Uncovering BBQ in Richmond: A Review of HK BBQ Master

My brother celebrated his birthday last week, and today, he requested Crispy Roast Pork from HK BBQ Master.

HK BBQ Master is a famous Hong Kong-style barbecue restaurant in Richmond, BC. They were featured in David Chang's Netflix Original series 'Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner' episode with Seth Rogen as they eat through Vancouver.

BBQ Duck waiting to be served at HK BBQ Master

After waiting in line for 5 to 10 minutes which is better than I thought it could be given that it's Saturday lunch, we noticed a sign that you can phone in to pre-order by calling their number: 604-272-6568. We didn't know this, so I hope you find it useful.

When we got to the counter, I ordered 2 lbs of Crispy Roast Pork and 2 lbs of Honey BBQ Pork, and half BBQ duck. Of course, we went to my parent's place right away to enjoy it with rice.

The Crispy Roast Pork looks and tastes familiar. In the Philippines, we call it fried liempo, which I enjoy with Filipino lechon sauce. The crispy golden-brown skin is such a perfect complement to the tender meat. My mouth is watering thinking about it again.

Crispy Roast Pork from HK BBQ Master

Meanwhile, the BBQ duck is not as flavourful as Honey BBQ Pork, but the skin was crispy, and the meat was juicy, so the textures were on point, but the pork dishes were better.

BBQ Duck from HK BBQ Master

The Honey BBQ Pork is my favourite of the meat we ordered today. It has a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavours known for its succulent texture with a sticky, sweet, and savoury glaze.

Honey BBQ Pork from HK BBQ Master

Overall, I want to return and order more meat and enjoy it at home with steamed vegetables.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Tim Hortons' Oreo® Double Stuf Iced Capp

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate summer treat! Tim Hortons has just released their latest creation - the Oreo Double Stuf Iced Capp. This new drink combines two classic treats to create a flavor explosion that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Made with Tim Hortons' signature Iced Capp blended with OREO® cookie pieces and vanilla syrup, and topped with vanilla-flavored whipped topping and even more OREO® cookie pieces on top, this drink is sure to be a fan-favorite.

I'll start by saying I have no idea why it's 'stuf' with a single f and not the proper spelling "Stuffed." Anyway, for dinner, we ordered the OREO® Double Stuf Iced Capp and tried the Regular Turkey Bacon Club for the first time.

OREO® Double Stuf Iced Capp

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw new drinks on the Tim Hortons app. One of which is the OREO® Double Stuf Iced Capp. It was creamier than other Iced Capp variants and topped with crushed Oreo. It's probably 3rd on my favourite Iced Capp (number 1 is the S'mores from last summer, and number 2 is the Salted Caramel from the summer before last).

OREO® Double Stuf Iced Capp from Tim Hortons
Two classic treats combined to make the drink of the summer! Tims iconic Iced Capp is taken to another level by being blended with OREO® cookie pieces and vanilla syrup, topped with vanilla-flavoured whipped topping, and finished off with even more OREO® cookie pieces on top for a DOUBLE STUF OREO® flavour.

OREO® Double Stuf Iced Capp from Tim Hortons

Regular Turkey Bacon Club Artisan Sandwich

The Regular Turkey Bacon Club was dry. I get that turkey is a slice of dryer meat, but Tim Hortons's bread is just dry and too big for the filling. I don't know if more sauce would make it better, but after trying two sandwiches (including this one), I wonder if any of them would be good.

I usually take a bite of the sandwich and drink the Iced Capp immediately to help soften things up.

Regular Turkey Bacon Club Artisan Sandwich from Tim Hortons

McDonald's Canada Brings Back the Beloved Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry for Easter 2023

After a savoury and satisfying dinner at Kokoro Ramen, I wanted ice cream, and we spotted a nearby McDonald's. They currently offer a limited-edition Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry for Easter.

McFlurry is a popular dessert item sold at McDonald's. It is a soft-serve ice cream that is blended with various candy or cookie mix-ins and this version has Cadbury Creme Egg.

Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry from McDonald's
Soft dairy ice cream, swirled with Cadbury milk chocolate pieces and a Cadbury Creme Egg® fondant sauce.

It was different and much better than the seasonal Candy Cane Fudge McFlurry. However, I still prefer the classic Oreo McFlurry.

A spoonful of Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry.

We enjoyed our ice cream while walking along Victoria Avenue. We walked almost a kilometre from 41st Avenue going north and reached 36th Avenue. It was a cold, cloudy night and not the best weather for ice cream, but taking an evening stroll with my husband was always satisfying.

