[dangonay]

I love dining out and love all types of food (especially Indian and Japanese). However there are so many restaurants in The Lower Mainland I find it tough to find those places that offer good food at good prices. And like many people, I've been burned often enough by sub-par food. When I find a place I like I go often, but where's the fun in that?

Everyone knows all the top-rated restaurants, but who can afford to eat their regularly? What I want to find are the smaller places that offer good food when you don't want to spend a fortune.

Not to sound racist or stereotypical, but if I want to find a good Indian restaurant I'm going to ask someone who's Indian as I would trust their opinion. So that's what this thread is for - to explain to us dumb white guys where all the good Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and other restaurants are.

[Djiban]

Sweet Chili Cafe - Vancouver's Most Authentic Indonesian Restaurant (http://www.sweetchilicafe.com) - indonesian

[xmisstrinh]

Nooru Mahal on Fraser

[unit]

with japanese food its pretty simple, if its owned by japanese people there is a very high likeliness it will be good. dont go to any place with chinese, vietnamese, or korean chefs (except maybe hanako in surrey)

[SoulCrusher]

This is what I posted in another thread. Im Indian and probably have a better idea of whats considered good and whats bad when it comes to Indian food.

Hands down the best Indian restaurant in Surrey is Tasty Indian Bistro. Compared to other Indian restaurants, its considered to be high end. Apparently it was designed by the same ppl that are designing Keg restaurants. The food is unbelievable.

Dhoom restaurant is also really good. Im having my wedding and reception catered by them.

Recommended:
Appetizers: tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, fish pakora, shehs kabobs, cheese pakoras

Meat entres: butter chicken, lamb curry, curry chicken
Veg entres: muttar paneer, shahi paneer, mixed veg

[blee123]

with japanese food its pretty simple, if its owned by japanese people there is a very high likeliness it will be good. dont go to any place with chinese, vietnamese, or korean chefs (except maybe hanako in surrey)

banzai sushi in richmond on westminister is runned by Vietnamese ppl :lawl: whats worse was that they were speaking viet out loud when making your food

think Samurai sushi is affiliated with them also

[FN-2199]

http://www.saffroncuisine.ca/ (Saffron Indian Cuisine)

Wonderful place to try different types of curry. They have been known to have some pretty damn good butter chicken. I believe their lunch special everyday is $13 for an all you can eat buffet, which isn't absurdly expensive for a pretty decent meal! At any other given time, the curry on its own is $15 a dish.

[Culverin]

+1 to sweet chili cafe.

Singaporean/Malaysian
Hawker's - get anything on the menu the soto with pressed rice is a favorite

Chinese BBQ
HK BBQ Master (underneath superstore on No.3)

Japanese
Kimura Sushi, the combos are a really good deal.

Viet Sub
Tung Hing Bakery, get the house special

"Dirty" Greasy Chinese Food
Kent's Kitchen in chinatown. It's a pick 2 things with rice kind of place.
But the food is legit, albeit a touch greasy.

Shanghai Dumplings
The place in the crystal mall food court, don't know what it's called.
Long's Noodle House, main street.



And yes, all of these places have english menus.
Hope that helps.


Would like your suggestions for French Bistros...
Les Faux Bourgeois just doesn't seem to have to old magic anymore.

[dinamix]

Chinese - Manchu wok

Jap-koya

Indian- curry express

Greek- opa

Vietnamese- pho hoa

[BlackZRoadster]

^ lol u jerk

[Supafly]

Chinese - Manchu wok

Jap-koya

Indian- curry express

Greek- opa

Vietnamese- pho hoa

:troll:

[BlackZRoadster]

i thought you were chinese dangonay

[originalhypa]

i thought you were chinese dangonay

Chinese Dangonay and Brown hypa know good ethnic food.
It's their anglo-saxon counterparts who need advice.

:alone:

[murd0c]

I went for African at Simbas a couple weeks ago and it was great food. The way to learn is get out there and if something looks good try it. It might be a hit or a miss but you won't know unless you go and the experience is everything you want.

The long penis looking thing is Lamb and it was some of the best tasting I have ever had, below is goat in a curry which is just as good and coconut prawns. The owner is super friendly and they even have beer imported from Africa. I went to the one on Denman and was very impressed. They have different homemade hot sauces and if you want an appie get wings they are killer.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6308/42185010150586352845741.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/42185010150586352845741.jpg/)

[LSF22]

^

I can vouch for Simbas as well... and if you can get your hands on an entertainment book, there's usually a coupon for them in there too!

