What8ver Café: Bubble Tea in Mason Jars and GIANT Toasts

This was one of the most healthiest dinners I have ever had... But it was so good that I got take out osmanthus tea. My friend and I ordered milk pudding, matcha cream float, preserved sour plum bubble tea, and a GIANT PIECE OF CARB(s??) DOUSED WITH MORE CARBS. In other words, a loaf of bread with strawberry ice cream, maple syrup, chocolate straws, a strawberry macaron, butter cream, strawberries, and raspberries. Hell yes, it was good.


Before I talk about the grand finale, let's not forget the supporting actors; the milk pudding tasted like whipped cream and light cheese with the consistency of...I guess gelatinous mousse? Whatever, it was lightly sweetened and pleasing. My cream for was also really good. They have lightly-sweetened cream sitting on the top that can be stirred in with the drink itself. It was also lightly sweetened and had the consistency of thick foam.

Since my friend's plum tea didn't come in a mason jar (!!), I shamelessly took a photo of the leftovers of my neighbors :) how cool is that; mason jars with bubble tea. Can you not.

AND NOW THE MOMENT THAT (I) HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR: the Strawberry Macaron Loaf. Holy. #$%&. This massive babe probably gave me a food baby, but what8ver (see what I did there). The best part is that it doesn't even taste like a heart attack because it's not that heavy. Also, the inside is nicely cut into little sticks that can be dipped in maple syrup or the ice cream. There was so much strawberry flavor, but not to the point where it was sickening. You can probably tell that I thoroughly enjoyed it. (≧▽≦)

 

What8ver Café: 1108-8328 Capstan Way, Richmond BC V6X 4B6

GyuDonYa: Japanese Rice Bowls

My uncle and his family always went here during my Saturday rehearsals. As my late lunch, they'd get the vegetable or seared salmon rice bowl for me <3 The great thing about this place is that it's efficient, edible (trust me, there is some really sketchy Japanese food...) and cheap. Fast, cheap, and tasty -- nothing more I can ask for.

 

GyuDonYa: 500 Robson St, Vancouver BC V6B 2B7

Suga: Japanese Korean Restaurant

First off, the owner didn't let me sit near my friends when I saw them D:< not cool. But at least the food wasn't too bad. I feel like it's very convenient to have two cultures of food as your meal options. That day, I was craving kimchi and tempura 🍤 how nice. I ordered the vegetarian bento 🍱, ddukkbokki (spicy Korean rice cakes) and my friend ordered bi bim bap.

Suga: 201-5728 University, Vancouver BC V6T 1K6

Vancouver's Hot Chocolate Festival: Pandan Hot Chocolate at Gem Chocolates

If you live in Vancouver/Burnaby, love Starbucks, and love chocolate, try taking a break from Starbs (I still love you) to try some limited time hot chocolate flavors. I will reiterate - LIMITED TIME. Take a break from your stressful midterms/jobs to try all of these exotic flavors and ideas before time runs out. Why? Because it's worth it.


My friend and I stopped by Gem Chocolates. Even though they could only serve one of the three flavors on the flyer, I was not disappointed in the least. We both got Pandan White Hot Chocolate, which was tinted green, served with a piece of uniquely crafted milk chocolate. There was Pandan, mango, chili and coconut; a rainbow-filled range of textures and flavors in a quarter-sized sweet. This cultural craft complemented the soft sweetness of the creamy Pandan hot chocolate. I probably gained two pounds just from this visit...I'll have to work it off for the next hot chocolate adventure.

 Gem Chocolates: 2029 41st Ave W, Vancouver BC V6M 1Y7

Hungry Nomad: Grilled Cheese and Soup

I really love the idea of food trucks, so when I heard about UBC's Hungry Nomad truck, I had to find out where it was. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the quality of food...the grilled cheese sandwich was the only vegetarian option, and the tomato soup they served was more like marinara sauce. Now, I love marinara, but an entire bowl of marinara was tiresome for me to

eat (even after I dipped my sandwich in it). The grilled cheese sandwich was too oily for my taste but...I mean it's a grilled sandwich, so I should've expected that. Not the best, but not the worst.

Marutama Ramen and Bonne Crepe

Yesterday's meal and dessert was very "Japanese". After realizing our first choice for dinner was closed, a friend and I ventured out to Marutama Ramen, which was tucked around the corner near Robson Street. Because the place was small, the wait was a bit long but that gave me some time to observe the aesthetics. The place looked like it was designed to maximize its space; customers were pushed in tight spots near the windows and the box-like chairs fit under the table to reduce space. Unfortunately for me, I could only order the vegetable ramen, but they offer a simple variety of other choices (even though most are quite similar to each other).

