Philadelphia Roll from Sushivan

It's Ash Wednesday. After the 7:00 pm Mass, my husband and I stopped by Sushivan for dinner. We both ordered our favorite Salmon Teriyaki & Sashimi Box, and to share, we got the Philadelphia Roll.

Salmon Teriyaki & Sashimi Box from Sushivan
Salmon teriyaki, appy Sashimi, appy tempura, salad, 4 pieces California Roll, and rice

The standout ingredient in the Philadelphia Roll is the cream cheese. It pairs extremely well with the smoked salmon and cucumber. It's the perfect bite with the sushi rice.

Philadelphia Roll from Sushivan
Cream cheese, cucumber, Avo, crab meat, and smoked salmon on top

For future reference, below is a list of menu items I’ve tried at Sushivan.

Appetizer

• Chicken Karage
• Ika Karage
• Soy Garlic Chicken Karage
• Spicy Chicken Karage
• Takoyaki

Bento Box

• Teriyaki Box (Chicken or Beef)
• Sushi and Sashimi Box
• Teriyaki and Sashimi Box (Chicken or Beef)
• Salmon Teriyaki & Sashimi Box

Donburi

• Unagi Don

Special Roll

• Alaska Roll
• Awesome Roll
• Alien Roll
• Spider Roll
• Love Love Roll
• Rainbow Roll
• Caterpillar Roll
• Dragon Roll
• Philadelphia Roll

Tempura

• Seafood Tempura

Udon / Meal

• Chicken Katsu
• Kimchi Fried Rice
• Korean Style Ramen
• Cream Crab Udon

Planetary Taco Bowl from Beast Unleashed inside BC Place

Happy Thursday! Hubby and I watched the Vancouver Whitecaps match against Deportivo Saprissa with the primary goal of documenting the BC Place menu (link here). For dinner, we ordered the Planetary Taco Bowl from Beast Unleashed, and I got my favorite Short Rib Poutine from The Poutinerie.

Planetary Taco Bowl from Beast Unleashed in BC Place

The Planetary Taco Bowl is not your typical stadium food – it includes rice and black beans as a base, topped with fresh lettuce, pico de gallo, and corn. Of course, for added texture, there's fried tortilla.

Short Rib Poutine from The Poutinerie 

I thought about trying a new dish but was hesitant, so I went back to my favorite BC Place food item: Short Rib Poutine. It's not as delicious as I remembered, which is unfortunate, but still worth every calorie.

I'm hoping we can watch another Whitecaps game this week, but we'll see.

JINYA Chicken Ramen from JINYA Ramen Bar

Happy Thursday! For the company-paid team lunch, the chosen theme was salad for the team in our Melbourne office because they're still enjoying summer weather, and soup for the teams in Cork and Vancouver. We decided to visit our go-to, JINYA Ramen Bar. I chose the lower-calorie JINYA Chicken Ramen and swapped the noodles for their low-carb version.

JINYA Chicken Ramen from JINYA Ramen Bar
Chicken broth: chicken chashu, spinach, green onion, and fried onion

It’s my first time trying a non-spicy ramen bowl—ever. The chicken broth was comforting and creamy. Meanwhile, the low-carb noodles had a slippery texture and weren’t as chewy as regular ramen noodles. I’ll stick to the normal noodles.

For future me, below is a list of ramen you have tried:

• JINYA Chicken Ramen
• JINYA Tonkotsu Black
• JINYA Tonkotsu Original 2010*
• Karaage Chicken Ramen
• Premium Tonkotsu Red
• The Red Garnet Ramen
• Spicy Chicken Ramen
• Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen
• Spicy Umami Miso Ramen

Avocado Impossible™ Burger in a lettuce wrap from White Spot

Happy Thursday! For our company-paid team lunch today, we went to the Canadian chain White Spot for burgers. I went for their Avocado Impossible™ Burger and decided to swap the buns for a lettuce wrap. It's official: when available, I’m always going to swap the buns for fresh, crunchy, and light lettuce.