Spicy Tan Tan Ramen and Crispy Chicken Karaage from Kokoro Ramen

Happy Wednesday! We finally filed our taxes for 2022. After our appointment, my husband, brother, and I went to Kokoro Ramen (just like last year) for dinner. I think this will become an annual tradition of eating at Kokoro Ramen after filing our taxes.

My go-to ramen is Tan Tan whenever it's available. However, most ramen shops don't offer it, so I usually go for spicy miso ramen. Today, I have found my favourite (best?) Tan Tan Ramen in Vancouver at Kokoro. It's spicy without pain, and the noodles are perfectly cooked while adding the creamy egg balances everything out. It has a soothing heat.

Spicy Tan Tan Ramen
Our Spicy Tan Tan ramen is another popular item on the menu. Many ramen lovers know Tan Tan ramen, which usually has a similar flavour profile to sesame paste in all ramen restaurants. However, we focus on enhancing umami from multiple ingredients and broth richness instead of traditional sesame paste flavour.

My husband ordered the Kokuton Ramen, a perfect bowl of comforting ramen with flavourful broth.

Kokuton Ramen
This is deep and rich. We use several different parts of pork bone to make this broth, and it takes more than 10 hours worth of cooking time required. We finish with our roast garlic black oil made in-house.

For sharing, we ordered two Crispy Chicken Karaage, one with Original Soy Vinaigrette and another with Teriyaki Mayo. My husband loved the Original Soy, while I like the creaminess of the mayo with teriyaki sauce.

Chicken Karaage with Signature Soy Vinaigrette (The umami and sourness if the perfect combination with Karaage) and Teriyaki Mayo (This unbeatable combo! Enjoy our homemade Teriyaki sauce and Japanese mayo)

This is a perfect meal on a chilly, cloudy, cold day. Plus, it was my brother's birthday yesterday, so catching up with him over ramen was nice.

For future me, below is a list of items you have tried so far including the ones you enjoyed today:

Izakaya Baby Ikageso Chicken Karaage with Signature Soy Vinaigrette Chicken Karaage with Signature Teriyaki Mayo Takoyaki

Ramen Hearty Vegetarian Miso Ramen Kokuton Ramen Spicy Tan Tan Ramen Spicy Veggie Tantan Ramen

Wagyu Bacon Cheese Japadog at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

We're home! If it's your first time at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and you're looking for a place to eat BEFORE security, I recommend Pajo's Famous for Fish & Chips. They're a local food chain based in Richmond, BC. I also highly recommend you try Japadog, which has a store in the food court area near the Domestic Terminal. Anthony Bourdain had their food in one of their trucks in Downtown Vancouver, so if you're in YVR, Japadog is worth the visit.

Japadog at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

We tried for the first time the Wagyu Bacon Cheese Japadog for early dinner before heading home. It reminds me of a bacon cheeseburger but on top of a delicious Wagyu beef hotdog and between soft buns. I love it!

Wagyu Bacon Cheese
Wagyu beef, melted cheese, bacon, and Japanese mayo.

Wagyu Terimayo from Japadog
Wagyu beef, fried onions, teriyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, seaweed

We also ordered the Wagyu Terimayo and Japanade. I love the Japadog Lemonade. The tartness of the lemon is such a good palate cleanser from the savoury oily hotdog sandwich.

Japanade
Japadog Lemonade

Below is a list of all the Japadog variants we tried so far in alphabetical order:

Avocado Ebi Tempura Goma Miso Turkey Hot Dog Karaage (Hot Dog) Kurobuta Love Meat Kurobuta Okonomi

Kurobuta Oroshi Kurobuta Terimayo Spicy Cheese Terimayo Wagyu Terimayo Yakisoba

About Japadog:

Japadog is a food stand that originated in Vancouver, Canada and is known for serving hot dogs with unique Japanese-inspired toppings.

Catch of the Day: Why Lucky Louie Fish Shack is a Must-Try at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

When I booked our flight for this vacation, I knew we would have a layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). I was searching for one-must try food stall or food item inside the airport and couldn't find anything quite useful.

If you're like me and have a layover at SEA, don't miss out on trying Lucky Louie Fish Shack. Located in the central terminal, this seafood spot serves up some of the airport's freshest and most delicious fish.

During our two hours layover, we started with Pallino pizza. Then, I was craving fries and was looking for McDonald's, but it was temporarily closed, so we ended up at Lucky Louie Fish Shack.

3 Piece Fish & Chips Pub-Style Wild Alaska Salmon served with crinkle fries and Rock the Boat Tartar from Lucky Louie Fish Shack

I was apprehensive of their fish & chips because we have a handful of great joints in Vancouver, so my expectations could be unfairly high. Plus, when we visited in 2016, all the fish & chips we tried in Seattle could be better.