The appy wings + the 2 spicy homemade sauce I had :sweetjesus:

[J.Bell]

Mahek and Diamond Sweets are both awesome, me and my brown boy buddy always go there. He says Mahek is like the Keg for brown people. Hahaha
Ki Sushi in new west is my favorite sushi place. Great food and good prices.

[murd0c]

For Dim Sum my favorite one around is the Golden Swan on Victoria drive. But what do I know I'm one of those dumb white guys :alone:

[LiquidTurbo]

I love dining out and love all types of food (especially Indian and Japanese). However there are so many restaurants in The Lower Mainland I find it tough to find those places that offer good food at good prices. And like many people, I've been burned often enough by sub-par food. When I find a place I like I go often, but where's the fun in that?

Everyone knows all the top-rated restaurants, but who can afford to eat their regularly? What I want to find are the smaller places that offer good food when you don't want to spend a fortune.

Not to sound racist or stereotypical, but if I want to find a good Indian restaurant I'm going to ask someone who's Indian as I would trust their opinion. So that's what this thread is for - to explain to us dumb white guys where all the good Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and other restaurants are.

So Mr. White guy, what do you recommend for white food?:hotbaby:

[miss_crayon]

Northern Chinese food: Ningtu in East Van (Kingsway) or Shanghai..Happy?? in Richmond. Shanghai Happy is the same owner as the Shanghai take out place at the Crystal Mall food court. They opened up not too long ago!

Japanese: Kimura, and for more izakayas: Guu, Gyoza King, Suika

HK Style Cafe: Gold Stone in Chinatown

HK BBQ: BBQ Master in Richmond, Kam Gok Yuen in Chinatown

Thai: Chada Thai in Poco (surprising!)

[xPhuong]

Vietnamese:
Song Huong (Nanaimo + 1st Avenue) Vancouver

Pho Thai Son (West Broadway + Main (Across from kingsgate mall)

[Meowjin]

Make asian friends. :)

I think ive almost eatten at every place and food court/resteraunt in richmond. The one thing I have yet to try is indian food, but honestly I feel so disconnected when I try to eat at an east indian place.

I like golden stone, the food blows but I like the borlabao and coffee. Plus its cheap and it reminds me of the 80's.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/198464_10150142906284333_510689332_6231368_4499398 _n.jpg

nommers.

[Ri2]

+1 for Mahek, love that place.

Indian: All Indian Sweets on Main and 49th has a veg. buffet ($10)
Don't mind Baba Sweets either for lunch or something!

Dim Sum: South Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Richmond

Filipino: Pinpin on Fraser street, Cucina Manila, Kumare in Richmond. Josephine's on Main is alright if you're a first timer. There's a new place on Kingsway called Max's Restaurant, first one in Vancouver and all the Filipinos are crazy excited about it. Tried going on Thursday but the wait was over an hour!!
.. If you have Filipino friends, just eat at their houses!! My family always tries to feed my friends and get them drunk after, hahaha.

Filipino desserts/baked goods: Goldilocks/Aling Mary's (for Pandesal/Filipino buns)

Chinese: Ho Do, Hon's or Mr. Ho on Kingsway

Noodles/Ramen/Soup: Golden Pair Fusion Cafe on West Broadway (Peanut chilli soup, FTW!)

[Gnomes]

I always see recommendations for restaurants but not a lot of people mention specifically what dish to order. I need some help with that.

[Bonka]

For Persian..

Cazba Restaurant in North Van

Very simple, meat and rice dishes. I personally like the bakhtiari, which is one joojeh (chicken) and one barg (beef kabob, basmati rice, grilled tomato. The pureed pomegranate and walnuts with chicken (fesenjoon) is really good as well as I didn't think I'd like it.

Afghan Horsemen - Granville Is.
Go with one of the platters - can consist of lamb, beef, chicken kabob, hummus, salad, pita, lamb shoulder, batter fried potato, yogurt, cabbage rolls, baked eggplant

[donjalapeno]

^ cazba was good but its gone downhill imo.....service is absolute garbage, i swear i get better service at mcdonalds in east van and food was awesome when it first opened but then they got cocky and it all went down the drain. I went a endless amount of times but the last 3 times i went was the exact same garbage service and food i pledge never to go back. The people at the tables around us seemed frustrated too. When we sat down the table next to us asked for the bill, the server didnt bring them the bill until half are food was done lol the guy kept asking every server that walked by. The only good thing about cazba is the prices but even then its not worth the wait.

