Dan Dan Ramen and Okonomiyaki from Yuu Japanese Tapas

After our trip to Mexico and before my sister's trip to the Philippines with her boyfriend, we decided to meet up and hang out at our parents' house. For dinner, we ordered from Yuu Japanese Tapas because it's our youngest sister's favorite spot in Richmond. She absolutely loves their Japanese curry.

Dan Dan Ramen from Yuu Japanese Tapas

With that said, this time I decided to try their Dan Dan Ramen. This saucy noodle dish is my absolute go-to if it's available in Chinese restaurants, and Yuu's Japanese version is glorious. I'll probably order this again from Yuu over my favorite dish of all time, the Japanese curry.

Okonomiyaki from Yuu Japanese Tapas

Hubby and I also shared an okonomiyaki, a dish that's uncommon in Japanese spots. So each time we see it, we get it. This soft sweet-savory pancake filled with seafood and veggies is something we adore. It was a great day spent with family.

Bulgogi Beef Rice Bowl from Disco Cheetah

Happy Thursday! It's team lunch, and the theme is Korean, so we ordered from Disco Cheetah.

I chose the Bulgogi Beef Rice Bowl instead of creating my own custom bowl. It arrived with a generous serving of rice, a fresh green salad, a perfectly poached egg, creamy smashed potatoes, vibrant red pickled cabbage, scallions, crispy shallots, garlic ranch, and a zesty chili sauce.

Bulgogi Beef Rice Bowl from Disco Cheetah

Each bite was perfectly balanced: the tender, sweet-savoury beef was the highlight, with its rich, umami flavour. The rice provided a comforting base, while the poached egg added a luscious creaminess. The smashed potatoes were velvety and indulgent, while the pickled cabbage brought a tangy crunch that contrasted beautifully with the other ingredients. The crispy shallots added a satisfying crunch, and the garlic ranch and chili sauce delivered a creamy, slightly spicy kick. Together, it was an incredibly delicious and satisfying combination.

Classic Blaze with Lettuce Bun and Veggie (Harvest) Patty from Blaze Gourmet Burgers

When it comes to burgers, Blaze Gourmet Burgers delivers a menu bursting with customization options. For team lunch today, I opted for their Classic Blaze but gave it a personal twist: I swapped out the Certified Angus Beef patty for their veggie (Harvest) patty and traded the traditional bun for a lettuce bun. My choices sounds healthy but I couldn’t resist keeping the crispy, savoury bacon.

What sets the Classic Blaze apart is its thoughtful balance of ingredients. The crunch of fresh lettuce and tomato pairs beautifully with the tang of crunchy pickles, offering a crisp and refreshing contrast to the rich, smoky bacon. The veggie patty, packed with savoury depth, serves as the perfect foundation, holding its own against the bold flavours. And let’s not forget the Blaze Sauce – creamy, slightly tangy, and a touch indulgent – it ties everything together in a flavour-packed bite.

Classic Blaze with veggie (Harvest) patty and lettuce "bun" from Blaze Gourmet Burgers
Cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, crunchy pickles, and blaze sauce

Switching to a lettuce bun was a game-changer. It added a light, fresh crunch that complemented the rich and smoky elements of the burger without overpowering them. Yes, it’s messier to eat – there’s no way around that – but the vibrant flavour, satisfying texture, and lower calories more than made up for the extra napkins. It was a delicious departure from the usual bun, and I’ve decided to make it my go-to choice whenever available.

If you haven’t tried a lettuce bun yet, give it a go! It might just surprise you. Blaze Gourmet Burgers makes it easy to experiment while ensuring every bite is packed with flavour.

Miss U Lox from Schmuck's Bagels

Happy Thursday! Today, for our company-paid team lunch, we enjoyed a delicious bagel theme. The Melbourne office is a huge fan of Schmuck's Bagels, and for good reason. It's one of the few places that can consistently handle large orders on the same day.

Miss U Lox from Schmuck's Bagels
Smoked salmon, creamy cream cheese, pickled red onion, tomato, capers, fresh dill, & lemon on rye

I opted for the "Miss u Lox" bagel, my go-to choice for a bagel sandwich with salmon and capers. The smoked salmon provided a rich, salty flavor, complemented by the smooth, tangy cream cheese. The pickled red onion and tomato added a burst of acidity and sweetness, while the capers provided a briny, salty kick. The fresh dill and lemon added a bright, herbaceous flavor, although the lemon was a bit overpowering for my taste. Overall, it was a delicious bagel sandwich, but I would have preferred less lemon.

