Chen's Shanghai Kitchen (Bai Yu Lan)

Out of all the different regional Chinese cuisine, my favorite had to be the Shanghai cuisine. They're super fattening and unhealthy, due to all the oil that was used, but super delicious at the same time. To me, they're absolutely irresistible. It's not difficult to find a restaurant serving Shanghai cuisine in Vancouver, but it's a different story when trying to find a good one. Luckily, there's the Chen's Shanghai Kitchen, a.k.a. Bai Yu Lan, in Richmond.

The variety of Shanghai style Dim Sum is better during lunch hours, but most of them can also be ordered during dinner time, which is wonderful, as most restaurant won't do any Dim Sum items outside of lunch time. The problem is though, if you don't read Chinese, ordering can be a bit challenging. During lunch time, they give you a Dim Sum checklist that doesn't have English on it. Now I'm sure that they have something in English, but it's usually shorter than the Chinese list. So finding a Chinese-literate to go with you for the first couple of times just to get familiar with the menu is recommended.

Some of their best Dim Sum dishes include the Xiao Long Bao, Shengjian Bao (Pan Fried Buns), Pot Stickers, and Meat and Vegetable Wonton. And in my opinion, they also have the best Green Onion Pancake in town. Those who are familiar with the dish will know that it is usually very oily, and some quite soggy, but Chen's Shanghai Kitchen's version of it is not oily at all, and much tastier than those in other restaurants. Unless you dislike green onions,this is something you must try at this restaurant. Unfortunately, their Xiao Long Bao is not the best in town, but they are a close second (the best Xiao Long Bao is actually in the food court of Aberdeen Centre). The pricing for Dim Sum items are also very reasonable, averaging to about $5 or so per dish.

Dinner-wise, I suggest having Dim Sum and a couple of noodle items like Dan Dan Noodles, Shanghai Chow Mien, or Shanghai Nian Gao (Rice Cake). Unfortunately, the other dishes aren't very impressive, so you're better off ordering the same thing anytime you go. Do keep in mind though, that although the food is excellent in this restaurant, the service and cleanliness is not the best. So now that I've got you mentally prepared, please don't come back to complain about these 2 things. You're going for the food and only the food. Nothing else here.

A word of warning, don't order too much. Remember that most of the good items are either buns or made with a lot of flour, so it's all very filling. Ordering too much will either have you extremely stuffed, having to waste food, or having to bring a lot of left overs home. Oh, and remember when you're eating the Xiao Long Bao and Sheng Jian Bao to remember not to take a big first bites. They are very hot, and super juicy that you might have juice squirting all over resulting in a stain on your shirt, and very bad table manners.

Chen's Shanghai Kitchen 8095 Park Rd. Richmond, B.C. Tel: 604.304.8288

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Cafe D'Lite

As much as I do not appreciate the hot hot heat in Malaysia and Singapore when I travel there, I've always appreciated their food. Unfortunately, imo, there's no "one-stop-restaurant" in Vancouver where you can get all the best Malaysian and Singaporean food in one restaurant. Fortunately though, there are different restaurants that does a wonderful job in different dishes. And Cafe D'Lite happens to make some very delicious Hainanese Chicken Rice and Singaporean Laksa.

Their Hainanese Chicken Rice is not only the best in the city, but also the best even when compared to many other cities around the world (yes, even in some Asian towns/cities). All their Hainanese Chicken are de-boned, which is very smart, because it make much less mess at a service point of view. If you order the Hainanese Chicken Rice dish, about $9, it comes also with the rice, which is yellowish in color and super flavorful. If you'd like more food, you also have the choice of ordering half a chicken or a full chicken, and however many bowls of rice you'd like.

Their Singaporean Laksa is also excellent. Made with a curry-based soup, it is full of fish balls, fish sticks, tofu puffs, shrimps and, of course, vermicelli. For some reason though, the Laksa almost always taste better when eating in the restaurant than when bought as a takeout item. So I would suggest that if you're going to order Laksa, eat it there. There is no difference for the Hainanese Chicken Rice, however.

My only problem with Cafe D'Lite is their opening hours. It is opened Monday to Thursday at 11AM to 8PM and on Friday to Saturday from 11AM to 9PM. So if you'd like to have dinner there on the weekdays, you'd have to go early. There has been quite a couple of times when we were turned away because we got their after there last order time, which is about 15 to 30 minutes prior to closing. Other than that, it is definitely a great restaurant to go to.

Cafe D'Lite 3144 W. Broadway Vancouver,B.C. Tel: 604.733.8882

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Tenhachi at Shaughnessy Village Hotel

One thing that's good about working the graveyard shift is that you get the opportunity to eat breakfast even if you're not a morning person. So one day, an hour before I finished my graveyard shift, I began craving for a traditional Japanese breakfast. I Googled it and finally found Tenhachi, located in the Shaughnessy Village Hotel. Seeing that it's only $7.50 for a breakfast combo, I decided to go straight after work. And man, was it awesome.

