Dinner from Ramen Gojiro

Happy Sunday! We didn't do any Boxing Day shopping today, which is a first. Instead, we had errands to run, went to Trees for cheesecake, did window shopping at nearby Indigo, and went straight home.

I told hubby I wanted ramen for dinner because it's below freezing outside. So I ordered from one of my favourite restaurants Ramen Gojiro.

I ordered two Original Karaage because it's my absolute favourite and dipping it in the Spicy Ramen broth is fantastic.

Dinner delivery from Ramen Gojiro

Ramen Spicy Chashu

Yuzu Shio Ramen

The Yuzu Shio Ramen is hubby's order, and it's a clear, smooth broth. It's pretty enjoyable.

Because I was feeling greedy, I ordered Pork Katsu Curry Don.

Pork Katsu Curry Don

We ate some of it, but most became leftovers with Chicken Karaage. Perfect for breakfast tomorrow!

Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee

This year, I have tried more than a handful of the seasonal cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee.

• Matcha Cheesecake last June 6
• Taro Cheesecake last June 26
• Mango Cheesecake last July 18
• Peanut Butter Cheesecake last September 11
• Pumpkin Cheesecake last October 10
• Banoffee Cheesecake last November 28 (no blog post)
• Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake today

My previous favourite was the Matcha Cheesecake. It's so good, but the Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake and all the nuts inside is just to die for.

Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake

The Best 2020 Seasonal Cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee

We didn't do any Boxing Day shopping today, but we went to Trees to enjoy the seasonal cheesecake and have our annual planning meeting.

Christmas Eve Dinner from H-Mart at Home

Every year my sister picks a place on what we'll have for Christmas Eve dinner. This year we had Korean cuisine, specifically Korean BBQ, at home. We purchased a grill, marinated meat, and side dishes.

Christmas Eve Dinner

Below is a list of our past "cuisines":

• 2020 - Chinese Food
• 2019 - French Food
• 2018 - Spanish Food
• 2017 - Japanese Food
• 2016 and 2015 - "Italian" Food (really it's Pizza and my mom's Spaghetti)

After dinner, we played some games then did Karaoke while waiting for midnight. Finally, at midnight, we had our annual tradition of exchanging gifts. It's so much fun to be with everybody. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Lunch from Japadog Drive-Through

Happy Friday and almost Christmas! 🎄 Today my parents picked us up from our place. We're going to celebrate Christmas at their place. Before heading there, we went grocery shopping at H-Mart in Richmond. Our theme for Christmas dinner is Korean cuisine.

After grocery shopping, we dropped by Lansdowne because my sister had to buy a tripod, and since my mom was already starving, we grabbed lunch from the Japadog.

My mom thought we should eat at the food court inside Lansdowne, but I am still paranoid about COVID, so buying a food truck and bringing it home seems the best idea.

Left: Kurobuta Terimayo and Kurobuta Okonomi
Right: Karaage and Wagyu Beef Terimayo

The Kurobuta Terimayo and Kuronuta Okonomi are for my parents, while hubby and I ordered Karaage and Wagyu Beef Terimayo. Surprisingly, I didn't enjoy the Karaage, and I think that's the first Japadog I didn't order.

We also ordered four different Shaked Fries flavours: Butter & Shoyu, Shichimi & Garlic, Aonori, and Black Pepper. I think the Butter & Shoyu is still the best. However, if you want something spicy, the Shichimi & Garlic is a delicious option.

For future me, here's a list of Japadog based on the menu in the McArthurGlen location with a link to which ones you've tried.

1. Kurobuta Terimayo
2. Kurobuta Okonomi
3. Kurobuta Oroshi
4. Kurobuta Love Meat
5. Spicy Cheese Terimayo
6. Yakisoba
7. Ebi Tempura
8. Tonkatsu
9. Hot Spicy
10. Yakiniku Rice
11. Croquiette
12. Karaage (today)
13. Wagyu Beef Terimayo (today)
14. Avocado
15. Cilantro

• Goma Miso Turkey Hotdog (not in the McArthurGlen menu)
• Kobe Beef Terimayo (not in the McArthur Glen menu)

Black Forest Filled Ring Dream Donut from Tim Hortons

Happy Thursday! I had to pick up a package at the nearby FedEx location and decided to order any new dream donut at Tim Hortons.

