Birthday Dinner at Royal Seoul House Restaurant

Happy birthday, Pa! It's our dad's birthday and to celebrate we had Korean BBQ. We originally wanted Japanese BBQ from Gyu-Kaku, but we're seven people (me and my hubby, my parents, and three siblings), and they couldn't accommodate our big group. As such, we end up in Royal Seoul House Restaurant, which is the closest Korean restaurant to our place.

We ordered our usual - Combo B (beef, pork, and chicken), Deep Fried Pork Dumplings, Seafood Pancake, and Japchae. Moreover, my brother and I are feeling adventurous, so we ordered two new dishes that we don't usually order: Ttok-Bokki (it's my first time trying it) and Deopbap.

Deopbap
Rice topped with assorted veggies in a hot stone bowl with pork.

I am not a fan of their Deopbap, but to be fair, I am eating other dishes with a stronger flavour, so I couldn't appreciate it as much.

Ttok-Bokki
Stir-fried rice cake, veggies, and fish cake with a spicy sauce

Ttok-Bokki is something you will frequently see when watching Korean dramas, but this is my first time trying it. I love the spicy sauce, and I regret eating it first before the Deopbap because the flavour is so strong and delicious. I am unsure if I like rice cake though, it's chewy.

Deep-Fried Pork Dumplings

Korean dumplings are my favourite - like the top of the list in a world filled with dumplings. They're bigger than Japanese gyoza and Chinese dumplings and flavourful.

Combo B means marinated beef short ribs, marinated beef, marinated chicken, and spicy pork.

As hubby and I are walking home, I told him that my hair smell likes BBQ. I love it. 😂 I hope my dad enjoyed our simple birthday dinner. It's so nice to have everyone here.

Lunch from Kulinarya Filipino Eatery

Happy Tuesday! I am too lazy to cook or even grab groceries yesterday. So today, we ordered a lot of food from Kulinarya Filipino Eatery for the whole week. The only downside of our neighbourhood is that there are no Filipino restaurants or a food source nearby. As such, I have to use DoorDash to get my favourite Filipino dishes delivered.

Feast from Kulinarya Filipino Eatery

If you know us by now, we have a consistent list of Filipino dishes we almost always order: Kare-Kare, Filipino-style pork BBQ, and lumpiang shanghai (Filipino spring rolls). Unfortunately, Kulinarya doesn't have pork BBQ.

The food arrived on time and was well packaged. For lunch, we ate a portion of the Beef Kare-Kare and Laing. Next, we finished the Spring Rolls and Turon. Finally, I placed the Canton Bihon Mix and Chicken Adobo on the fridge.

Beef Kare-Kare
Beef and vegetables in a thick savoury peanut-based sauce

I am so happy that Kulinarya can now deliver to our address. It means I can order Kare-Kare anytime I crave for some. It's a good Kare-Kare, and since the Facebook vendors where I used to get delicious Kare-Kare is no longer available, this has become the best Kare-Kare in Vancouver.

Laing
Dried taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, shrimp paste, and smoked fish.

I don't order Laing from restaurants because it's something I can cook at home. However, when I order it, it ends up being so good that I feel terrible for not cooking this well. It's spicy and perfect with rice.

Lumpiang Shanghai (Spring Rolls)

I have a pretty high standard for spring rolls, and the best one with a physical location is still from Little Ongpin in Richmond. From the taste of their lumpiang shanghai, it's obvious that it was frozen the night before because it has that weird after taste. Thankfully, it's fried to perfection and did travel well.

Turon
Caramelized fried plantain banana and purple taro jam spring rolls

I love turon in all shapes, forms, and sizes. But having turon so easily available is a luxury, so this discovery is making me happy. I guess you'll see more Kulinarya Filipino Eatery posts in the future.

Canton Bihon Mix
Stir-fry egg and rice noodles with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables

I will update this post once I have tried the Canton Bihon Mix.

Chicken Adobo
A twist on tradition. Chicken leg and thigh simmered in cane vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic. Then, deep-fried for an extra crunch.

Here's the thing. I didn't order adobo. I ordered Tamarind Chicken, but they don't have it available, and I was on the phone with a customer, so I couldn't answer their call to see what I want it replaced with. I would have said dinuguan, but by the time I was done on the phone, it's too late. It's all good, though, since the adobo did look good. I will update this post once I have tried it.

Overall, I will order from Kulinarya Filipino Eatery again.

Mango Cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee

I am obsessed with the seasonal cheesecake flavours of Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee.

• Matcha Cheesecake last June 6
• Taro Cheesecake last June 26
• Mango Cheesecake today

My favourite is still the Matcha Cheesecake, but the Mango Cheesecake has mango chunks in them. Although, the mango flavour is not that strong on the cheesecake itself.

Mango Cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee

Top-view of Mango Cheesecake slice

Mango Cheesecake with Matcha Latte and Chai Latte

Happy Sunday!