Avocado Impossible™ Burger from White Spot
Chargrilled Impossible™ Burger made-from-plants with fresh avocado, pickled onions, lettuce & tomato. Jalapeño ranch.

The Impossible™ patty was surprisingly delicious, with none of the aftertaste that Beyond Meat tends to have. Moreover, the abundance of lettuce, tomatoes, pickled onions, and creamy avocado made the burger seem healthier. This is an excellent choice for vegans and vegetarians looking to grab a delicious burger without meat.

Kouign-amann and double baked almond croissant from Angus T

I love croissants, and I’ve tried the "best" ones in Vancouver. So far, my favourite is the one we had today from Angus T. I got their double-baked almond, while my husband went for the more difficult-to-pronounce kouign-amann—our first time seeing it on a menu!

The double-baked almond was perfectly flaky and soft, but the real winner is the balance of the sweet filling and the nuttiness provided by the almond topping. I love it! It’s the best one I’ve had.

Double baked almond croissant from Angus T

The kouign-amann is also buttery and flaky. I’m unsure how it’s supposed to taste, so it’s hard for me to judge just how delicious it is.

Kouign-amann croissant from Angus T

I can’t wait to come back and try their other flavours!

12oz Prime Striploin and Vegan Garden Burger from Earls Yaletown

We are celebrating my hubby's birthday with lunch at Earls in their Yaletown location.

Hubby chose the 12oz Prime Striploin, which came with seasoned vegetables and mashed potatoes. The steak was fattier and so juicy—I loved it! I’m grateful that hubby willingly gave me more than a couple of bites.

12oz Prime Striploin from Earls

Meanwhile, I opted for the Vegan Garden Burger with fries. It was better than expected — still not as good as their original vegetarian burger, but a step up from the Beyond Meat version.

Garden Burger from Earls Yaletown
100% plant-based patty, tomato, red onion, leaf lettuce, pickle, mayonnaise, mustard, toasted brioche bun

Lunch dates are so much fun!

For future me, below is a list of menu items you have tried from Earls so far.

Brunch

• Crab Cake Benedict

Handheld

• Beyond Burger
• Garden Burger
• Roast Beef Sandwich
• Vegetarian Burger

Mains

• Half BBQ Ribs
• Oven Roasted Salmon

Noodles + Bowls

• Garlic Prawn Spaghetti
• Truffle Tortellini
• Truffled Parmesan Chicken

Shareable

• Warm Spinach + Three Cheese Dip
• Yuzu Calamari

Soup

• Clam Chowder

Steaks

• Canadian Prime Sirloin (9oz)
• Filet Mignon
• Filet + Peppercorn
• 12oz Prime Striploin (12oz)

Desserts

• Key Lime Pie
• Molten Gingerbread Cake
• Sticky Toffee Pudding Bowl

Valentine's Coffee Date at Fable Café in Granville Street

I took annual leave today and decided to get a haircut at my favorite salon, Suki, in South Granville. Afterwards, hubby and I grabbed breakfast and hung out at Fable Café.

Food and drinks from Fable Café

I had a hot chocolate paired with garlic knots, while hubby had a cup of mocha with roulé oignon fromage. The food and drink were decent, but I wish they had offered to reheat the pastries we got. The real winner was the ambiance, from the soft music to the perfect lighting.

Chirashi Don from Sushi Bros

For dinner tonight, we decided to stop by Sushi Bros along Robson before heading to Costco for groceries. I ordered the chirashi don.

It was my first time trying chirashi don! The sushi rice was magnificent, and each piece of raw fish was surprisingly fresh. However, I still feel there's too much rice.

Chirashi Don from Sushi Bros

We also ordered their takoyaki, but it’s not something I would recommend.

Takoyaki from Sushi Bros

Overall, it’s a decent spot, and there's usually a line during lunchtime. I may try chirashi don from other places to compare, but this was a good first try.

Hanauma Bowl from Pokerrito

Happy Thursday! For team lunch today, the chosen theme is poke, so we walked to the nearby Pokerrito.