My personal favorite for persian right now is Kandoo in POCO, cheap prices and food is pretty bomb and not bad looking servers last time i checked.

Greek definetly stephos no doubt THE BEST, especially the Kalamaria.

[dinamix]

you should try AYCE hot pot

cattle pot/claypot

Everytime i bring a white friend they end up loving it. Make sure you bring a asian friend to do the ordering cuz it can get confusing. Dont order pork "bung" btw...lol

[Meowjin]

Greek definetly stephos no doubt THE BEST, especially the Kalamaria.


I'm greek.

Stephos is disgusting and an insult to greek food.

infact there are no good greek places in vancouver except for maybe kisamos.

[dinamix]

stephos ..lololol

[supafamous]

For Indian I highly recommend Ashiana on Kingsway by Knight. Family run place that's authentic and friendly. Food is delicious! I've tried a lot of other Indian places and no one beats the quality for the money.

[Bonka]

For Indian I highly recommend Ashiana on Kingsway by Knight. Family run place that's authentic and friendly. Food is delicious! I've tried a lot of other Indian places and no one beats the quality for the money.

I think so too. Their butter chicken is more tomato-ey than creamy, which I tend to encounter at Indian restaurants. Their Pashawari lamb tikka and lamb rogan josh is fantastic.

[ae101]

I'm greek.

Stephos is disgusting and an insult to greek food.

infact there are no good greek places in vancouver except for maybe kisamos.


greek food: im just gonna say majin's house :troll:

[Meowjin]

greek food: im just gonna say majin's house :troll:

i've cooked for people alot.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300509_10150365009414333_510689332_7876444_1650489 875_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/167009_502133309332_510689332_5831228_1834628_a.jp g

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/148557_454697254332_510689332_5177383_2237023_n.jp g

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/18763_218031639332_510689332_2885053_4268249_a.jpg

[donjalapeno]

whats wrong with stephos?? i love stephos.

[LiquidTurbo]

I'm guessing probably that it's not proper authentic greek food, more like a mass fast food type catered for the masses.

It's what Panda Express is to Chinese Food probably.

[godwin]

I think it will not be quite like Panda Express, more like Hon's.

I'm guessing probably that it's not proper authentic greek food, more like a mass fast food type catered for the masses.

It's what Panda Express is to Chinese Food probably.

[Culverin]

i've cooked for people alot

What would it take to be one of those people?

[LSF22]

What would it take to be one of those people?

i've cooked for people alot.


+1 I'd like to be one as well....

If I ever have extra of my home made laksa, we'll trade? ;) :fullofwin:

[Vansterdam]

For Dim Sum my favorite one around is the Golden Swan on Victoria drive. But what do I know I'm one of those dumb white guys :alone:

you need to hit up western lake on victoria and 34th for dimsum like 3-4 blocks away from golden swan, then hit up hoi an across the street for lunch lol

[murd0c]

I've gone to western lake a number of times. Haven't been there in ages tho.

[Not really racist!]

I'm greek.

Stephos is disgusting and an insult to greek food.

infact there are no good greek places in vancouver except for maybe kisamos.

so cristos greek taverna is bad too?

[NG007]

I'll voted for kisamos for consistently good Greek food and reasonably priced.

[Chicken Balls]

you need to hit up western lake on victoria and 34th for dimsum like 3-4 blocks away from golden swan, then hit up hoi an across the street for lunch lol

Agreed. I would much rather go to western lake than golden swan...

[jACEDesignsLtd]

Sort of related.

This happened to me recently.

I said to my Italian friend. I absolutely love Italian food. To which she replied, "and do you love the people?" That stumped me for a second. Good question. I never really thought about it that way.

So I reframe it to you all too. You love Indian food, but how do you find the people? You enjoy eating Japanese food, but do you appreciate Japan's history? Think about it next time you eat out.

Thanks for your time.