Black Forest Filled Ring Dream Donut

I am glad that the donut itself is not dry. The inside is filled with what I presume to be cherry, and the other half is chocolate-filled. Is it something I'll order again? Not really.

Dinner from Tim Hortons

We also ordered dinner of large chilli with whole wheat homestyle bun, grilled cheese melt, and Old Fashioned Plain Donut. The Old Fashioned Donut from Lee's Donuts is so much better, but they don't sell it anymore.

Today is the last workday for the week for me and the last workday for the year for hubby.

For references, below are the previous dream donuts we've tried.

• Dulce de Leche Dream Donut from early 2020
• Chocolate Hazelnut Éclair Dream
• Sea Salted Caramel Dream
• New York Cheesecake Dream Donut
• Strawberry Shortcake Filled Ring
• Vanilla Cream Puff Filled Ring
• Apple Pie Dream Donut
• Penguin Dream Donut

Dinner from RedBeef Noodle Kitchen

To say that Redbeef Noodle Kitchen is our second favourite restaurant in Vancouver is an understatement. It's the only restaurant we ordered more than three times this year, and we absolutely love their food. It hits a different spot.

Dinner feast from Redbeef Noodle Kitchen

Curry Chicken Cutlet Rice and Curry Beef Rice

I like the Curry Chicken Cutlet Rice, and it's so nice that the curry sauce is in a separate container. It's like enjoying Chicken Cutlet Rice and having the option to dip it in curry sauce. The Curry Beef Rice is for hubby, and it's so good. I recommend the Curry Beef Rice over the Chicken if you want curry.

Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken

My absolute favourite (and must-try item) from Redbeef is the Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken. It's still so good.

Steamed Creamy Custard Buns

I was hoping the Creamy Custard Buns would be sweet, but it tasted like salted egg yolks. It's delicious, but not something for dessert.

Malay Sponge Cake

This is another favourite from Redbeef. It's so soft, and in general, I love sponge cakes and chiffon cakes. Hmmm, so good.

Lunch from Le Coq Frit

Hubby and I are in "lockdown" 🤣. I attended a dinner with more than 20 people in Burnaby, and the restaurant didn't check vaccination cards. So we will stay home for 14 days and see if we develop any COVID-19 symptoms. If we don't (I hope we don't), we will head to my parents for Christmas Eve dinner.

With that said, this weekend, instead of going out, we ordered in. I was browsing DoorDash, figuring out where and what to order. We don't have any specific cravings, but I found Le Coq Frit. It's a relatively new restaurant along West Broadway. We pass it by a few times when walking to and from church.

I ordered a lot of things which are to be expected.

Lunch from Le Coq Frit

Our delivery arrived in beautiful bags.

Our delivery arrived in reusable bags, which we kept.

Chicken & Croffles
Croissant waffles with Boneless Thigh Real Crispy Chicken, Jalapeno, and Spicy Mayo.

It's my first time trying croffles, and it's so awesome. It's essentially croissants shaped like waffles. It's flakey and buttery. The Real Crispy Chicken is delicious as well. I wish I had ordered more.

9 pieces Original Black Chicken Wings
Coated with Sweet, Savoury, and sticky Soy-Based Sauce

The "Original Black Chicken" tastes like Korean fried chicken. It's sweet and savoury. We loved it and will gladly order it again.

9 pieces Original Red Chicken Wings
Nashville Hot Chicken

The "Original Red Chicken" is spicy. Hubby said it's too hot and we will not order again. The only thing we didn't try from their menu is the Sweet & Spicy Chicken. I can't wait to visit the store soon.

Classic Signature Chicken Burger
Made with French Artisan Brioche Buns, Chicken Breast, Greens, Pickles, and House Sauce

Is it wrong that I will order the chicken burger as well? I can't wait to try it with another chicken flavour to see if it'll make it better or worse.

