Greetings on this rainy Saturday! I am fortunate to reside just a few blocks
from Pacific Arts Market. This establishment has recently delighted us with
its vibrant events (see
Vancouver Night Market), especially those featuring delectable culinary offerings.
Today, our rendezvous at Pacific Arts revolves around celebrating Latin
America's rich and diverse flavours. Needless to say, I'm here to savour every
delightful dish presented by the participating vendors. We arrived in the area
at around 2:30 in the afternoon, and based on earlier pictures, some vendors
had already left.
Taquitos from Lita's Mexican Food
Our gastronomic expedition starts at Lita's Mexican food, where the enticing
aroma of taquitos beckons. These little gems sport a crispy exterior, and the
hot sauce makes it perfect on this chilly day.
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Chicken Taquitos from Lita's Mexican Food
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If you don't know, taquitos are a popular Mexican dish, often served as finger
foods or appetizers. These cheese and meat-filled tortillas are typically
deep-fried until they become crispy and golden brown. Lita's taquitos are
available in grocery stores, so go check them out.
Mote con Chicharrón from La Yapa
We're venturing into uncharted culinary territory as we try Ecuadorian cuisine
for the first time at La Yapa. We picked two delectable choices: the Mote Con
Chicharrón and Guagua de Pan.
The Mote con Chicharrón is a revelation. It features mote (hominy), which is
corn that has been treated with an alkali to remove the outer hull, causing
the corn kernels to puff up and have a soft, chewy texture. It serves as the
base for the chicharrón (fried pieces of pork). It is fatty, juicy, and oh-so
succulent, harmonizing perfectly with the tender corn.
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Mote con Chicharrón from La Yapa
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Meanwhile, guagua de pan is a traditional Ecuadorian sweet bread decorated
with coloured icing. The bread is slightly firmer than expected and likely
became stale due to the cold and rainy weather. I wish I could try this fresh
from the oven.
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Guagua de Pan from La Yapa
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Beef Quesadillas from Mi Casa Cucina Mexicana
Prepare yourself, for what I'm about to share is nothing short of a culinary
epiphany. Mi Casa Cucina Mexicana serves up what can only be described as the
pinnacle of Mexican beef in Vancouver.
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Beef Quesadillas from Mi Casa Cucina Mexicana
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The beef is tender, juicy, and bursting with flavour and placed upon a warm
tortilla covered with melted cheese. It's a symphony of taste that I can't
wait to revisit at their location on the corner of 4th Avenue and Burrard and
perhaps again on Cinco de Mayo.
Tamales from Jicama y Perejil
This is my second time trying tamales (a traditional Mesoamerican dish made of
masa that is filled with various ingredients, wrapped in a corn husk, and then
steamed or boiled), and the first time was also because of a Pacific Arts
event. I chose tender chicken enveloped by a tamale's embrace.
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Chicken Tamales from Jicama y Perejil
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While the chicken's tender is undeniable, the texture of the corn gives pause,
exhibiting an unexpected grittiness. Moreover, I know tamales need to be
served hot, but this is not warm enough to melt the cheese on top.
Nachos from TACO'N Todo food truck
I have a mild obsession with food trucks and have made a
checklist of food trucks
in Vancouver.
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Beef Nachos from TACO'N Todo food truck
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I ordered nachos topped with beef and was pleasantly shocked at the serving
size. It's good enough for three people, and we manage to conquer it as a duo.
The nacho chips, a personal weakness, deliver pure satisfaction, making this
dish a resounding success.
After our food adventure, we make our way to church for the 5 PM Anticipated
Mass, and I find myself writing this post inside Blenz Coffee at the corner of
West Broadway and Maple. I will edit it at home later this evening.