Lunch at Suika

I love Suika! I can't believe that I lasted two months without eating my favourite Signature Beef Curry. It's still so good and satisfying. We were the first customer today and were able to grab a table on their patio.

Today's Food Specials: Chef's Special

We ordered from their Today's Food Specials menu. Both items are delicious. I don't think I've had a bad item from Suika.

Beef Stamina Bowl
Grilled short rib slices with homemade yuzu-kalbi sauce, soft boiled egg, and kimchi on rice.

This is like a play on bibimbap. I have been craving kimchi, and this satisfied that! The short rib is tender, the vegetables provide the crunch, and the egg provides creaminess for the whole dish. The kimchi flavour balances everything out.

Wasamayo Brullop Fritter
Deep-fried brussels sprouts and scallops with seaweed batter and edamame wasabi mayo on the side.

The outside is crunchy. The brussels sprouts are piping hot once you bit into the center. Meanwhile, the scallops are perfectly cooked.

Our usual

Our usual orders from their menu are essentially two things: my favourite Signature Beef Curry and Crispy Chicken Karaage. Both are delicious, and I rave about these things. 

Signature Beef Curry with Tonkatsu (Pork Loin Cutlet)
Suika original stewed beef tendon curry

Crispy Chicken Karaage
Deep-fried chicken thigh served with shio (sea salt and pepper)

I should go back to eating at Suika at least once a month.

Baja's Food at Thank Granville It's Food trucks (TGIF)

The South Granville Business Improvement Association (SGBIA) organized Thank Granville It's Food Trucks (TGIF). Every Friday and Saturday from 11 in the morning until 8 in the evening from June through Labour Day, there will be a rotating lineup of food trucks located along West 10th Avenue at Fir Street in front of the Vancouver School Board building.

It's Saturday, and it's also Pokemon GO Fest 2021 Day 1. We spent the whole day (10 AM to 6 PM) hanging out at the VSB Park for Pokemon and food.

Baja's Food is a happy surprise today. They share a food truck with Rosie's BBQ and Smokehouse, but their food is so delicious. I daresay even better than Dos Amigos Tex-Mex (although an unfair comparison since we tried different dishes).

I ordered Tacos de Guisado - beef, pork, and chicken. I love the beef and chicken. However, I found the pork too salty, but it could be my low salt tolerance. 

Tacos de Guisado
Top: Pork and Green Tomatillo Sauce
Middle: Chicken Tinga
Bottom: Beef Tinga

Chimichanga
Fried burrito (taco beef, refried beans, mozzarella cheese, wrapped in 12" flour tortilla) tossed in a ranchero sauce, drizzled with avocado crema and sour cream.

I also ordered the Chimichanga Burrito, and it's my first time trying Chimichanga, and I am filled with regret on why I haven't ordered this in the past. It's so good! The tortilla is so crunchy, yet the inside is chewy and soaked with sauce. It's perfect.

I can't believe how happy Baja's Food made me. It's such a perfect ending to a beautiful day.

Tornado Potato Poutine at Thank Granville It's Food trucks (TGIF)

The South Granville Business Improvement Association (SGBIA) organized Thank Granville It's Food Trucks (TGIF). Every Friday and Saturday from 11 in the morning until 8 in the evening from June through Labour Day, there will be a rotating lineup of food trucks located along West 10th Avenue at Fir Street in front of the Vancouver School Board building.

It's Saturday, and it's also Pokemon GO Fest 2021 Day 1. We spent the whole day (10 AM to 6 PM) hanging out at the VSB Park for Pokemon and food.

At around 3:00 PM, I told hubby I'll order from Tornado Potato. I thought of getting the usual tornado potato, but the poutine caught my eye. It's something different!

Tornado Potato Poutine

The gravy is sweet, but it works well with the saltiness of the cheese curds. It's such a fun messy thing to eat and quite filling too.

Tornado Potato Poutine from Tornado Potato food truck

As much as I enjoy the gravy, I would have enjoyed it more if it was more savoury than sweet.

Rosie's BBQ and Smokehouse at Thank Granville It's Food trucks (TGIF)

The South Granville Business Improvement Association (SGBIA) organized Thank Granville It's Food Trucks (TGIF). Every Friday and Saturday from 11 in the morning until 8 in the evening from June through Labour Day, there will be a rotating lineup of food trucks located along West 10th Avenue at Fir Street in front of the Vancouver School Board building.

It's Saturday, and it's also Pokemon GO Fest 2021 Day 1. We spent the whole day (10 AM to 6 PM) hanging out at the VSB Park for Pokemon and food.

For lunch today, we ordered from Rosie's BBQ and Smokehouse. As I mentioned in my previous post about Yo-Bones BBQ. I haven't tried many Southern-style BBQ, so I can't say what is good or not, but I can tell you which ones I liked the best based on what I've tried in Vancouver so far.

