As chefs grow older, working far beyond usual retirement ages, how can restaurateurs find and prepare a new generation of chefs with the same skill sets?

Full article here:

https://vancouversun.com/feature/chinese-food-restaurants-next-generation-chefs

Hi everyone

I want to bring attention to this little hole in the wall restaurant on west 4th. They don't advertise and very few people know about them, but it's quickly become one of my fav spots in the city. The chef is local and tries to use as many local ingredients as possible. The food is top quality and very reasonably priced - a 3 course meal which tastes amazing is only $35.

Please please please go give this place a shot. They're usually not very busy which worries me because I want them to stick around. West 4th has already lost a lot of great places in the last 4-5 years, I don't want this place to be next.

Thanks all. Hope everyone made it through the storm okay these past few days.

Crispy, golden, rich, and warm are all words that come to mind when I think of tonkatsu. This lovingly breaded and fried pork loin is something that brings me comfort through its hearty nourishment and the reminder of precious time spent with friends. My thorough enjoyment of this delicacy often leads me to wanting more. I decided to turn this desire for more into a search for my ultimate tonkatsu. Here I have documented four tonkatsu from Japanese restaurants in metro Vancouver.

The Tonkatsu Set

In my mind, the accompanying components of a tonkatsu set are just as important as the tonkatsu itself. In my search so far, I have found six universal constants of the tonkatsu set: Perfectly cooked white rice, warm and complex miso soup, refreshingly light cabbage salad, beautifully aromatic sesame seeds, umami and tangy tonkatsu sauce, and of course, the tonkatsu. Certain aspects of each of these may differ in form and composition, but each of them remains an integral part of the tonkatsu set. With this important background information now stated, we can begin our discussion.

Katsu San – $22.50

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This Richmond restaurant is all about katsu. They have tonkatsu of course, but also chicken, cheese, tiger prawn, and even scallop katsu. Their tonkatsu is thicker than most which (assuming similar amount of pork) leads to it coming with fewer pieces, and a lower breading to pork ratio. The fewer pieces made me feel like it was gone too soon. That said, it was high quality pork that was full of flavour. This set comes with the six universal constants and additionally, wasabi, ginger and daikon tsukemono (pickles), and pink Himalayan salt. Everything, excluding the tonkatsu and its sauce, were unlimited. The salad had a lemony dressing that wasn’t quite to my taste. The salt and wasabi were both nice additions. Everything else was pretty standard.

Saku – $25.00

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咲く(saku) means ‘to bloom,’ likely referencing the plum blossom in their logo and サクサク (sakusaku) is the onomatopoeia representing the crispiness of fried food. This double meaning symbolizes their dedication to serving the crispiest katsu, and they deliver on that. Their tonkatsu is among the best I’ve had. The balance of meat to crispy is right on the mark, the pork is full of flavour and it’s perfectly juicy. The universal six are present, alongside lemon salt, delicious tsukemono, and robust Japanese mustard. The rice, miso soup, and salad are all unlimited. The soup contains white miso and pork which compliment each other perfectly. The mustard is a wonderful addition, definitely my favourite non-standard condiment with tonkatsu. The cabbage is shredded incredibly thin which when combined with the sesame dressing becomes the perfect refresher after a fried dish.

Raisu – $23.00

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Raisu is a member of a restaurant group that is scattered around the world, but most of their restaurants are in Vancouver. Each of these restaurants has their own theme, and Raisu feels very homey both in décor and menu. Their tonkatsu set doesn’t try anything new, but instead has refined every aspect to perfection. The soup and rice are unlimited. The only entirely unique component is the grated daikon that serves as a refreshing condiment, contrasting the sweet tanginess of the tonkatsu sauce. Another non-universal-six component is their nappa tsukemono, the tender leafy texture and balanced acidity working perfectly together. The tonkatsu is perfectly fried and the salad dressing is a delightful combination of soy and sesame. The miso soup contains red miso, which has more character to it than white miso. The carrots and other vegetables in the soup fit this flavour profile perfectly.

Suika – $23.80

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Suika is part of the same group as Raisu, and its theme is a snack bar. Despite this, their entrees are not to be taken lightly. The Double Tonkatsu SET DX is quite an undertaking to finish. It comes with unlimited rice and miso soup, although it’s unlikely you’ll have room for that. The big six are present, alongside my favourite tsukemono detailed here, a cucumber with what appears to be soy. The miso soup also contains red miso and carrots, but also arugula and daikon. It is marvelous. The ‘Double’ in “Double Tonkatsu SET DX” is no joke, you get two times as much tonkatsu as you would from any other of these restaurants for the same price. It is perfect. Crispy, golden, rich, and warm, it checks all of the required boxes. Even without the extra tonkatsu, it would still be my ultimate tonkatsu.

This was written for ENGL 111 at the University of British Columbia.

I’m looking for the BEST cheesy pastry in the city. I love a cheese croissant that’s encrusted in cheese, but I’m open minded! Thanks for all intel 🙏

Important, not congee but sweet corn soup. I've to 5 places and didn't find it. And misordered 3 times corn or else congee. Any suggestions?

I’m heading to Bellingham to see a friend, and he thinks we should hit B.C. for Indian or Chinese food. From the r/Seattle forum, I heard there is a town south or somewhere outside of Vancouver that’s the place to go for S. Asian food. For Chinese cuisine (Dim Sum, etc.), I heard anywhere is good. Overall, much better than in Seattle (even the Chinese folks I’ve met say Seattle sucks).

Suggestions?