[Fuhrër-Z]

Hit up Fraserview meat shop-6657 Fraser St, grab some tandoori chicken and kebobs-rent a bootleg bollywood flick--BBQ that shit up and watch some sexually restrained ethic musicals.
Tandoori King (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CEQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tandooriking.com%2F&ei=acByT_nvOaXViALW0KWJCw&usg=AFQjCNHHUl-V9SwatAQzVn5136jWwFoTLg&sig2=dwh4La10-iqwXcNVPZ7APw) (Note: it is currently a pile of ash)
Bengali Fish & Curry (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1508048/restaurant/Vancouver/Surrey-Newton/Bengali-Fish-and-Curry-Surrey) - It's in Surrey, so bring your own cutlery.
Hey wanna see chinese people speaking hindi? Then hit up: Green Lettuce (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CDoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greenlettucerestaurant.com%2F&ei=y8ByT7jhL4rUiAKOi4WfCw&usg=AFQjCNFn0He1S3n3SFg4szh5IxUgekLYWA&sig2=HQbJFLwYpSxz8Bn1eR8XRQ)

[bcrdukes]

You love Indian food, but how do you find the people?

If my brother-in-law's name is Manjit, then so be it.

I love Indian people and their culture. :fuckyea:

[Ri2]

I think it will not be quite like Panda Express, more like Hon's.

damnit, i love hon's :cry:

[melloman]

Greek food: Santali's on Edmonds
Italian can be had next door at Amorosa. Both good places with decent prices.

Korean BBQ (expensive but worth it): Hanwoori @ Kingsway & Imperial

[Meowjin]

I don't need to like the culture to like the food.

[GGnoRE]

I had a lamb shoulder dish at Mad Greek in Richmond which was superb. Would recommend to friends.

[Meowjin]

Overpriced.

[spoon.ek9]

I'm greek.

Stephos is disgusting and an insult to greek food.

infact there are no good greek places in vancouver except for maybe kisamos.

Good to hear! I thought i was one of the few who doesn't particularly enjoy Stepho's anymore. I haven't been there for maybe a year or two because it's just too damn greasy and not that great imho. I always wonder why people line up for so long just to get a table.......

[Jer3]

ive been to mad greek maybe twice. both times the roast lamb was tasteless and dry.

[donjalapeno]

with a name like mad greek i wouldnt be suprised

[Alcoholics_Anon]

Overpriced.

I like how you point out Mad greek was overpriced but you're willing to pay $1.40 for a cold drink at Lido. :fulloffuck:

[fliptuner]

I like how you point out Mad greek was overpriced but you're willing to pay $1.40 for a cold drink at Lido. :fulloffuck:

$1.40 for a drink at almost any restaurant is cheap.:rukidding:

[bcrdukes]

$1.40 for a drink at almost any restaurant is cheap.:rukidding:

He's referring to the addition of $1.40 to simply add ice to a drink that is included with the cost of your meal.

[fliptuner]

Oh, included in set menus? Yeah, I hate the cost difference if hot/cold.

[GGnoRE]

I'm greek.

Stephos is disgusting and an insult to greek food.

infact there are no good greek places in vancouver except for maybe kisamos.

Since Majin is Greek, it seems like Majin has extremely high standards when it comes to Greek food, which I can understand. I am Korean, and for me to go out and pay to eat a cuisine that I daily cook/eat at home, the Korean restaurant would have to be damn good. But, saying there are no good Greek places in Vancouver, is a little discouraging for newbies who want to try out Greek cuisine...

There must be at least a few 'decent' Greek restaurants that you would suggest to other non-Greeks.

[Meowjin]

because it isn't greek food. It's like someone giving you a bowl of rice and saying its chinese food.

And to be honest greek food on its own is pretty straight forward and lacks creativity.

Turkish food is shitloads better.

[HonestTea]

What about My Greek Taverna in Coquitlam? How does that stack up in terms of Greek food?

[Firmware]

Every Vietnamese place has their own speciality so makes sure you choose the right one.

[Gnomes]

Pho - Green Lemon Grass (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/180755/restaurant/Vancouver/Richmond-Central/Green-Lemongrass-Richmond) in richmond.

I think own and operated by Chinese but I find their pho better than a lot of other places. However, they are not significantly better than your typical Pho Hoa or Thai Son.

[Meowjin]

What about My Greek Taverna in Coquitlam? How does that stack up in terms of Greek food?

never tried it. I suggest going to kisamos and getting the youvetsi. I love that stuff. I make it at home all the time.