I've never thought that there's Japanese breakfast in Vancouver, but I guess we have pretty much everything here in Van City. Tenhachi features Japanese Home-Style Cooking, but where it's located can certainly throw you off the first time you go. Shaughnessy Village Hotel is a dumpy little hotel that looks like they should have been renovated 30-40 years ago. With mirror pillars and an old style receptions desk, I was certainly very confused when I first went in. It was also quite difficult to find a parking spot, as the area is mostly residential, most street parking requires a permit, but there are 3 parking spots hidden behind the hotel with a Tenhachi sign there.

There are 5 different Japanese breakfast combos offered, Salted Salmon, Natto (Japanese Fermented Soy Beans), Grated Daikon with Whitebait, Grated Yam, and Cold Tofu. All are served with rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, and various side dishes, which, I believe, is slightly different every time or during different times of the year. For those who are more conservative eaters or are just not used to traditional Japanese food, other than say sushi and tempura, the safest bet would be to start off with the Salted Salmon combo. Otherwise, the Cold Tofu combo would also be a good choice. The other two, however, are definitely more for the experienced or adventurous eaters.

Breakfast is served everyday from 7 AM - 12 PM, so if you think a full on Japanese breakfast is too big for you in the morning, you can consider trying it for an early lunch or something. The combo is quite filling, and considering it's price, it's just one of the best things. I'll definitely be going back for more. I'll be trying the Cold Tofu combo next.

Tenhachi 1125 W. 12th St. at Shaughnessy Village Hotel Vancouver, B.C. Tel: 604.742.0234

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Moby Dick's

When I first moved to Vancouver as a kid, I lived in White Rock. I used to hate it so much, since everything that's fun are far away from where I live, and I couldn't yet drive because I was too young. But there are also good things there though, like the Moby Dick's fish and chips restaurant by the White Rock Beach. They serve fresh lingcod with a homemade extra fluffy light batter. It's really one of the best fish and chips I've ever had.

Their portions are quite generous, and no matter if you're ordering 1 piece, 2 pieces, 3 pieces or 4 pieces, there're always an extra piece served on each plate. Their batter is also so light that you'll only need a fork to cut the fish. I really like their homemade tartar sauce. It's an extra cost, but it's definitely well worth the price. I think they sell it in packets too, for take-out. For appetizer, their calm chowder is excellent, although a little on the thick side. So I'd suggest ordering only a cup of it for $3.20.

The pricing is not exactly cheap, but for the quality of food, it's quite worth it. One piece fish and chips costs $9.40 and four pieces is at $19.20. I would actually cut the chips though, because the hand-cut fries aren't really that good, and it's much less to get it without the fish. One piece of fish only is at $5.90 and four pieces is at $13.30. If you're throwing a party, you can also order a barrel of fish to go.

On a busy afternoon, you'll have to wait in line for a table, but people are usually very considerate and doesn't dwell too long. But if it's summer and the weather is nice, you might as well buy from the take-out window and sit by the beach. But whatever you choose to do, Moby Dick's, alone, is definitely worth the trip to White Rock.

Moby Dick's 15479 Marine Dr. White Rock, B.C. Tel: 604.536.2424

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Kintaro Ramen

If you like good ramen with homemade noodles, tasty soup base and fatty Japanese BBQ pork, Kintaro Ramen on Denman Street in West End, Downtown Vancouver is definitely restaurant you should not miss.

All their ramen noodles are of a decent size, and are around $7-10 per a bowl. The main choices on the menu would be the kind of soup base desired. There are Shoyu, Shio and Miso Ramen. All their soups are made of pork bone stock and are all delicious, but my personal favorite is the Miso Ramen. After you chose the soup base type, you'd need to choose whether you would like a rich, medium, or light soup. I suggest doing medium for first-timers, as the rich soup, although very good, is very heavy. You'll also have to choose whether you would like lean or fat BBQ Pork. And this entirely depends on your preference. Personally, I like to order the fat BBQ Pork and just take the fat out when eating. It's just that the meat is tastier that way.

In addition to the 3 main ramen bowls, Kintaro Ramen also sells other types of ramen. I was told Cheese Ramen is excellent, and I am a sucker for the Cold Ramen that is available only in the summer months. The latter has a vinegary sauce to it, and does not come in soup form. But it's definitely a great option when it's available. In fact, during the summer months, I only order the Cold Ramen, because I know I can always order the soup ramen bowls in the winter.

Now Kintaro Ramen is almost always full of people, and if you go on a weekend, it's guaranteed that you will have to wait for a seat. They're just a very small restaurant, and they do not take reservations. But people are generally very good about it, and will leave as soon as they finish. On the occasion that they don't, just glare at them until they feel uncomfortable, and they'll get the heck out of there.

If you can't eat pork for any reason, there is no point of going to this restaurant as almost everything has pork in it. Even the Vegetarian Ramen isn't completely vegetarian, because the soup base is still made with pork bones. Your only bet is probably Cold Ramen, and make sure to tell them to not put the pork in.

So Kintaro Ramen is definitely a great place to go if you want to grab some good ramen at a reasonable price. But just make sure you bring some cash with you, because they only accept cash or debit.

Kintaro Ramen 788 Denman St. Vancouver, B.C. Tel: 604.682.7568

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