This is my second bagel sandwich in Melbourne, and I still prefer the version from Brown Bagels.

Pesto Srhimp Linguine from Basil Pasta Bar

This Thursday's team lunch took us to Italy, specifically a delicious adventure in the land of pasta. We ordered from Basil Pasta Bar, and while my Pesto Shrimp Linguine boasted all the hallmarks of a flavorful dish, it fell a little short of its full potential.

Let's dissect the beauty that awaited me: perfectly cooked al dente linguine formed the base, ready to cradle the star of the show - a creamy pesto sauce. This wasn't your average pesto sauce, though. Imagine a vibrant green infusion of basil's earthy goodness swirled with the richness of the cream, all gently nudged into a complex dance by the subtle acidity of white wine.

Pesto Shrimp Linguinefrom Basil Pasta Bar
Pesto cream sauce with white wine, shrimp, garlic, and spinach. Garnished with parmesan cheese & fresh basil

Then came the parade of add-ins: plump, juicy shrimp, their delicate sweetness playing off the pesto's savoury notes. Garlic, a constant companion in Italian cuisine, added a touch of warmth, while the spinach provided a welcome pop of freshness and a touch of bitterness to balance the creaminess. Finally, a generous shower of parmesan cheese and fresh basil completed the picture, promising an explosion of Italian flavour.

Unfortunately, the promise wasn't entirely fulfilled. The overall dish was bland. A quick sprinkle of salt would have easily unlocked the symphony of flavours I expected. Each component — the pesto's herbal depth, the shrimp's subtle sweetness, and the parmesan's sharp bite — was present, but they needed a conductor to bring them together in perfect harmony.

With a touch more salt, this Pesto Shrimp Linguine has the potential to be a light and fresh pesto dream. The foundation was there, the ingredients delightful, and with a minor adjustment, it could have been a true testament to the magic of Italian cuisine.

Sick Day Survival: Orange Juice and Turmeric Shot from Trish Juice

This week has been a rough one. That persistent cough just wouldn't quit, and let's be honest, crawling out of bed for anything but tissues and cough syrup wasn't exactly appealing. But sometimes, a little self-care is the strongest medicine. Enter Trish Juice, my new favourite Vancouver destination, for a delicious (hopefully effective) pick-me-up.

Knowing I needed a vitamin boost, I started with their fresh-squeezed orange juice. Bonus points for the buy-one-get-one-free deal – a small victory in a week of feeling under the weather. The sunshine in a glass was exactly what I needed to perk up my taste buds.

Trish Juice Wellness Package

Now, for the not-so-delicious but hopefully powerful part of my order: the Turmeric Shot. This concoction of turmeric, lemon, ginger, honey, and coconut water sounds exotic, but let's be honest – it's a mouthful, literally and figuratively. I held my breath, tossed it back, and braced for the worst... It wasn't great, but hey, if it knocks out this cough, I'll take it!

To end on a high note, I indulged in a sweet treat (or two). The chocolate chip banana pudding was creamy and decadent, the perfect antidote to a week of feeling blah. For a lighter option, I also grabbed the island's dream parfait — a tropical paradise in a cup bursting with yogurt, pineapple, mango, and granola.

Turmeric Shot, Orange Juice, Island Dream Parfait, and Chocolate Chip Banana Pudding from Trish Juice

Trish Juice definitely hit the spot. Their commitment to fresh, healthy ingredients is evident in every sip and bite. While the Turmeric Shot might be a challenge to swallow, the rest of the menu is a delicious path to wellness. So next time you feel run down, skip the greasy takeout and head to Trish Juice for a taste of sunshine and a kickstart to feeling your best.

Spaghetti Pesto Verde from Casereccio Foods

Thursdays just got a whole lot tastier! Thanks to our fantastic company's treat, this week's team lunch took a delightful detour to Casereccio Foods in Kitsilano. I ordered the spaghetti pesto verde with chicken, and it was nothing short of amazing.

Casereccio Foods, meaning "homemade" in Italian, lives up to its name in every way. The star of the show was undoubtedly the freshly made pasta. Each perfectly cooked strand held its shape beautifully, offering a delightful springy texture that danced on the palate.

The crowning glory of this dish, however, was the pesto verde. This vibrant green sauce has fresh, high-quality ingredients and a complex flavour profile. The herbaceous notes of basil were perfectly balanced by the earthy tones of pine nuts and the sharp tang of parmesan cheese.