Hanauma Bowl from Pokerrito
Salmon, seaweed salad, crab meat, edamame, ginger, masago, tamago, furikake, creamy mayo, cucumbers, sweet onions, green onions, and romaine lettuce

I enjoy raw fish like sashimi but am not a fan of poke, and this is the first time I’ve enjoyed a poke bowl —so much so that I’m already looking forward to coming back. I got the Hanauma Bowl.

Hanauma Bowl from Pokerrito
Salmon, seaweed salad, crab meat, edamame, ginger, masago, tamago, furikake, creamy mayo, cucumbers, sweet onions, green onions, and romaine lettuce

It came with fresh salmon and all the amazing ingredients that go with it. The biggest change I made was opting for romaine lettuce as the base instead of rice or another carb as base. It was refreshing, like a seafood salad bowl.

The Red Garnet Ramen from JINYA Ramen Bar

Happy Sunday! It snowed overnight, and Vancouver is absolutely gorgeous. ♥️ For lunch, we decided to warm up by finally visiting the JINYA Ramen that opened at the corner of West Broadway and Granville.

The Red Garnet Ramen from JINYAA
Vegetable broth: pork chashu, spinach, green onion, kikurage, white onion with chili garlic sauce. Served with thick noodles

The Red Garnet from JINYA

I ordered the Chef's Special for the month: Red Garnet Ramen and Curry Rice Croquettes, while hubby chose the JINYA Tonkotsu Original 2010 and Crispy Fried Chicken.

The Red Garnet Ramen was too salty for my liking, which is unfortunate.

Curry Rice Croquettes from JINYA Ramen Bar
Seasoned curry Rice balls with ground chicken stuffed with white cheddar cheese, then lightly fried to crispy perfection

Curry Rice Croquettes from JINYA Ramen Bar

The Curry Rice Croquettes were perfectly crunchy on the outside, with a creamy curry rice and melted cheese filling. Delicious!

JINYA Tonkotsu Original 2010* from JINYA Ramen Bar
Pork broth: pork chashu, green onion, spinach, seasoned egg, nori dried seawood. Served with extra thick noodles

Of course, I can never say no to fried chicken, which was perfect with juicy, tender meat and a crunchy exterior.

Mochi Ice Cream - Green Tea from JINYA Ramen Bar

Mochi Ice Cream - Green Tea from JINYA Ramen Bar

It’s the perfect meal for this snowy Sunday.

For future me, below is a list of ramen you have tried:

• JINYA Tonkotsu Black
• JINYA Tonkotsu Original 2010*
• Karaage Chicken Ramen
• Premium Tonkotsu Red
• The Red Garnet Ramen
• Spicy Chicken Ramen
• Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen
• Spicy Umami Miso Ramen

Salted Pecan Maple Donut and London Fog Donut from Breka Bakery & Café

After our Lunar New Year dinner at Happy Noodle House, we decided to take a walk to Breka Bakery & Café for something sweet. The bakery’s display cases is filled with an array of goodies making it difficult to decide. My husband opted for the Salted Pecan Maple Donut, while I went with the London Fog Donut.

Salted Pecan Maple Donut from Breka Bakery & Café 
Maple flavoured glaze with salted roast pecans on top

London Fog Donut from Breka Bakery & Café
Earl grey infused milky vanilla glaze with a pinch of Earl grey on top

As we took our first bites, we quickly realized that both donuts were much sweeter than we liked. While I do enjoy sweets, I prefer them to have a more balanced sweetness rather than an overpowering sugar rush. In hindsight, I should have played it safe and gone with a classic glazed donut. That said, for those with a true sweet tooth, both of these donuts would be a delight.

What stood out the most, however, was the dough itself. Both donuts had an incredibly soft, airy texture that made each bite light despite the overly sweet frosting.

Lunar New Year dinner at Happy Noodle House

Happy Lunar New Year! LNY is a great excuse to enjoy Chinese food, and we have been celebrating the occasion by having dinner at one of the many Chinese restaurants in Vancouver. This year, we walked to Happy Noodle House along Davie Street. We have tried their food in 2022 when we had it delivered (see post here).

