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 store shared that reheating it in the microwave for about a minute should make it even better. Bro tried it and agreed it helped, though he said that 30 seconds would have been plenty!
Pro-Tip: When reheating Filipino Cassava Cake, start with 30 seconds to maintain that perfect, silky texture without overcooking the custard topping.
Discovering Carioca at Pamilya Delights
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| The Carioca from Pamilya Delights: Sticky, sweet, and perfectly "mochi-esque." |
After stopping by Klasik Inasal, hubby and I walked toward the Broadway-City Hall SkyTrain Station. Of course, we couldn't resist stopping by Pamilya Delights (Main Street and East 11th Ave) for some turon since I absolutely adore this treat.
While we were there, hubby noticed some caramel-covered balls on a skewer and pointed them out. I asked him if he wanted to try them. I know they're called Carioca, but I never really had them regularly growing up; I think I was already an adult when I first encountered them in the Philippines. It was hubby's first time ever seeing the dessert, and here it is, all the way in Canada.
It's sticky and sweet, and he described it perfectly: "mochi-esque."
I also noticed that Pamilya Delights carries cassava cake as well, though theirs is more of a single-serve portion rather than the larger sharing size I got from Klasik Inasal. It's a great option if you just want a quick treat for yourself!
Quick Guide: Where to Buy Filipino Snacks in Vancouver
| Location | Must-Try Item | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|
| Klasik Inasal | Cassava Cake | Mount Pleasant / Fraser |
| Pamilya Delights | Turon & Carioca | Main Street |
It was a good day. It felt like a little win to find exactly what my brother wanted, share a new treat with my husband, and get a few steps in before the birthday dinner. If you're in the Mount Pleasant area, these two spots are absolute gems for authentic Filipino flavours.
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