Spaghetti Pesto Verde from Casereccio Foods
Traditional Basil Pesto is made with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano, and garlic.

While we enjoyed the convenience of delivery for our team lunch, Casereccio Foods is definitely a place I'd love to check out in person.

A Chicken Lover's Diary: Popeyes Takes the Crown in Tenders and Nuggets

Picture this: It's Saturday night, and the only thing on my mind is satisfying my intense chicken craving. The choices are endless, but this time, my heart (and stomach) led me straight to Popeyes. While I've always enjoyed their signature chicken, this evening called for something different—tender, juicy, and bite-sized delights. So, Popeyes chicken tenders and nuggets it was!

Dinner feast from Popeyes

Last week, I indulged in the crispy goodness of Church's Chicken, and the week before that, I savoured Taiwanese popcorn chicken at Redbeef Noodle. Each experience was unique, but Popeyes was calling my name this time.

Tantalizing Tenders

As I sank my teeth into Popeyes chicken tenders, I couldn't help but marvel at the perfect balance of crispy and tender. The seasoned batter clung to each strip, creating a symphony of flavours with every bite. It was like a culinary revelation—proof that not all tenders are made equal. The exterior was golden and crunchy, giving way to succulent, flavorful chicken that left me craving more.

5-piece Tenders from Popeyes
5 pieces of Popeyes' famous chicken tenders marinated in mouthwatering Louisiana herbs and seasonings, then hand-battered and breaded in our crunchy southern coating. Fried until golden brown.

Nuggets of Joy

Now, let's talk about those chicken nuggets. Popeyes has managed to elevate the humble nugget into a work of art. These bite-sized wonders were like little nuggets of joy, delivering a burst of flavour in every pop. Whether dunked in sauce or enjoyed on their own, each nugget was a testament to Popeyes' commitment to chicken perfection. This is shockingly better than McDonald's or any fast-food chain nuggets I have tried.

8-piece Nuggets from Popeyes
8 mild, juicy chicken breast pieces made with white meat and hand-battered and breaded in our buttermilk coating.

Signature Chicken Who?

Don't get me wrong, Popeyes' signature chicken was good. However, something about the tenders and nuggets stole the spotlight. With the crispy exterior and the tender interior, Popeyes had cracked the code to create chicken delights that exceeded all expectations.

2-piece Classic Spicy Signature Chicken Combo with Cajun Fries and warm buttermilk biscuit from Popeyes
2 pieces of Popeyes signature chicken, marinated for 12 hours in traditional savoury Louisiana herbs and seasonings, then battered with crunchy southern coating and fried until golden brown.

Sides

And let's not forget the unsung heroes—Popeyes' onion rings and fries. They were the perfect companions to my chicken feast. The onion rings had the ideal crunch, and the fries were perfectly seasoned.

2-piece Classic Spicy Signature Chicken Combo with Onion Rings and warm buttermilk biscuit from Popeyes
2 pieces of Popeyes signature chicken, marinated for 12 hours in traditional savoury Louisiana herbs and seasonings, then battered with crunchy southern coating and fried until golden brown.

In the world of chicken cravings, Popeyes emerged as the reigning champion on that Saturday night. The tenders, the nuggets, the sides—it was a feast fit for a chicken enthusiast like me. So, if you find yourself in the midst of a chicken craving, heed my advice and make your way to Popeyes. Your taste buds will thank you.

Jungle Curry from Talay Thai Restaurant

 Happy Thursday! It's team lunch, and the theme is potatoes. Since we missed Thai food last week because of the snow, we decided to order it this week. We got it from Talay Thai Restaurant, delivered by UberEats. I chose Jungle Curry under the menu's Special Talay Thai Dishes section.

Jungle Curry is different from my usual green curry. The heat factor is unapologetically more intense, as it embraces its spicy nature with gusto, delivering a fiery kick that leaves a lingering warmth on the tongue. Other than the heat, the core of this culinary masterpiece is the finger root, known locally as ka chai, which imparts a unique earthy and aromatic essence to the curry.

Jungle Curry from Talay Thai Restaurant
A true central northeast Thai curry prepared with finger root (ka chai) and special Thai herbs. Your choice of chicken, pork, or beef. Ask to have it mild if you can't take real Thai hot curry.

I enjoyed this with steamed coconut Thai rice, which absorbed every spoonful of sauce. Yum!