Dried garlic chips,sesame seeds, and chili flecks

Daikon

Vegetable Ramen

Marutama Original Ramen

Afterwards, we headed to Bonne Crepe for dessert. My friend ordered the pudding parfait, and I ordered pudding crepe (flan and whipped cream). Starving and impatient citizens beware; it took about 15 minutes before my crepe arrived because there were only two people working. I would suggest ordering the parfaits because they include a larger assortment of desserts (ice cream, wafer, fruit, whipped cream, etc.) and the wait isn't as long. The options for the crepes were a bit generic, but...not like I'm complaining, lol. I love crepes <3

Martutama Ramen: 780 Bidwell St, Vancouver BC V6G 2J6
Bonne Crepe: 1238 Robson St Vancouver BC V6E3Z6

Beard Papa's

My uncle introduced me to this place and I just fell in love. Overpriced? Perhaps, but I think it's worth it. What surprised me the most was that Beard Papa's was in Seattle :O All those years...and I never knew. The branch in Seattle has more options and they also provide beverages. However, the franchise in downtown Vancouver offers a good amount of options despite its small size. I like to order the seasonal flavors, like mango, pumpkin spice, strawberry...I'm pretty sure there are many flavors that I haven't discovered. They usually have chocolate, vanilla, and green tea available year round, but coming for the seasonal flavors makes each trip more exciting :D

Today, I just got two chocolates, two vanillas, and two green teas (not very aesthetically pleasing in the bag, but still yummy :P )

 

Beard Papa's: 548 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7

 

The Seattle branch is in Uwajimaya: 600 5th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104

Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle House

It's kind of ironic to go to a beef noodle house when I'm pescetarian...but despite the title, they do serve vegetarian alternatives by substituting the beef broth for clear or mushroom broth (I don't even like mushrooms, but the broth was still fine). Before I went pescetarian, I used to order the braised beef and tomato with flat noodles. The beef was very soft and not disgustingly chewy, and the tomato soup was light and flavorful. That night, I ordered two things: seasonal vegetables with mushroom broth and flat noodles, and green tea shaved ice with grass jelly. Although they also serve thin, clear, and vermicelli noodles, I personally love the flat noodles because they're hand-pulled and thick; it has a texture similar to thick pasta. The shaved ice is amazing; it's like light-flavored ice cream, but the texture is fluffy. It was like...eating a mouthful of green clouds...and grass jelly haha.

Champion braised beef with tomato soup (one of the top dishes)

Same as above

Beef brisket with five vegetables

Seasonal vegetables with mushroom broth



Braised beef tripe with noodles (comes with onions and garlic on the side)

Noodles topped with ground pork sauce

Preserved plum bubble tea

GREEN TEA SHAVED ICE ~~ <3

Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle House: 1560 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1H8
Also in Aberdeen Centre

True's Tea & Totoro Cafe: Another Double Adventure~~

I was originally planning to spend about 30 minutes at each café, but it took about an accumulative hour for the food and drinks to arrive...I ended up getting back home by 2am -__- not the best night, haha.

The interior of Totoro Café is really adorable and modern. I could tell that some furniture and items were from IKEA (the giant cups had IKEA labels), but the colorful paintings, pillows, and furniture gave the place a youthful atmosphere. I ordered a hot honey chrysanthemum tea and tomato and cheese Chinese crepe, and my friend ordered black sesame toast and a cold tea (forgot what flavor). They used real chrysanthemum tea but cheap honey, but I didn't dislike it. The Chinese-styled crepe wasn't too bad either; the cheese and tomato flavors were balanced, and it looked pretty simple to make. As for the toast, the worker had to go to the freezer to get the toast -__- not a big fan of frozen food, but it was okay.

 

After our long stay at Totoro, we took off to True's Tea. The service took forever, but I wasn't that disappointed. I ordered a cold winter melon red tea and fried tofu. I usually like my tea hot because I find it more fragrant and tasteful, but the waitress just didn't get my order right -__- oh well. I liked the fried tofu too - although it was too spicy for me (I love spicy food, my tolerance is meh), they somehow made the tofu quite juicy.

Totoro Café: 2140-8391 Alexandra Rd, Richmond BC V6X 3W5
True's Tea: 8400 Alexandra Road Unit 1 Richmond, BC V6X 1C3

 

Boba Adventures: Bubble World and Pearl Castle

Richmond = endless options of bubble tea.Yep.

Pearl Castle: 1128-3779 Sexsmith Rd, Richmond BC V6X 3Z9
Also at Richmond Centre

Bubble World: 1136-8328 Capstan Way, Richmond BC V6X 4B6

Matcha Chocolate Bubble Tea from Pearl Castle

Fried Kimchi Udon with Honey Bubble Tea from Bubble World

Seafood fried noodles from Pearl Castle

Leisure Tea & Coffee: Rose Tea, Crepes, Tofu Red Bean, Winter Melon Tea

I admit, I am a tea lover. The moment I walked into this café, I fell in love with the vintage interior and tea sets. Each teacup was unique, giving off a thrifty vibe. The menu was also pretty much endless - I probably spent a good 30 minutes trying to make sure my wallet wouldn't be empty by the end of the night. I ordered rose tea, blueberry banana crepes, tofu red bean and grass jelly dessert drink, and sweetened winter melon tea.

 

Leisure Tea & Coffee: 1110-8391 Alexandra Rd Richmond, BC V6X3W5