This evening, we ordered their Xiao-Long Bao, Hot Chili Wonton, Chive Pockets, and House Special Chow Mein. It's a feast!

The first to arrive at our table is the Xiao-Long Bao, and it's truly top-notch. Nibbling the delicate wrapper gives way to a burst of savory, rich broth and tender meat.

Xiao Long Bao from Happy Noodle House

Then, we received a plate full of their House Special Chow Mein. The sauce covering the thick, chewy hand-pulled noodles provides a deep flavor. It's so comforting and satisfying.

House Special Chow Mein from Happy Noodle House

Afterwards, the Chive Pockets and Hot Chili Wonton came. It's our first time trying both dishes ever. The Chive Pockets have a crispy exterior filled with tender, onion-y flavor.

Chive Pockets from Happy Noodle House

Meanwhile, the Hot Chili Wonton is filled with savory pork served in a spicy chili oil sauce, providing a deep, spicy flavor. It's not the best thing I've had today, and since it's my first time trying this dish, I'm unsure how it compares with others.

Hot Chili Wontons from Happy Noodle House

Overall, we'll probably be back at Happy Noodle House since it's on the way from work.

Below is a list of dishes we have tried from Happy Noodle House:

• House Special Chow Mein
• Tan Tan Noodles
• Beef Rolls
• Chive Pockets
• Hot Chili Wontons
• Pan-Fried Pork Buns
• Xiao Long Bao

Fancy Sourdough Browned Butter and Black Sesame Cheesecake from The GOOD Chocolatier | 2025 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

Happy Sunday! After Mass today, there was a pancake brunch in the parish hall. I enjoyed the food for lunch and volunteered until 2:00 PM.

#089 Black Sesame Cheesecake from The GOOD Chocolatier

Afterwards, my husband, Ted, and I grabbed hot chocolates at The Good Chocolatier since they are part of the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival.

#088 - Fancy Sourdough Browned Butter from The GOOD Chocolatier

My husband and I got drink #088 - Fancy Sourdough Browned Butter and #089 - Black Sesame Cheesecake. Neither drink is overly sweet. I prefer the sesame because of its distinct flavor, while no particular flavor profile stood out from the sourdough browned butter.

Fried Chicken Over Rice from bb.q Chicken

For our company-paid team lunch today, the theme was Korean, and I convinced my colleagues that we should walk to bb.q Chicken on Granville Street.

I'm so happy with the dish I chose! I ordered their Fried Chicken Over Rice with the Mala Hot flavor. The fried chicken had a perfectly crispy exterior and juicy interior. It had a good amount of heat, which the rice and scrambled eggs helped to balance. 

Fried Chicken Ove Rice from bb.q Chickcen
Fried chicken, scrambled egg, and onion with mala hot sauce and mayo on steamed rice

It was the perfect lunch bowl, especially at only $12.00 during lunchtime!

Orange Creamsicle and Hazelnut Praline Hot Chocolate from Artigiano | 2025 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

Happy Wednesday! We left work early (4:00 PM) today because the WiFi was being turned off for rerouting, so my husband and I decided to get our first hot chocolates of the Metro Vancouver 15th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival at Artigiano near BC Place.

They offer two flavors: Hazelnut Praline Hot Chocolate and Orange Creamsicle Hot Chocolate.

Artigiano participates in the 2025 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

The Hazelnut Praline Hot Chocolate is a rich blend of dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts, creating a deep, nutty base. It's then topped with vanilla cream, chocolate shavings, and a praline crumble, adding layers of texture and sweetness. This indulgent drink is paired with a warm, freshly made beignet filled with chocolate hazelnut cream, making it a truly decadent treat.

Drink #009 Hazelnut Praline Hot Chocolate from Artigiano
Dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts, topped with silky vanilla cream, decadent chocolate shavings, and a crunchy Praline crumble. It is paired with a warm, freshly made beignet filled with luxurious chocolate hazelnut cream.