General Green Chicken Curry from Thai Express

Happy snowy Thursday in Vancouver! For team lunch, the theme is Thai food. Unfortunately, I'm the only one in the office today because I'm watching the Canucks game tonight.

Green Curry from Thai Express
Silky, creamy, and spicy green curry made with coconut milk perched on a bed of aromatic rice.

I ordered too much food from Thai Express. They arrived acceptable. I enjoyed their green curry sauce but did not like the battered chicken or the General Thai Bok Bok Bag. I'd like to think that it is better enjoyed in the store. Otherwise, it's just a sad attempt at chicken nuggets.

General Thai Bok Bok Bag from Thai Express
Indulge in crispy and irresistibly tender pieces of signature General Thai chicken

However, I'll still happily dip it in green curry sauce.

Thai Chicken Wings from Thai Express
Try our irresistibly crispy and lightly seasoned chicken wings served with our signature sweet chili dipping sauce.

I also ordered Thai Chicken Wings because I want fried chicken. It was standard fried chicken wings.

Nasi Lemak with Chicken from John 3:16 Malaysian Delights

For team lunch today, they chose Malaysian cuisine and even suggested the dish they plan to order in the Melbourne office: Nasi Lemak. Because we want to feel connected to our colleagues on the other side of the Pacific, we also ordered Nasi Lemak with Chicken from John 3:16 Malaysian Delights.

Nasi Lemak with Chicken from John 3:16 Malaysian Delights

The nasi lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves. It is fragrant and has a subtle, sweet coconut flavour. It is a party in your mouth when paired with the succulent, juicy chicken. The meal also includes crunchy peanuts, crispy anchovies, and spicy sambal. It's perfect. Yay for happy food.

Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets from KFC

Happy Saturday! I'm still dealing with jetlag and a major KFC craving hit, so I decided to order some for delivery. In our order, I included 10 pieces of the new Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets and my trusty Variety Bucket, which comes with 8 pieces of chicken, 4 chicken tenders, and a medium serving of popcorn chicken.

Variety Bucket from KFC
8 pieces of Canadian farm-raised and hand-breaded Original Recipe chicken, 4 white meat chicken tenders hand-breaded in our 11 herbs and spices, medium Popcorn chicken, large fries, and 2 dips.

Unfortunately, the Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets and the chicken tenders turned out to be quite salty. Even after reheating, the saltiness was hard to ignore. Thankfully, the popcorn chicken and the classic secret recipe fried chicken tasted as delicious as usual.

10-piece Nuggets from KFC

I discussed the chicken nuggets with my sister, and she mentioned they tasted fantastic, much like the KFC back in the Philippines. I told her our experience was marred by excessive saltiness.

Golden Original Wings and Red Chak-Chak Fries from bb.q Chicken

It's Thursday, which means company-paid team lunch and the chosen cuisine for this week is Korean. My colleague and I went for Korean fried chicken from bb.q Chicken, a restaurant brand from South Korea.

I ordered the Golden Original Wings, and we got Red Chak Chak Fries for sharing.

Golden Original Wings from bb.q Chicken
Korean fried chicken at its best. Juicy and tender inside, light and crispy outside

It's difficult to screw up Korean fried chicken, and the Golden Original Wings delivers. It has enough crisp on the outside and juicy inside. Of course, I fell in love with the Chak Chak Fries. It's flavourful and spicy. As I grew older, I stopped craving spicy food just for the sake of the heat with little to no flavour. The Chak Chak Fries is perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of heat.

For amusement, below is a list of our team lunches so far.

Week Number:

Brazilian: Boteco Brasil Chicken: Nando's Japanese: SUSHI UOmo Japanese Restaurant Bagel: Rosemary Rocksalt Thai: Thai Away Home Bagel (but we went for sandwiches): Meat & Bread Pies: Peaked Pies

Comfort Food: Nene Chicken Burger: Five Guys Burgers & Fries Italian: The Old Spaghetti Factory Vietnamese: Pholicious Japanese: Tokyo in April Korean: bb.q Chicken

Drumsticks and Shack-Shack Fries from Nene Chicken

Happy Thursday! This week, our team's lunch theme is comfort food. When asked what familiar culinary flavours I seek for solace, I immediately responded 'fried chicken.' A follow-up question inquired whether I preferred the standard version or the Korean iteration, to which I replied, 'Either work - after all, both are forms of fried chicken.;

With our theme decided, I embarked on a quest (searched) to discover the finest options available for delivery in Vancouver. This culinary exploration (Google) led us to Nene Chicken, renowned for its delectable Korean fried chicken offerings. This marked my first foray into Vancouver's Korean fried chicken scene, adding to my excitement.

