Happy Chinese New Year dinner at Lin Chinese Cuisine

We "celebrated" Chinese New Year by having dinner at Lin Chinese Cuisine. The restaurant was bustling tonight with lots of families sharing a meal and having a good time exchanging stories over delicious food.

Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Juicy Pork Dumpling)

Steamed Pork Buns

Pan-fried cake with marinated beef

Szechuan Chow Mein

Everything was delicious, but I'll probably get the Pan-Fried Pork Buns, instead of steamed. I'll also get the Shanghai-style Chow Mein.

Lunch at Marutama Gaiden

It was raining most of the day. Hubby and I spent a good two hours playing Pokemon Go, and I needed delicious ramen to warm up. I remember walking past this place that we haven't tried, which was Marutama Gaiden.

Hubby had the Shoyu Ramen, and it was delicious. I had the Miso Ramen. It was good, but I think the Shoyu Ramen is better. The MFC fried chicken was crispy, crunchy, and surprisingly light. Meanwhile, the gyoza is as expected.

The service was excellent and food was served quicker than I thought. Be sure to have a credit card or debit card ready, since they DON'T accept cash.

Shoyu Ramen

Miso Ramen

MFC - Marutama Fried Chicken

Pan-Fried Gyoza

Lowest calorie breakfast at Tim Hortons

I have resumed my calorie-counting diet, which means I'm always on the lookout for low-calorie items at restaurants.

What's the lowest calorie breakfast item at Tim Hortons?

The oatmeal (maple) is 220 calories regular size, while the hashbrown is 130 calories.

Dinner at Masa Restaurant

After doing a Costco grocery run with my parents and them dropping us off in our Vancouver apartment, we decided to treat them to early dinner at the closest Japanese restaurant at our place, Masa.

My dad had a Tonkotsu Ramen since it's cold outside. You should have seen the face of my mom eyeing the bowl of ramen. My mom had the Beef Teriyaki platter. I had my usual Assorted Katsu Curry while hubby had the Beef Curry. For sharing, we had one of their rolls.

Masa Aburi Cheese Monster Roll
Menu Description: Aburi Salmon, avocado, crab meat with cheddar & Mozza, tobiko

Assorted Katsy Curry
Menu Description: Japanese Curry with Tonkatsu, Ebi Fry 2pcs, Goroke 1pc, and rice.

Beef Curry
Menu Description: Japanese Curry with Beef & Rice

We loved the roll I picked. I can't wait to come back and try the other rolls.

IKEA Chinese New Year 2020 Combo Meal for lunch

With my parents, hubby and I went to Ikea in Richmond to try out their Chinese New Year 2020 Combo Meal.

This is the display for the Chinese New Year.

Lining up to get food.

Here's our table filled with the combo.

Dimsum Combo includes a BBQ Pork Bun, Sui Mai (pork dumpling), Vegetarian Spring Rolls, and Sticky Rice. It came with Daim Cake and Pear Cider.

Here's another photo with the sticky rice open.

Honestly, I would like more of the shumai and pork bun, instead of the cider and cake.

This is the Braised Beef Stew Combo. It also came with Daim Cake and Pear Cider.

The beef is not as tender as I'd like, and I kinda wish they placed it in a bowl with the rice sitting at the bottom and soaking up all those sauce.

Is it worth it?

Not really. I won't be coming back for it. I kinda wish I ordered the meatballs instead. My mom did get a red envelope since she's an Ikea family member. It contains a coupon for a free yogurt. I'm not sure what else they gave out, but if you know, please comment below!

Dinner at Express Pho

Today was a long day at work. I wanted to breakdown during lunch because the stress was unacceptable and has been unbearable. I told hubby that we should have a high-calorie stress eating session. You see, I started "dieting." I started calorie counting again, and I even started doing simple workouts at home. The exercise has been great (not for losing weight, but just to feel better about my body as a whole).

Anyway, this meal was satisfying after a week of not eating a meal from restaurants. On our walk to West Broadway, I was debating in my head whether to eat at Masa Restaurant (Katsu curry is always a comfort food) or Lin Chinese Restaurant (the thought of spicy Dan Dan Noodles is making me happy already). Still, then I realized we haven't been to Express Pho in quite a while, and they would have fried chicken, and I want fried chicken.

Here's what we had:

#9 Pho Chin, Bo Vien
Menu Description: Well-done beef, beef ball rice noodle in soup

I'm going to get this next time! Hubby was so happy with his bowl of pho.

#41 Com Bo Kho
Menu Description: Beef Stew with steamed rice

I have a confession to make. I love Vietnamese Beef Stew. From Vina Vietnamese (the food court Vietnamese stalls), I ALWAYS get the beef stew because it's so tender and delicious.

#1 Cha Gio
Vietnamese Spring Roll

F. Canh Ga Chien
Deep-fried chicken wings

The spring rolls and chicken wings just hit a different spot. I'm so happy!

Note: Express Pho only accepts cash or debit.