Chinatown - Vancouver Restaurants

 

Radha Yoga & Eatery (Chinatown)

Radha Yoga and Eatery (web site, 728 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-605-0011) is a yoga studio in Chinatown that offers high-quality, 100% vegan dining, from Thursday to Saturday.

Trentm writes on Dinehere.ca (read review):

Radha has a great atmosphere, with hardwood floors and exposed brick in a big, open space. The live folk music really added to the relaxing, calm feel of the place. It’s also such a treat to go out for dinner on a friday night and not have to fight the crowds or feel rushed. The food was tasty and presented well…

Pictured below is the Nori Roll (Japanese Seaweed) appetizer, $7.00, which their menu describes as “raw sunflower-hempseed paté, julienne vegetables, sprouts and avocado in toasted nori with homemade pickled ginger and orange dragon dip”. The orange dragon dip is a light soya sauce with a touch of orange juice. Also pictured below is one of their featured main courses for the summer, the Southern Style Tempeh ($13.00). Maple-barbecue glazed tempeh - like tofu but coarser - was served with cornbread, warm summer greens, and seasonal vegetables. It was delicious. My only wish was that there was more glaze / barbecue sauce to soak into the cornbread!

The Chinatown area of Vancouver (where Radha is located) is one of the more graphic neighborhoods, but is quite safe to visit.

Maple Barbecue Glazed Tempeh ($13) from Radha restaurant in Vancouver.

(above) Maple Barbecue Glazed Tempeh ($13) from Radha restaurant in Vancouver.

Raw Nori rolls at Radha restaurant ($7.00)

Raw Nori rolls at Radha restaurant ($7.00)

- Thursday, June 12th, 2008

 

Wild Ginger Restaurant (Tinseltown) - Part 2

Wild Ginger (web page, map, reviews, 2015 - 88 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-893-8608) is a Korean - Chinese fusion restaurant in the International Village Mall, hidden away behind the Tinseltown Mall food court. To find this restaurant, go up to the food court level in Tinseltown / International Village mall and look across from the center escalators for the entrance to the restaurant in the middle of the food court. (The food court is one level below the popular Cinemark Tinseltown movie theatres.)

Wild Ginger has quite an extensive menu, with a range of Korean dishes (including Korean BBQ), Chinese food, and even some western-fusion dishes. The Beef Tenderloin (around $18, pictured below), was quite a treat - tender slices of beef were served atop potatoes and stir fried vegetables, with accompanying Chinese egg fried rice that was arranged quite artfully in the shape of a fish. The restaurant is quite large and could easily accommodate a large group (but please call ahead to make reservations so that they can be ready for you!). There is free parking in the mall (upon validation by the restaurant), and the restaurant is very close to the Stadium Skytrain station (Vancouver’s subway).

One thing to note is that this restaurant doesn’t have very many choices for vegetarians. My friend wasn’t too impressed by his “vegetarian delight” ($11) which was more of a side dish. But for those who enjoy eating meat or seafood, Wild Ginger has plenty of enticing dinner selections. Check out their web site for the current menu. For another photo and more info please view Part 1.

Beef Tenderloin at Wild Ginger (with egg fried rice, potatoes, and stir fried vegetables, around $18)

Beef Tenderloin at Wild Ginger (with egg fried rice, potatoes, and stir fried vegetables, around $18)

- Monday, June 9th, 2008

 

Taste of India Restaurant (Tinseltown Food Court)

Taste of India Restaurant is a fast food restaurant located in the Tinseltown Food Court at International Village mall (view map, address: 88 W Pender, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-806-0799) on the edge of downtown Vancouver.

The mall is really close to GM Place Stadium and BC Place Stadium, as well as the Stadium skytrain station, and it’s a convenient place to stop for a bite to eat before the Canucks hockey game or BC Lions Football.

The food court at Tinseltown mall is on the level below the movie theatres. Taste of India Restaurant provides a healthy and delicious alternative to the other fast food outlets such as Taco Time and Vana Vietnamese.

At Taste of India they make their Naan bread fresh to order - I was really surprised: it only takes about a minute for them to roll the dough and bake it, and it tasted awesome! Pictured below are two different orders of Combo 2, which includes two items of your choice from their menu with rice and Naan bread for $6.25. Some vegetarian items are available.

Indian food with Naan bread
Indian food with freshly made naan bread ($6.25)

More Indian food with Naan bread
Indian mixed vegetables, Curry Chicken, and Naan bread ($6.25)

- Saturday, March 8th, 2008