Original Drumstick from Nene Chicken

Working within a budget, I opted for a classic order: the Shack-Shack Fries and a 3-piece serving of original drumsticks. Meanwhile, my colleague indulged in a 5-piece drumstick, enhanced with the addition of the snowing chilli sauce. We exchanged portions, with her offering a piece of her drumstick while she received a share of my fries.

Snowing Chilli from Nene Chicken

The drumsticks showcased a light yet satisfyingly crispy batter, although some sections did exhibit a touch of sogginess, which is understandable given it was delivered. Beneath the delicate exterior, the chicken meat was remarkably juicy. With the addition of the snowing chilli sauce, its fiery spiciness certainly provided a vibrant wake-up call for my senses. In contrast, the cheese power of the Shack-Shack Fries introduced a balance of flavours.

Our Nene Chicken team lunch was gratifying, satiating my hunger for delectable fried chicken. This experience solidified Nene Chicken's reputation as a place of comfort food par excellence, leaving me looking forward to a future visit.

For my amusement, below is a list of our team lunch so far:

Week Number:

1. Brazilian: Boteco Brasil
2. Chicken: Nando's
3. Japanese: SUSHI UOmo Japanese Restaurant
4. Bagel: Rosemary Rocksalt
5. Thai: Thai Away Home
6. Bagel (but we went for sandwiches): Meat & Bread
7. Pies: Peaked Pies
8. Comfort Food: Nene Chicken

Traditional Aussie and Lamington from Peaked Pies in Vancouver

Thursday is team lunch day, followed by work-from-home Friday. This week a colleague from Melbourne chose pies. I searched for "Aussie Pie Vancouver" and found Peaked Pies.

Traditional Aussie Pie

I'm no pie expert, but that is the best savoury pie I've had. It has a flaky exterior and a juicy, perfectly seasoned interior. I honestly thought it'll be a small pie, but I was full and sleepy after lunch.

Traditional Aussie Pie with "Get Peaked" Add-On from Peaked Pies
Ground beef, onion, and gravy

I also chose the "Get Peaked" add-on, which means my pie is topped with mashed potato, mushy green peas, and gravy. It was amazing. I do not like mushed green peas, but the gravy was excellent.

Traditional Aussie Pie from Peaked Pies

Lamington

It's my first time hearing (reading) about Lamington. It is apparently a classic Australian dessert of soft sponge cake dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut.

Lamington from Peaked Pies
This traditional Australian dessert is a vanilla sponge cake dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut.

This is my kind of dessert. I love light and airy sponge cake and enjoy chocolate, but topping it with chewy coconut pushes it to the top in flavour and texture.

I have a new appreciation of themed team lunches because I can try new restaurants and dishes for free (company paid).

For my amusement, below is a list of our team lunch so far:

Week Number:

1. Brazilian: Boteco Brasil
2. Chicken: Nando's
3. Japanese: SUSHI UOmo Japanese Restaurant
4. Bagel: Rosemary Rocksalt
5. Thai: Thai Away Home
6. Bagel (but we went for sandwiches): Meat & Bread
7. Pies: Peaked Pies

Green Curry from Thai Away Home Restaurant

Happy Thursday! For team lunch today, we ordered Thai cuisine, and I went for my usual spicy green chicken curry from Thai Away Home Restaurant. Our lunch is delivered by Uber Eats and we enjoyed it in the rooftop of the office building.

Green Thai Coconut Chicken Curry Combo
Served with rice, salad,  and spring roll

Since I just had green curry recently, I can make a good comparison. This is much better, but it seems unfair since I got the previous curry at a mild spice level.

Overall, it was a satisfying lunch. Thank God for company-paid food.

For my amusement, below is a list of our team lunch so far:

Week Number:

1. Brazilian: Boteco Brasil
2. Chicken: Nando's
3. Japanese: SUSHI UOmo Japanese Restaurant
4. Bagel: Rosemary Rocksalt
5. Thai: Thai Away Home

Hastings-Sunrise Bagel Sandwich from Rosemary Rocksalt

It's my 4th team lunch at my current work, and our co-founder chose a bagel. I ordered from Rosemary Rocksalt because they're in Uber Eats.