Since I ordered chicken and brisket sliders from Yo-Bones BBQ, I ordered the same from Rosie's.

Decatur Chicken Sandwich

Decatur Chicken Sandwich
Smoked BBQ chicken topped with famous Decatur White BBQ sauce, "Funions," house bun, mayo, sauce

The Decatur Chicken Sandwich is delicious! I dare to say I like it better than the one from Yo-Bones, and I already enjoyed that one so much. The chicken is just so flavourful, and I love the toasted bun with burnt edges. It's so crispy.

Smoked Brisket Sandwich

Smoked Brisket Sandwich
Smoked & chopped brisket, sweet onions, pickled, and Rosie's BBQ sauce

Unfortunately, the Smoked Brisket Sandwich is the opposite of its chicken counterpart. I ate the chicken first while hubby tried the brisket, then we switched. I was raving about the chicken sandwich, but hubby kept asking why I didn't get the pulled pork. Apparently, he didn't enjoy the brisket. My hubby enjoys food, and for him to tell me that he didn't enjoy a specific item is saying something.

I tried it, and the brisket is juicy, but you can only taste the fattiness of the pork and no other flavour. Thankfully, the bun is still toasted wonderfully, but it's not enough to save the sandwich even then.

Mac 'n Cheese Salad

This dish confused some of the Caucasian customers. While waiting for my order, I can hear them ask the food truck owners what's a Mac 'n Cheese Salad? In the Philippines, we have our own dessert version of macaroni salad which includes lots of mayonnaise, sweetened fruits, and condensed milk. It's popular in the province during fiesta and a staple in some households during the Christmas season.

Mac 'n Cheese Salad
Cheddar cheese, Duke's mayo, parmesan, and crispy onion

Banana Pudding

I enjoyed the Banana Pudding, although I regret not trying the Moon Pie. The pudding is delicious, but there's a powerful vanilla flavour and the scent coming from it, which can be a bit off-putting.

Banana Pudding
Donia Farms milk, banana, and homemade vanilla cookie

The perfect bit includes a cookie and banana.

Drinks: #37 Sweet Tea and Classic Lemonade

We ordered both drinks because why not? 😋 Hubby has been to Texas, and he said that the Sweet Tea reminds him of the unsweetened tea he had there. I enjoyed the Classic Lemonade. It's sweet and tangy - the perfect palate cleanser.

What will I order again?

I'll have the Decatur Chicken Sandwich again. I am also looking to try the Loaded Tater Tots, and maybe next time we'll try the Potato Bun Pulled Pork Sandwich.

Rosie's BBQ and Smokehouse food truck menu

Shameless Buns at Thank Granville It's Food trucks (TGIF)

The South Granville Business Improvement Association (SGBIA) organized Thank Granville It's Food Trucks (TGIF). Every Friday and Saturday from 11 in the morning until 8 in the evening from June through Labour Day, there will be a rotating lineup of food trucks located along West 10th Avenue at Fir Street in front of the Vancouver School Board building.

Masayang Biyernes! Happy Friday!

Shameless Buns have a special place in our hearts. Hubby and I were born and raised in the Philippines, so a Filipino jeepney food truck specializing in flavours we are familiar with makes Shameless Buns special.

Filipino Spaghetti Lumpia

I saw the Spaghetti Lumpia in an Instagram video, and I couldn't believe/understand what I just saw. But, I knew I had to try it the next time I order from Shameless Buns.

Filipino-style spaghetti is sweet with ground meat, while lumpia is Filipino spring roll. Both are a staple in Filipino kids' birthday parties. However, I never thought of combining it this way! Instead, they serve a giant burrito-like spring roll with spaghetti inside. The spaghetti is delicious, and I'll be happy to eat it as is, but the lumpia wrap provides crunch. 

Spaghetti Lumpia
Crispy spring roll stuffed with Filipino spaghetti goodness, sriracha mayo, chipotle cheese sauce, and green onion.

Opening the Filipino Spaghetti Lumpia

Sir Spam A-Lot combo with Palabok Fries

The sandwich is, for me, a standard fair of spam sandwiches inside pandesal (Filipino brioche bun). It's something we occasionally eat for snacks after school. If you like spam, then this is worth the try.

I want to focus on the Palabok Fries. Their menu description says, "Think 'BBQ' Chips." It doesn't taste like barbeque. However, it does taste like palabok. Background: Palabok is a noodle dish in the Philippines. I am having a hard time describing its flavour. It's salty and a bit tangy, usually creamy from the sauce. Their Palabok Fries hit the flavour profile of a palabok, but you may not understand the flavour if you haven't had palabok in the past.

Sir Spam A-Lot (Crispy Fried Spam, atchara, banana ketchup, sexy egg, sriracha mayo, green onion, and fried garlic) with Palabok Fries (Think 'BBQ' Chips)

Overall, I will still recommend the Signature Sinigang Fries.