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I post about local food spots, activities and events in Vancouver (and sometimes different travel destinations)
Feel free to check it out!

https://youtu.be/NzIpg8qTUrw

Is there any alternative to the mcdonald's mcrib in vancouver or surrey? I love the mcrib with extra onions pickles and light sauce and have been craving it

Visiting soon and wanted recs on the above that's in or near the following:

• chinatown
• gastown
• yaletown
• granville island (i wrote down to get candied salmon from longliner seafood)
• Lower Lonsdale
• queen elizabeth Park
• aberdeen centre in richmond
• stanley park, lighthouse park
• english bay beach, sunset beach, kits beach, vanier park
• Grouse mountain, Sea To Sky Gondola

TIA!

Visiting soon and wanted recs on the above that's in or near the following:

• chinatown
• gastown
• yaletown
• granville island (i wrote down to get candied salmon from longliner seafood)
• Lower Lonsdale
• queen elizabeth Park
• aberdeen centre in richmond
• stanley park, lighthouse park
• english bay beach, sunset beach, kits beach, vanier park
• Grouse mountain, Sea To Sky Gondola

TIA!

I'm visiting in a month and wondering about the above. I use Yelp mainly but not sure how popular it is here. TIA!

I'm visiting in a month and it seems to be a really popular food here. Wondering people's thoughts on it. Is it good or a tourist trap? Given that I don't really like hot dogs, I'm inclined to skip.

Hello, Myself and my husband will be visiting soon and would love some recommendations from the locals. We love all types of food so open to everything. I've never had dim sum and would love to try it. We are staying close to the Commercial - Broadway station, so anything close there would be lovely Planning to do a bike around Stanley Park and like to have a nice lunch spot to head to after. Don't want anything to fancy - ideally 20-30$ per person (if that's possible) Thanks for all the recommendations.

Looking for great food to celebrate an anniversary and a friend's "I Beat Cancer"celebration. We are from Ontario and Alberta, so appreciate your input!

We are looking for a place to celebrate an anniversary and a friend beating cancer. Like everyone else, we enjoy great food and ambiance! One couple is from Ontario and the other from Alberta, so hoping you can help us with current info. Many posts are older. Really appreciate your input

I feel like I haven’t found the perfect bread for eating toast.

I’ve tried random whole grain brands from costco.. sour dough from Cobs.. milk bread from T&T… brioche bread from Breka… they were all ok but nothing really made me want to buy more than once.

does anybody have recommendations for me to try next?

• preferably ones that freeze well too

• I would generally be putting butter and jam on it

Thank you!

If there's one shit coin I truly believe in, it's the r/ButterCat project and its team. Go check it out for yourself and don't miss out, it's always better to get on board as early as possible for maximum profits.

Spent many years in South Korea and looking for the best Korean Restaurant and specifically Dalkgalbi for a birthday Dinner. Any help or insight much appreciated.

Am I the only one completely baffled by the lack of Tex-Mex cuisine in Vancouver? I’ve searched high and low for a spot similar to Texas Lone Star Grill in Ontario or Chuy’s in the US but have had zero success. Where does one go for fajitas and margs in this town? I feel like if I see yet another sushi restaurant I’m going to throw a fit 🫠

Is there a bakery in the Lower Mainland that sells cardamom buns (not cinnamon buns)? I’ve searched high and low, but have not found a spot yet. Help!

I visited Taiwan last year and discovered fresh taro milk at a place called Milk Sha. It was absolutely incredible and I still dream about it. Apparently there was a Milk Sha in Vancouver but it didn’t survive covid. I’ve tried a couple other places in the city but their “fresh taro” is not at all the same and seems more like a processed paste than mashed fresh taro. If anyone is aware of somewhere I could find a Taiwanese style fresh taro milk in the GVA I’d be eternally grateful! 🙏

Would love some restaurant suggestions that can accommodate a group of 16 guys. Coming into town in July for a bachelor part. We all get in early so a brunch spot would be ideal. Any other suggestions are also welcome.

Google search has shown me there are a lot of places that make it but I'm searching for authentic Tunisian style shakshuka and not some high concept reinvention. Bonus points if they bring it out in a skillet.

I know people ask a lot where to eat, but I don’t see any super recent posts that fit what we want.

We are coming for a conference my speaking is speaking at and all I care about is fantastic food. I don’t care about ambiance or price or anything else, just tasty morsels in my face hole.

The conference is at The University of British Columbia and we are staying at the Sheraton Wall Centre. Would love suggestions anywhere near those spots.

I know this isn’t super helpful, but I love all kinds of food. My husband hates seafood so limited choices there please (although I will absolutely go without him for amazing sushi).

Bonus imaginary internet points for suggestions of things to do! The Vancouver subreddit seems to be a little outdated on touristy things.

Just dropping this in here. Spent a single night in Vancouver on a layover and really enjoyed this spot. Great service, such friendly staff,, amazing food, and creative dishes that I've never tried before. This thread doesn't seem so active compared to the Reddit Denver food thread so I thought to leave a post!

Hi, we are visiting Vancouver in a couple of months, just staying for a couple of days at the Sheraton Wall - any suggestions for places to eat nearby? Nothing fancy I’m after a great bar with some decent food and beer

Hello people, i was at costco a week ago and someone was loading their cart with over 10 packets of the Cavendish fries and the Hamptons buffalo strips. I made a comment saying oh wow are you running a restaurant? And the lady laughed and said yes actually its my stock day. So….. anyone know which restaurants serve ready made food like this? I know Chiko Chicken sells the Cavendish fries.