French Fries
Deep-fried until golden brown, then sprinkled with seasonings

This is not your typical french fries with just salt. It's actually good.

Yam Fries
A golden crispy, delicious side for burgers.

It's your standard yam fries.

Onion Rings

The onion rings are the only thing I can't recommend. Unfortunately, I didn't like it. Thankfully, everything else was delicious. Can't wait to order from Le Coq Frit again.

Week 12 of HelloFresh

This week is the last week we're ordering from HelloFresh for the year.

Cantonese-Style Noodles with Beyond Meat
This tasty veggie knock-off has it all! Tender peppers, chewy chow mein noodles and green beans, all tossed in a glossy salty soy and hoisin sauce!

One-Pot Mexican-Style Quinoa and Black Beans with Lime Crema
This Mexican-style one-pot wonder is jam-packed with veggies and flavour, making this the perfect dinner for any night of the week.

Creamy Paprika Chicken with Sweet Peppers on Buttery Mash
This comforting dish builds slow-cooked flavour, that will have you dreaming of Oma's chicken paprikash, in a fraction of the time. Juicy chicken thighs and sweet bell peppers are a classic pairing for the rich tomatoey sauce.

Beef and Roasted Red Pepper Ragout with Spaghetti
The twist on the classic spaghetti bolognese is a winner! The ragout is packed with tender ground beef and tons of flavour. Topped with a fresh sprinkling of Parmesan, this dish will have everyone in your home going back for more.

This is my last HelloFresh post for the year. In 2021, I ordered fifty two (52) HelloFresh meals in a span of 12 weeks.

Bacon and Mushroom Linguine with Spinach and Thyme
Beef and Roasted Red Pepper Ragout with Spaghetti
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Toasted Pine Nuts and Baby Tomatoes
Cal Smart Caper-Dill Dressed Salmon with Couscous, Tomatoes, and Spinach
Cal Smart Chipotle Pork Chilli with Poblano Peppers and Cheddar Cheese
Cal Smart Harvest Beef Soup with Cream and Potatoes
Cal Smart Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey and Parmesan
Cal Smart Turkey Chilli with Lime Crema
Cal Smart Stewed Harissa Chicken with Peppers and Feta
Cantonese-style Noodles with Beyond Meat x2
Carb Smart Chipotle Beef Chilli with Poblano Peppers and Cheddar Cheese
Carb Smart Moroccan-Style Shrimp Stew with Zucchini, Feta and Almonds
Carb-Smart Stir-Fried Beef with Green Beans and Peppers
Carb Smart Tagliata Steak Salad with Basil Pesto and Arugula
Chinese-Style Beef Bowl with Garlic-Ginger Rice and Green Veggies
Chicken Tikka Masala with Peppers and Garlic Rice
Chorizo Taco Bowls with Lentil Red Rice and Lime Crema
Chow Mein-Style Chicken with Mixed Veggies
Classic Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti and Parmesan
Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini with Mushroom and Peas
Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Spinach and Peppers
Creamy Paprika Chicken with Sweet Peppers on Buttery Mash
Gochujang Sugar-Glazed Shrimp with Seasoned Rice
Golden Thai-Style Chicken Curry with Chow Mein
Ground Turkey Navarin Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Kale and Black Bean Quesadillas with Fresh Tomato Salsa and Crema
Loaded Veggie Penne with Olives and Bocconcini
Mediterranean Falafel Sandwich with Tzatziki and Side Salad
Mediterranean Gnocchi with Bocconcini and Oregano
Not Noona's Chicken Cacciatore with Cavatappi and Basil
One Pot Italian Sausage Soup with Cream and Potatoes
One-Pot Mexican-Style Quinoa and Black Beans with Lime Crema
Rigatoni and Chorizo in Rose Sauce with Roasted Peppers and Spinach
Sausage and Broccolini Pasta with Fresh Penne
Shrimp Chow Mein with Bok Choy
Shrimp Diavolo Linguine with DIY Chili Oil
Spanish Chorizo and Chickpea Stew with Kale, Peppers, and Spiced Croutons
Spicy Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts and Ginger Rice
Spicy Lamb Noodles with Honey Chili Drizzle
Squash Ravioli and Roasted Red Peppers with Spinach Salad
Summer Turkey Bolognese with Basil and Zucchini