[aznb]

Sherman's Food Adventures (http://www.shermansfoodadventures.com/)

[bcrdukes]

^
Fuck no.

[RouRK]

What about My Greek Taverna in Coquitlam? How does that stack up in terms of Greek food?

roast lamb is OK.. kefi's on lougheed and schoolhouse has better roast lamb and bigger portion of it.

[HonestTea]

roast lamb is OK.. kefi's on lougheed and schoolhouse has better roast lamb and bigger portion of it.

You sure? I thought Taverna's pretty good, especially for like $13.95 roast lamb dinner :D $17 at Kefi's I believe?

[red_2]

Pho Queen in richmond is top notch pho :thumbsup:

[Fuhrër-Z]

To summarize, Mad Greek is mediocre at best.
And there are no great greek places nearby.

[RouRK]

You sure? I thought Taverna's pretty good, especially for like $13.95 roast lamb dinner :D $17 at Kefi's I believe?

its really that cheap?

i ate there but didn't pay. was a xmas dinner.. i would say for that price its well worth it.

[Obsideon]

While on the topic of Greek cuisine, what about Kerkis in Kits? I went there about a year ago and it was pretty good...

Good and cheap dim sum I would recommend Golden Harvest, for GREAT dim sum I would go to Kirin but it's like triple the price.

HK BBQ: Like others have said, BBQ Master is tops. Melt in your mouth crispy pork goodness!

Viet Sandwich: Au Petite on Fraser, killer subs.

Deer Garden noodle soups are big and delicious ...

Man I could seriously go on FOREVER ... the diversity of food in Vancouver is mindbloggling and we are truly blessed and spoiled to have so many choices within a rocks throw distance. I don't have all night to list good food in every cuisine class offered in this city.

[Meowjin]

The bbq pork in the food court in parker is pretty good too.

for nam subs hung ting is waaaaaaaay better.

[bcrdukes]

for nam subs hung ting is waaaaaaaay better.

10000000x better!

That bread... :sweetjesus:

(Edit: I noticed they've been skimping out lately. :D )

[HonestTea]

Better than Au Petite eh? How much are their subs and where is it located?

[Culverin]

Tung Hing Bakery

Over the past 5 years, they have totally jacked up the price of their subs...
from 2.25, 2.50, 2.75 and now it's $3.25 i think?

Tung Hing Bakery (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Tung+Hing+Bakery,+1198+Kingsway,+Vancouver ,+BC+V5V+3C8,+Canada&hl=en&cid=12380149094107765867)

Don't tell them, but I'd still gladly pay 2x that amount.

Like others have said, their bread is zomg-good.

[HonestTea]

Tung Hing Bakery

Over the past 5 years, they have totally jacked up the price of their subs...
from 2.25, 2.50, 2.75 and now it's $3.25 i think?

Tung Hing Bakery (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Tung+Hing+Bakery,+1198+Kingsway,+Vancouver ,+BC+V5V+3C8,+Canada&hl=en&cid=12380149094107765867)

Don't tell them, but I'd still gladly pay 2x that amount.

Like others have said, their bread is zomg-good.

Will try it out soon, thanks!

[Meowjin]

I think inflation is a rising cost of the price. 2.50 is too cheap. 3.50-4.00 per sub is just right. especially for how large they are.

[HonestTea]

Just tried Tung Hing, $3.25 for the House Special

DAMN! It's fucking good LOL no more Au Petite for me!

[TypeRNammer]

Tung Hing Bakery

Over the past 5 years, they have totally jacked up the price of their subs...
from 2.25, 2.50, 2.75 and now it's $3.25 i think?

Tung Hing Bakery (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Tung+Hing+Bakery,+1198+Kingsway,+Vancouver ,+BC+V5V+3C8,+Canada&hl=en&cid=12380149094107765867)

Don't tell them, but I'd still gladly pay 2x that amount.

Like others have said, their bread is zomg-good.

3.25 is still a bargain considering the quality of the sub!

[Hardcore]

VOLCANO SUSHI! BEST SUSHI IN EAST VAN!
GREAT SPECIALTY ROLLS!

[Jas29]

anyone know a good place in surrey newton area that sells sweet and sour pork so far tried lucky horse, ming & Sing and Hang Lee Wok