I ordered Hastings-Sunrise with Rosemary Rocksalt Bagel and a side of potato wedges.

Hastings-Sunrise with Rosemary Rocksalt Bagel

The tender brisket between a toasted salty bagel, melted cheddar, and soft egg is the perfect sandwich hitting all textures. I enjoyed it.

Potato Wedges from Rosemary Rocksalt

The potato wedges arrived soggy after 20 minutes of delivery time. It's still impressive, though. You can see that it's real potatoes.

Facing North

I ate my lunch on the rooftop of the building with the gorgeous view of lush mountains and blue skies. Thank God for all the blessings.

Beef Teriyaki Box from SUSHI UOmo Restaurant

For team lunch this week, a colleague from Cork chose Japanese cuisine (specifically sushi). Since we're having it delivered and it's 30°C outside, I am worried that raw fish delivered might not be a good idea; that's why I went for the Beef Teriyaki Box.

It was a lot of food, and I finished it all! I have tried a better Japanese bento box, but judging it since it was delivered seems unfair. Everything was packed well (no spills), and it was edible.

Beef Teriyaki Box delivered from SUSHI UOmo Restaurant
Appetizer tempura, beef teriyaki with rice, California roll, salad, and house appetizer

My teriyaki box came with appetizer tempura (2 pieces prawns and 3 pieces vegetables), beef teriyaki with rice, California roll, salad, 2 pieces gyoza, and miso soup. I was happy and surprisingly didn't feel a food coma after.

For my amusement, below is a list of our team lunch so far:

• Brazil: Boteco Brasil
• Portugal / South Africa: Nando's
• Japanese: SUSHI UOmo Japanese Restaurant

Hot Pero-Peri Chicken Bowl from Nando's

It's my second team lunch, and one of my colleagues in Melbourne, Australia, picked Nando's which happened to be available in all three global offices! I think I need to explain things further. I started a new job two weeks ago, and my new work has three offices: HQ in Melbourne and an office here (Vancouver) and Cork, Ireland. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Nando's is available in all three cities.

PERi-PERi Chicken Bowl and Naughty Natas from Nandos's

I ordered the Peri-Peri Chicken Bowl (Hot), and boy, was it spicy! Thank God I didn't pick the Extra Hot. It's the perfect bowl of spicy, juicy chicken, savoury rice, soft roasted red peppers, bitter arugula, sweet corn, and creamy hummus. It has all the flavours and balancing textures.

PERi-PERi Chicken Bowl from Nandos's
Portuguese rice topped with PERi-PERi chicken, arugula, roasted red peppers, corn, and hummus.

We ordered our lunch via UberEats, and they're having a promo of buy 1 take 1 on Naughty Natas, so we got to enjoy one each. It's the fantastic ending to a delicious lunch. It's sweet, flaky, and creamy. I want more.

Naughty Natas from Nando's
Traditional Portuguese custard tart

Thank God for the many blessings. We enjoyed our lunch on the rooftop of our office building.

I love Nando's delivery bags.

For my amusement, below is a list of our team lunch so far:

• Brazil: Boteco Brasil
• Portugal / South Africa: Nando's

Feijoada from Boteco Brasil

I'd like to think of myself as a foodie, but I realize the only Brazilian food I have tried is Brazilian Pastels from Whatafood. Today is my first team lunch at my new job, and one of our colleagues picked Brazilian cuisine, so we in the Vancouver office ordered from Boteco Brasil.

I had zero idea what to order, but then I briefly met with our HR, and she showed me a presentation introducing all my colleagues, and one of them said that their favourite was Feijoada. I ordered that.

I'm Filipino, and I have no idea which of our food to compare it to. It's essentially beans and meats. We don't eat a lot of beans in the Philippines, and when we do, it's usually with fish.

It's saltier than I liked, and I don't know if it's supposed to be like that, but it works exceptionally well with rice. Feijoada has a thick and velvety texture. The black beans are creamy, while the pork melt-in-your-mouth. There's sausage in what I received, providing another texture.

Feijoada
Authentic Brazilian-style black bean and pork stew served with basmati rice, sautéed kale, farofa (toasted cassava flour), vinaigrette salsa, and a slice of orange.

It was served with sautéed kale (salty again), farofa (toasted cassava flour), and a slice of orange.

For the next team lunch, I'll do research if I'm unfamiliar with the cuisine so I know what to order and how best to eat it.