Lunch at Bourbon St. Grill

This is the best deal in the Richmond Center food court. For less than $15, you can get a plate full of your choice of meat, vegetable, and carbs.

Food from Bourbon St. Grill

Foursquare Adventure (Afghan Restaurant): Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

In celebration of Foursquare Day, I am starting a world tour (while staying in Metro Vancouver) with food based on the Food categories of Foursquare!

Afghan Restaurants in Vancouver 

First on the Foursquare alphabetical list of categories is Afghan Restaurants. According to Foursquare, four restaurants are categorized under Afghan Restaurants.

Foursquare Map

We decided to try Afghan Chopan from the list because it's affordable, and it's accessible. "East is East" is closer to our home and has a higher rating, but the food is a mixture of Indian and Afghan cuisine, so we went to Afghan Chopan instead.

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

It's a small place (with about 9 chairs and 3 tables), but the branch on No. 3 Road is closing permanently on April 20, 2018. They have a new branch around a 10-minute walk near the Richmond Public Market at Westminster Highway.

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu

Ashak for Appetizer 

They have three choices for appetizer - Bolani, Mantu, and Ashak. Before going here, I was reading Wikipedia about Afghan food, and because of that, I decided to get Ashak. I initially want Mantu, but I thought it's close to Korean Mandu, so I went for something different.

Ashak for Appetizer
Menu Description: A very delightful and common Afghan recipe, steamed dough with leeks topped with sauce and yogurt.

The dumpling itself is cooked well, and it wasn't chewy, and it's not fried, so it's not crunchy either. The sauce on top is delicious. I love beans. The sauce shows more of the personality of the cuisine. In the Philippines, we have soy sauce and chilli flakes as we like our food saltier. It seems like Afghan cuisine, loves their spices and well, tomato-based dishes.

Pallow and Kebab for Main Meal

I chose Afghan Chopan because I think it's affordable and oh boy was I blown away. Jomar ordered Assorted Kebab while I got the Pallow Special. There was so much food! I think it's suitable for 3 people. Everything is so good! I will go back just for the Pallow! It's mildly spicy and incredibly flavorful. Meanwhile, the Kebab was seasoned well, tender, and melts in your mouth.

Pallow Special
Menu Description: Tender pieces of beef shank beneath Afghan steamed basmati rice served with side vegetable.

Assorted Kebab with side salad
Menu Description: One skewer each of chicken, shami (ground beef), and tekka (beef tenderloin) kebab

We finished everything, just the two of us.

Ferny for Dessert 

Based on the food we've tried, it's evident that Afghan food isn't into extreme. I mean so far, nothing we've had is TOO spicy or salty, so I wasn't expecting the only dessert in the menu to be sweet. It's called Ferney, and I was right that it wasn't delicious.

Ferny
Menu Description: Milk Pudding made with a hint of cardamon and topped with Pistachios.

It was soft, and when we started digging in, it slowly lost its form. The pistachios on top provided crunch and texture to the whole thing.


Have you tried Afghan food before? How was it?

Lunch at Church's Chicken

After Mass, we had a quick lunch at Church's Chicken.

Chicken Sandwich

We love chicken!

Dinner Celebration at Cactus Club Cafe

Tonight, we are celebrating my parent's wedding anniversary with dinner at Cactus Club in Richmond Center.

Vegetarian Burger with Fries

Vegetarian Burger up close

Lunch after Boxing Day shopping at Ryuu Japanese Kitchen

After four hours of shopping and buying all the things we need, time to have lunch at Ryuu Japanese Kitchen!

The Appetizer menu has all the things we like about Japanese restaurants, so we end up getting Chicken Karaage and Gyoza. We also got Yam Fries just because we can.

Chicken Karaage, Gyoza, and Yam Fries

I also got a Katsu Curry because it's available.

Katsu Curry

Breakfast before boxing day at McD's

Enjoying my wrap for breakfast before a whole day of shopping!

Lunch at Saboten and Yougo Chicken

I like the Aberdeen Food Court. They have stalls that serve two of my fave dishes.

Saboten serves Katsu Curry while Yougo Chicken offers Taiwanese-style fried chicken. I love both dishes.

Loin Katsu Currry

Taiwanese-style Fried Chicken

Best Fried Chicken for Dinner

The best fried chicken in Metro Vancouver that I have tried is still from LA Chicken. As a Filipina, I wish I have rice to eat it with.

LA Chicken

Pho Dinner at Pho Japolo

I had a long emotional day at work. Warm pho soup for dinner at Pho Japolo to make me feel better.

Pho from Pho Japolo

Breakfast at Ikea Restaurant

Our family loves breakfast from Ikea. It's cheap and good enough. Plus, if you come in early (9:30 AM) you get free coffee.

Sashimi at Kisha Poppo

Dinner at Pajo's in YVR

The boyfriend arrived today from the Philippines for a 1-month vacation. The first order of business: fish and chips for dinner at Pajo's.

Salmon Fish & Chips

Fish and Chips from Pajo's

Late Lunch at Japadog

Okonomi and Yakisoba

Curry Fries

Dinner at Thai Son

Despite its name, Thai Son is actually a Vietnamese restaurant. Last dinner with the family before I get hitched in two weeks.

Vermicelli Bowl

Lunch at Fatburger

Chicken Tenders

The Original Farburger

Mother's Day Dinner Celebration at Dai Jang Kum

We're celebrating Mother's Day early this year. My mom loves Dai Jang Kum and Korean food, so here we are.

Korean BBQ

Seafood Pancake

Dumpling Trail: Shibuyatei Sushi & Larmen

I had dinner with my parents and sisters tonight at Shibuyatei Sushi & Larmen. This is part of Richmond's "Dumpling Trail".

Left to Right: Scallops Gyoza, Pork Gyoza, and Shrimp Gyoza

Charshumen

Katsu Curry

Lunch Bento Plate: California Roll, Green Salad, Spinach Goma-ae, and Ebikatsu

Desserts at Outpost Mini Donuts Company

After lunch at Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill, we enjoyed mini donuts from Outpost Mini Donuts Company.

Mini Donuts

Lunch at Shady Island Seafood Bar & Grill

After Mass, my parents, youngest sister, and I went to Steveston Village in Richmond to take a walk under the sun. It's a beautiful day to be out and enjoy fish and chips.

Fish and Chips for lunch

Lunch at Lotus

Happy Easter! Happy Foursquare Day!

After attending Easter Sunday Mass, my mother and I decided to have lunch at Lotus.

Pho and Spring Roll