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bowls with Green Onion Rice
Sweet 'n' Sour Chicken with Veggie Fried Rice
Tomato Garlic Beef Spaghetti with Sweet Pepper and Zucchini
Tomato Garlic Beef Spaghetti with Sweet Peppers
Tuscan Sausage Linguine with Sweet Bell Pepper, Chili, and Parmesan
Veggie Bulgogi Bowls with Meatless Farm and Gochujang Fried Rice
Veggie Black Bean Curry with Lime-Coconut Quinoa
Veggie Chilli with Tortilla Chips and Sour Cream
Vietnamese-Inspired Basil Beef with Peppers and Garlic-Lime Rice
Zucchini and Lemon Linguini with Basil Pesto and Goat Cheese

Silvanas from The Khaykery | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

Where to get Silvanas in Metro Vancouver?

Happy Wednesday! I opened our fridge today and realized we still have a box of assorted Silvanas from The Khaykery which we got from "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!".

Six Silvanas in a beautiful pink box.

Ta-da!

Taking my first bite. Yum!

10 minutes later - it's gone.

We surprisingly enjoyed the Silvanas. Yay!

Kwek-Kwek from Plato Filipino | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" is an annual Christmas Market organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. It's my first time going with my husband, mom, and younger sister this year.

Where to get Kwek-Kwek in Vancouver?

Plato Filipino is such a happy store. My mom, sister, and I ordered a lot of dishes. I had to stop myself at three while my mom just kept pointing at everything. 🤣

I ordered turon. It's my favourite Filipino dessert and I got lumpiang shanghai as well because why not and right before we leave their booth outside has kwek-kwek and barbecue. My sister was excitedly saying, "Ate, kwek-kwek! Kwek-kwek!" 🤣

Kwek-Kwek and Lumpiang Shanghai

Turon

I placed all items we purchased in the air fryer. It came out perfect as expected.

Dinner at Acqua Restaurant + Bar

I had a busy Saturday. We were running errands all morning, and at around noon, we were buying food from the "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!".

I had dinner with former colleagues organized by the previous company I worked for in the evening. It's pretty awkward to be in the same room with employees who resigned and are still working for the company, to say the least. However, it's nice to see colleagues who became friends.

I had two drinks: Pacific Breeze and She Sells Sea Shells.

Pacific Breeze
Coconut water, iced tea, muddled mint, and lime.

She Sells Sea Shells
Sparkling wine, sweet vermouth syrup, lemon, orange, and soda

For an appetizer, I ordered the Calamari. Meanwhile, for my entree, I selected the Seafood Garganelli Pasta.

Seafood Garganelli Pasta
Salmon, prawns, mussels, pesto, and white wine herb cream sauce (served with garlic bread)

Calamari
Peppers, jalapenos, tartar sauce, and chipotle aioli

To end the evening, I enjoyed a Lava Cake.

Lava Cake
Warm chocolate cake covered with summer berries and ice cream

The food was acceptable. It's nothing to go crazy about, but the portions are small that's why we had to order appetizers and entrees. The drinks were excellent though.

Taho from O! Taho | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" is an annual Christmas Market organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. It's my first time going with my husband, mom, and younger sister this year.

Where to get taho in Vancouver?

Last week, we enjoyed taho from Sago Togo, and today we ordered some from O! Taho. Today's taho is closer in taste and smell than what you will get from the Philippines. The syrup is sweeter than the one from Sago Togo, and the tofu itself is also silkier, but the pearls are not the small ones you expect.

Taho from O! Taho

A perfect taho would be tofu and syrup from O! Taho, but sago pearls from Sago Togo.

Caldereta and Lechong Paksiw from Pampanga's Cuisine | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" is an annual Christmas Market organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. It's my first time going with my husband, mom, and younger sister this year.

On the right of Mr. Siopao de Langley is Pampanga's Cuisine. 