This is why I am pleasantly surprised that the Salmon Fish & Chips from Lucky Louie Fish Shack inside SEA lived up to my expectations. The fish & chips offer the flavours of the Pacific Northwest. The fish is perfectly cooked, with crispy, light and tender, flaky flesh. Their Rock the Boar Tartar sauce is so delicious. It has a creamy, tangy, slightly sweet flavour that compliments fried fish and fries.

3 Piece Fish & Chips Pub-Style Wild Alaska Salmon served with crinkle fries and Rock the Boat Tartar from Lucky Louie Fish Shack

My sweet-tooth husband asked that we get the Sweet Waffle Fish (I guess that's more descriptive than calling it tiny Taiyaki). It was soft and perfect on its own.

Sweet Waffle Fish from Lucky Louie Fish Shack
Creamy cheesecake filled with salted caramel dip

Boarding for our flight is about to start. Can't wait to come home!

Pallino | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

We're almost back home! But, before that, I will give you a detailed account of how the day went before the pizza in Pallino at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

I woke up at 4:00 AM to take a quick shower and finish packing. Then, at around 5:30 AM, my Auntie (I don't put names of people in my blog) toasted pandesal and prepared hot chocolate and coffee for a quick breakfast. Then, at precisely 6:00 AM, we left their beautiful home in Murrieta, CA.

We arrived at Ontario International Airport (ONT) minutes before 7:00 AM. I was slightly worried because I didn't do a web check-in. Thankfully, the Alaska Airlines counter person was accommodating and pleasant. After checking in, we hugged Auntie and Uncle before proceeding to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and security checks.

We walked around ONT to see food options, but I was still full from breakfast. However, our flight felt delayed, so I got a Ham & Cheese Sandwich from the Hudson store and gobbled half. My husband decided to eat his half on the plane.

As soon as I fastened my seatbelt, I fell asleep. It's a skill. I slept most of the flight from ONT to SEA. However, I woke up when we took off because the turbulence was quite bad. According to the weather forecast, strong winds were expected in Southern California that day, so I did expect some shaking but not as much as we experienced.

We arrived in Seattle shortly after 12:00 NN. We exited at Gate N and had to take a minute train ride to the Central Terminal because our departing flight was at Gate C. We walked around to check the food scene. They have a good size food court in the Central Terminal. There are a lot of stores focusing on locally-produced products like coffee and chocolates.

We can't decide on what to get and go for pizza. I wanted pasta too, but it seems like a lot.

Pallino Pizza

Pallino Veggie
Eggplant, zucchini, red & yellow bell peppers, and roasted tomatoes

We ordered the namesake Pallino Veggie pizza. It's Neopolitan-style pizza, and they have an oven behind the counter. There was quite a wait. The bottom of the pizza was soft, while the crust was crispy. It's a good, relatively healthy pizza choice with all the vegetables on top.

A slice of Pallino Veggie inside Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

I also ordered Ivar's Clam Chowder. Ivar's is an institution in Seattle, so if you didn't have a chance to visit the city but want to have a taste of Ivar's, this is the best. I actually love Ivar's Clam Chowder over their fish and chips.

Ivar's Clam Chowder
Northwest-style white clam chowder with bacon, 8 oz serving

I am craving fries, so we'll walk around and see where I can get some near our gate.

What to avoid and try at Hibachi Grill Buffet in West Covina?

We had late lunch (early dinner) in Hibachi Grill Buffet at 1003 S Glendora Ave, West Covina, California.

I took photos of each plate and will tell you which one to avoid based on the pictures. Unfortunately, they don't label any food, so it's hard to know which item is what.

Plate number 1. Avoid any sushi. They could be better.
I recommend the chicken wings and cheese wonton. The spring rolls are alright.

Plate number 2. Almost everything on this plate is delicious. I'll happily come back to eat everything again except for what looks like saucy pork. It tasted unusual.

Plate number 3. I liked their fried rice so much I came back and had it again. I didn't like what looked like a clambake. It was warm but didn't have any taste to it. The salmon was delicious and a must-try. The clams and grilled chicken was alright.

Plate number 4. The fried fish was crispy, but the sauce was bland. Meanwhile, the spare ribs looked so good but had no flavour. The other pasta-looking seafood was acceptable. The best things on this plate are grilled chicken and sesame seed balls.

Plate number 5. The best thing on this plate is the fried banana and maybe the breaded shrimp. The pastries are alright. The macaroon is decent too, but a bit too sweet.

Plate number 6. You can try the soft-serve ice cream if you're still hungry.

Overall, Hibachi Grill Buffet is a decent spot for a reasonably priced buffet.