Lunch @ Nan Chuu Japanese Izakaya 南廚

haven't had ramen in richmond ever since G-men closed in their original location and finally it's time for ramen

only offer ramen and some snacks during lunch

different condiments

like how they prepared wet towels

tantan men

its pretty much a japanese version of shanghainese dan dan noodles (擔擔麵)

tonkotsu soup is definitely rich as mention in the photo above but its more like a thick broth than soup

spoon provided has holes so basically its more like a sauce

somewhat spicy, strong sesame and peanut taste

wasn't really something we were looking forward too

shio ramen

soup is really light with hints of salt

not too much meat given

noodles are chewy and al dente
like the lemon zest, adds a unique taste

egg was excellently done, yolk not over-cooked

Nan Chuu Japanese Izakaya 南廚

1160-8391 Alexandra Rd

Richmond, BC V6X

(604) 276-8391

Closed on Wednesdays

-really friendly servers, asks if you want water or tea once you settle down
-atmosphere is great
-best ramen in richmond
-prefer the menu at previous location
-they have alcohol license but doesn't match ramen unless you order other food in dinner menu
-half of the store are booth and tables, as well as a bar
-even on a sunday afternoon, only 35% full
-a $9 meal is probably too much for most people nowadays but having one once in a while doesn't hurt
-only 4 choices of ramen under $10

-used to be a hard place to find parking even for lunch but its not as packed now
-will visit again when i crave for ramen

Style: japanese (日式), ramen (拉麵)

Visited on: Mar 25, 2012

"Ding" Tai Fung - Downtown Vancouver

was strolling around downtown when something caught my attention. The sign saying "Ding" Tai Fung opening soon. At first i was excited then took my phone out for the picture. Then somehow I had a feeling that it was fake. Then i posted the picture on facebook and then my friend told me its fake. The authentic Din Tai Fung does not have a "g" in Din. And when i look at this picture more closely instead of the other one I posted on my facebook, there's the words Shang Hai. The real company is from Taiwan and not from China. Disappointment. Another friend was commenting that theres so many other shang hai food places around and why Ding Tai Fun. Although its a brand name, I still like it somehow, personal preference. Their quality is consistent no matter what location you are at.

Ding Tai Fung - 鼎泰豐

On Richards and Hastings

 although its fake, definitely not a good location

Dinner @ Top Chiu Chow Cuisine 潮州世家

all the dishes came in 10 minutes after ordering

free snacks
the salty vegetables were not too salty nor sweet, just right

fried prawn balls + fried crab balls 蝦棗 + 蟹棗

both half orders
not too oily, well made

pig stomach pepper soup with salted vegetables 胡椒豬肚湯

not too peppery, just right
perfect for the cold weather

marinated duck 滷水鴨
served with tofu
marinated sauce is strong
meat is tender

preserved olive leaves long beans 欖菜四季豆

the minced meat was too salty

not too oily

fried sliced chicken with pepper 川椒雞

pieces were somewhat too big compared to traditional
right taste but could be served with more leaves

pan-fried egg noodles served with sugar and vinegar 糖醋麵

a burnt one came at first but we refused it since we saw a better one at another table
tastes very similar to traditional, best one eaten in vancouver
only one side is crunchy but its still great

sugar-coated taro 反沙芋

sugar sticks well onto taro

not much sugar+onions used compared to others

however some pieces were soggy

潮州世家 海鮮菜館

Top Chiu Chow Cuisine

1211-8338 Capstan Way (In Union Square)

Richmond BC V6X 4B5

604 278 5698

called in to reserve a table and glad i did as all the tables were full

-third visit, first dinner. enjoyed all the meals here
-was glad the food came fast but felt kind of rushed to eat as all the good food were in front
-all the food was definitely hot since they served them fast hoping you to leave fast
-most of the food is not oily, good work by the chefs
-inexpensive dinner
-service was pretty good
-became one of my new favourite restaurants

Style: chiu chow (潮州菜), seafood (海鮮)

Visited on: Mar 11, 2012

Note: I translated all the chinese myself

KitKat Sakura Maccha Latte

whenever winter comes, most japanese confectionery companies make winter specials. if you don't try now, you probably won't be able again. japanese kitkat tends to create specials without chocolate, some flavours are awesome but some just don't match the crunchiness

limited edition

6 packs in the box

strong matcha scent rushes out once opened

matcha taste is strong and well blended into milky tastes of latte

a flavour that shouldn't be discontinued

a must try

all the other previous limited editions 

cafe latte

red bean, caramel macchiato mcflurry, muscat of alexandra, strawberry

coke and lemon

wasn't that great

cheese

one of the weird flavours out there

didn't like it much

cookies & cream

CLOSED - Lunch @ Bubble Waffle Cafe 雞蛋仔餐廳

UPDATE - Reopened at Aberdeen Centre: 

Lunch @ Bubble Waffle Cafe (Aberdeen Centre)

ever since the Aberdeen bubble egg waffle place closed down, only Parker Place has decent quality ones left in richmond. heard few good comments about this place so have been wanting to try.

bubble egg waffle 雞蛋仔

free with every $15 order, previously needed a coupon

definitely can taste that its made from electric machine

crispy outside and tender inside

thumbs up!

mixed noodle combo

tastes the same as other noodle places

beef teppanyaki with rice

comes sizzling hot with sauce already poured

beef slices are tender

korean sauce a bit salty

rice turns crispy at the bottom

curry combo with fish balls, white radish, pig skin

somewhat spicy, strong curry taste

fish balls could be better

part of menu

-will definitely go back for more

the good

-it's totally like going back to hong kong and having the variety of food you find on streets

-free bubble egg waffle that not cheaply made

-average pricing, however some items seem overpriced

the not so good

-hot milk tea took forever to come, kept giving to other tables that ordered later

-only 2 servers, though the place was small, was still not enough

-they have tables but no one to clean

-really tight spaces, not good for big groups

-one of the hardest place to find parking, best to avoid high traffic hours

Bubble Waffle Cafe 雞蛋仔餐廳 

138-8131 Westminster Hwy (Same mall as Alleluia Cafe)

Richmond BC V6X 1A7 

(778) 297-1268

Style: noodles (百搭麵), street food (街邊小食)

Visited on: Feb 25, 2012