They have a combo of one rice and a choice of available viand. I selected calderetang baka while the hubby chose the lechong paksiw. 

Lechon Paksiw
Roasted pork cooked in Lechon sauce.

Caldereta
A mild spicy beef stew is cooked in herbs, tomato sauce, potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.

Both are delicious, but the best part is that they sell balut. We haven't had it in a long time. Balut is a Philippine delicacy that we don't seek out, but when available, you occasionally have. 

Bola Bola Siopao from Mr. Siopao de Langley | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" is an annual Christmas Market organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. It's my first time going with my husband, mom, and younger sister this year.

After going through the temperature and vaccine card check, the first food booth to welcome you is Mr. Siopao de Langley. I ordered five (one bag) of bola-bola siopao.

Mr. Siopao de Langley

I will update this post once we enjoy the siopao.

Bola-Bola Siopao Update

The Bola-Bola Siopao from Mr. Siopao de Langley tasted like something you will get from the Philippines. I wish I had some sauce to go with it though.

Bola-Bola Siopao

If you're in Langley, then this is definitely a good siopao place, but since I am in Vancouver I still love the Bola-Bola siopao from Bao Bakery.

Though, I did find The Bao Place in Burnaby near Metrotown. I'll definitely check them out and compare if they are any better than the Bao Bakery.

Puto Bumbong from Max's Restaurant | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" is an annual Christmas Market organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. It's my first time going this year, with my husband, mom, and younger sister.

The first food truck we saw outside was Max's Restaurant. You should see how giddy my sister was at the thought of Max's fried chicken.

Max's Restaurant Food Truck

Perusing the menu, I knew I would order the pork barbecue and palabok, then at the bottom of the menu was puto bumbong. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find puto bumbong in Vancouver? I ordered two of the purple rice cake.

It was delicious and nostalgic for Christmas back in the Philippines.

Puto Bumbong

Pork barbecue and palabok

The barbecue was thicker cut, and the palabok was okay as well. However, I prefer both dishes from elsewhere.

We had our Max's food-to-go and enjoyed it in our home with Mama and my younger sister.

Where to buy Puto Bumbong in Metro Vancouver?

Honestly, I have no idea. I am reviewing the Max's Restaurant menu in Vancouver and it seems like the puto bumbong we had is a one-time thing. I will update this post once I found a vendor.

Update:

I found a Facebook vendor selling Filipino snacks and rice cakes: KakaNinz! Her menu includes puto bumbong. I'll order from her, but she's pick-up only. I'll see what I can do.

Dinner from Salmon n' Bannock

As I continued my food coma day and first day as a Canadian Citizen, we ordered dinner from Salmon n' Bannock. I thought of using UberEats, but after our food coma lunch, I took a nap and woke up at 6:00 PM. I checked the app, and it says that Salmon n' Bannock has temporarily closed the store for delivery.

I called the restaurant to check if they were available for takeout orders. The wonderful person I spoke with said yes. I told her that we'd check the menu and call back with our choices for pick-up.

I looked at the Mains section of the takeout menu and realized we tried two of the five possible options last Canada Day, so I ordered the remaining three for tonight.

Salmon n' Bannock Dinner

Fiss n' Barley
Our Wild Sockeye Salmon is served on our barley. Served with Seasonal Vegetables and Signature Bannock.

The Fiss n' Barley was delicious. I love the grilled Brussels sprouts, perfectly cooked salmon, and flavourful rice (they didn't have barley). However, it didn't come with the signature bannock.

Bannock Tacos
Our signature bannock is covered in house chilli and topped with organic greens, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese.

The person who took our order over the phone recommended we add bacon on top of the tacos, and oh boy, was that a fantastic suggestion. The flavour of tacos is all here, but it's on top of delicious Bannock instead of a tortilla.

Signature Bannock with House Chili (Vegetarian)

The chilli is excellent, and I wondered why I thought the one they serve at Tim Hortons is even close. Freshly cut tomatoes, black beans, melted cheese, and a bit of heat. It's perfect for this rainy evening.

We enjoyed our dinner while watching the Vancouver Canucks win over the Winnipeg Jets.