The Orange Creamsicle Hot Chocolate offers a brighter profile, with rich orange-infused hot chocolate forming the base. It's finished with a Creamsicle Chantilly, reminiscent of the classic frozen treat, and a touch of freeze-dried orange peel for a zesty, citrusy finish. This vibrant hot chocolate is paired with a crisp chocolate orange wafer providing a satisfyingly complementary bite.

Drink #010 Orange Creamsicle Hot Chocolate from Artigiano
Rich orange-infused hot chocolate, finished with a dreamy Creamsicle Chantilly, and a touch of freeze-dried orange peel for a zesty finish. It is perfectly paired with a crisp chocolate orange wafer, featuring a signature Artigiano chocolate stamp.

I prefer the Orange Creamsicle, as it has a nicer depth of flavor than the more common hazelnut. Although, I enjoyed the chopped hazelnuts on the rim of the Hazelnut Praline cup, as they provided a crunchy element to the drink.

Tiramisu and Ube Cream Puffs from Pablo Japanese Bakery Cafe

Happy Sunday! After Mass, my parents (specifically, my dad) requested that we hang out at a coffee shop. We originally planned on going to Lumiere, but it looked full, so we ended up at Pablo.

Pablo is known for their Japanese cheese tarts. We tried two new flavors today: juicy mango and crème brûlée.

Pablo Japanese Bakery Cafe

The foundation of their excellent tarts is the crust. It isn't flaky like a Portuguese tart but is more solid yet crumbly, providing a satisfying textural contrast to the filling. The juicy mango tart offers generous slices of ripe, sweet mango, creating a burst of tropical flavor with each bite. The crème brûlée tart is topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust that shatters with a delicate crack, revealing a smooth, rich custard beneath. The burnt sugar adds a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of the custard. I prefer the latter.

Creme Brulee and Juicy Mango Cheese Tarts from Pablo

Pablo also introduced new cream puffs, and we managed to try a couple of flavors: tiramisu and ube. Both are delicious and not overly sweet, achieving a perfect balance of flavor. The tiramisu cream puff features a light and airy choux pastry shell filled with a creamy, coffee-infused filling, dusted with cocoa powder for a hint of bitterness. The ube cream puff has a vibrant purple filling made from ube (purple yam), which has a subtly sweet and earthy flavor, contrasting beautifully with the delicate pastry.

Tiramisu and Ube Cream Puffs from Pablo

It was great to spend time with my parents and husband over delicious sweets.

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For future reference, below is a list of cheese tarts flavour we have tried from Pablo.

• Blueberry
• Chocolate
• Creme Brulee
• Juicy Mango
• Matcha
• Original Cheese Tart
• Roasted Chocolate Almond Marshmallow
• Ube

Retro Donut: Lemon Cake Donut from Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons is bringing back for a limited time two retro donuts: the Blueberry Fritter and the Lemon Cake Donut.

Lemon Cake Donut from Tim Hortons

Lemon Cake Donut from Tim Hortons

I tried the Blueberry Fritter when it first returned, so today I decided to try the Lemon Cake Donut. It features a soft and fluffy cake donut covered in sweet and citrusy glaze. I love it!

Pad Thai from Thai Away Home at Club Kitchen

For our company-paid team lunch today, we walked to Club Kitchen to enjoy Thai cuisine from Thai Away Home. I usually go for their green curry, but today I had a craving for noodles that was definitely satisfied by the delicious pad thai.

Pad Thai from Thai Away Home at Club Kitchen

The soft, slippery noodles were coated in a complex, umami-rich sauce with tender chicken and tofu, topped with crunchy peanuts and bean sprouts. It was the perfect bowl.

White Chocolate Pistachio arrives at Tim Hortons

Our Sunday mornings usually involve a trip to Tim Hortons for a quick and easy breakfast. This week, we were excited to see they had launched a new line of White Chocolate Pistachio beverages, promising a unique twist on winter comfort. Naturally, we had to try a couple! We grabbed a White Chocolate Pistachio Latte and a White Chocolate Pistachio Hot Chocolate to see if they lived up to the hype.

