanced out by the sweetness that lingers after each bite. From my standard, there's no heat. But if you have a low tolerance for hot food, then this would be perfect. Firecracker McCrispy with Bacon  from McDonald's Adding to the indulgence are the hickory-smoked bacon strips, which bring a smoky crunch to the sandwich. The whol...

This week was a big one for both me and my brother. He started his new job, and I recently got promoted, so we decided to celebrate. For dinner, we headed to Memphis Blues BBQ on Robson Street, a spot known for its hearty, Southern-style barbecue. We went all out and ordered the Elvis Platter — essentially their famous Memphis Feast, but with even more meat! The platter came loaded with a generous variety of meats. The slab of ribs, which turned out to be my personal favourite, was tender and juicy with a smoky, charred bark on the outside. The meat practically fell off the bone! The pulled pork had a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, its soft texture pairing beautifully with the sweet and slightly tangy barbecue sauce. It was a bit milder in flavour compared to the ribs, but still full of that signature Southern BBQ taste. Elvis Platter  from Memphis Blues BBQ The sliced beef ...

After a long day, I finally got the news I’d been waiting for: HR made it official — I’m being promoted to team lead in the Vancouver office! It’s a moment I’ve been working toward for a while, but now that it’s here, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. To celebrate the news, my husband asked me what I wanted to eat, and my answer was simple — fried chicken! So, off we went to bb.q chicken, a Korean fried chicken spot. We ordered their Golden Fried Chicken, which truly is Korean fried chicken at its best. The pieces were juicy and tender on the inside, with a light and crispy coating on the outside. Each bite was perfectly seasoned, delivering that satisfying crunch I’d been craving all day. It was the kind of fried chicken that makes you forget about everything else for a moment. Golden Fried Chicken  from bb.q chicken But the highlight of the night was my new favourite...

Every Thursday, our company gathers for a team lunch — a tradition that not only brings us together but also spices up our week with a bit of friendly competition. The twist? Each week, the winner gets to pick the theme, and this time, Greek cuisine was the choice. So, we all made the short 10-minute walk to The Greek in Yaletown. I decided to go with the classic gyro. The slow-roasted chicken was perfectly seasoned, bursting with a savoury blend of herbs and spices that made every bite flavourful and satisfying. Wrapped in a soft, freshly baked pita, it was filled with crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, sliced onion, and a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki that brought everything together. The combination of textures—the warm, tender chicken with the crunch of the veggies and the cool, tangy tzatziki — was just what I needed for a satisfying meal. Gyro  from The Greek - Yaletown Slow-roasted chicken,...