The Latte was a visually appealing drink. The foam was nicely frothed, and the Belgian white chocolate curls on top added a touch of elegance. The first sip was a burst of sweetness, unfortunately with no pistachio flavour.

The Hot Chocolate was a different experience altogether. It has the same visual appeal of the latte and the aroma was primarily of sweet hot chocolate. The taste was very sweet, a bit too sweet for our liking. The pistachio flavour was not noticeable, almost completely overpowered by the chocolate. It was served at a good temperature, but the sweetness made it a bit difficult to drink a whole cup.

White Chocolate Pistachio Hot Chocolate from Tim Hortons

Have you tried the new White Chocolate Pistachio drinks at Tim Hortons? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

Eggplant Parmigiana from Olive Garden

Happy Friday! I took a vacation day from work today for a dental appointment. My youngest sister asked if I wanted to join them at Olive Garden in Langley, BC, on Sunday. I called her and asked if we could go today since I was off.

Off we went! We started by sharing the Stuffed Ziti Frittata, a crispy, golden-brown disc of pasta filled with a rich, creamy blend of cheeses and meat sauce. The crispy edges gave way to a soft, cheesy interior, making it a perfect appetizer for sharing.

Stuffed Ziti Fritta from Olive Garden
Crispy fried ziti filled with five cheeses. Served with Alfredo and marinara dipping sauce

Then, we moved on to their bottomless bowls of soup and those addictive breadsticks. The soup, a creamy chicken gnocchi, was rich and comforting, dotted with tender potato dumplings and shreds of chicken. The breadsticks, warm and buttery, were perfect for soaking up every last drop. 

My husband ordered the creamy and cheesy Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. The blend of five cheeses—ricotta, Parmesan, Romano, mozzarella, and fontina—created a rich, decadent sauce that coated the perfectly cooked ziti pasta. The baked, bubbly top added a delightful textural contrast. It was perfect for my gums, which were still tender from my appointment.

Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno from Olive Garden
A baked blend of Italian cheeses and Olive Garden's signature five Cheese marinara

I opted for the "healthier" eggplant parmigiana. The spaghetti was a classic—al dente, with a bright, tangy tomato sauce that had just a hint of sweetness. The eggplant parmigiana itself was a delightful combination of textures: crisp, golden-brown breading on the tender eggplant slices, layered with melted mozzarella and that same vibrant tomato sauce. It was a satisfying, lighter version of the more traditional chicken parmigiana.

Eggplant Parmigiana from Olive Garden
Hand-breaded eggplant, lightly fried and topped with marinara and melted mozzarella, served with a side of spaghetti

For dessert, we indulged in warm Italian doughnuts, known as zeppoli. These pillowy soft fritters were dusted with powdered sugar and served with dipping sauces. The chocolate sauce was deep and intensely sweet, a classic pairing. However, I was surprised by how much I preferred the raspberry sauce. Its bright, tart notes cut through the richness of the doughnuts, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tangy—I loved it. I told my sister I now have a more mature palate, preferring the raspberry over the chocolate.

Warm Italian Doughnuts from Olive Garden
Fried doughnuts tossed in vanilla sugar, served with raspberry and chocolate sauce

Below is a list of dishes we tried at Olive Garden:

Appetizers

• Calamari
• Lasagna Fritta
• Meatballs Parmigiana
• Mozzarella Sticks
• Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Stuffed Ziti Fritta

Classic Entrees

• Cheese Raviolli
• Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
• Chicken Marsala Fettucine
• Chicken Parmigiana
• Fettuccine Alfredo (part of 6 oz. Sirloin)
• Italian Feast 
• Lasagna Classico
• Ravioli Carbonara 
• Shrimp Scampi
• Spaghetti with Marinara (part of Eggplant Parmigiana)
• 6 oz. Sirloin
• Tour of Italy

Desserts

• Black Tie Mousse Cake
• Cannoli
• Chocolate Caramel Lasagna
• Tiramisu
• Warm Italian Doughnuts