Vancouver

It was bad back then too. I tried it once in 2003. That is an experience I would never hope to repeat. Very similar to what knightafter has reported. It just shows the the GS ratings don't mean much. Don't they also rate Hon's high pretty regularly?

Haven't tried Motomachi. But Benkei is much better than Kintaro.

A few other suggestions to mess with your planning... Another google map: Vancouver Hole-in-the-Wall and Ethnic Restaurants Also, I would also encourage a visit to Richmond as many have suggested. And I agree Aberdeen is not really a special destination by itself. But the chicken wings recommended above are quite good. Since you are from New York, if you want to get an idea about Richmond, you can imagine Flushing, minus the Korean population, minus easy train access from downtown (although that will be changed soon), and quadrupled in size since it is a much more suburban setting with malls and big parking lots. That is probably about as clear as mud. If you want to see another Chinese style mall, that also has a good food court, but is accessible more easily by public transit visit the Crystal Mall in Burnaby. It is a very easy skytrain ride from downtown, and then about a 10 minute walk from the station. Here is their webpage. Have fun!

I thought it is funny that for that rich thick glossy soup they say on the menu that it is preferred by women. I wonder why? In any case, I agree the charsu was also super rich and fatty - very tasty. They also will provide a lean version if requested from what I understand for those that like that. They will definitely give kintaro a run for their money!

Glad you liked it! It can get very very crowded on weekends. Seems like almost a community meeting centre for parts of the Vietnamese community as frequently people at all the different tables know each other! Venture out to some of their other soups as well, and you will get a whole different set of fresh condiments with some Vietnamese herbs you might not find at many other places. Normally the times I have been there (and there have been many) the service is very efficient and friendly. Seems like you might have hit a really slammed time though. Cheers!

The other day when I passed by the downtown location they still had the sign suggesting their new place "30 steps east" from them. But they also had a sign saying that they were remodeling and that they will buy a drink for all customers when they re-open. All of that said, the new ramen place on Robson street (not the new Kintaro owned one on Denman) about "100 steps away" called Benkei Ramen provides a ramen that in my opinion is superior, with much better service and a nicer atmosphere - all around a winning combination. They offer 3 different soup bases. (Well actually 2 and then the combination of the two with the addition of miso to make a third.) Give it a try! Cheers!

Here is the link to the pronounciation from wikipedia: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Pho.ogg They actually discuss pronounciation on the wikipedia page as well, and say, "...make an English /o/ sound but not round the lips."

On that strech: Hai Phong - 1242 Kingsway - My favourite pho in Vancouver. They also have Vietnamese hotpots. Chili Pepper House - 3003 Kingsway - Indian Chinese food. Definitely an acquired taste, but something you don't see many places outside of India (and apparently Vancouver) Crystal Mall Foodcourt - 4500 Kingsway - An excellent selection of various types of Asian fast food. The stall that sells the Fried chicken knees, and the one that sells Huanxi Spicy soup are my favourites. Hanwoori - 5740 Imperial (right off Kingsway) - excellent Korean BBQ Enjoy, and do report back to share any finds you make!

I tried Koko on Denman the other day. I didn't get coffee. I got their Italian Thick Hot Chocolate. Damn. That was by far the best hot chocolate I have had in Vancouver. It was extremely thick and creamy with a nice bitter chocolate flavour. They have something on the menu called a Turkish hot chocolate which is described similarly to a mocha but with cardamon. Gotta try that one next time! Cheers!

Welcome to egullet, beast. You should signup and go on fear factor!

Might as well add Prata Man to the mix down in Richmond for people to discuss. I think the owners are from Singapore, right?

They don't seem to have a wonderful record on the health front. Here is a recent report on them: http://www.foodinspectionweb.vcha.ca/Inspe...A8-005004AE1145 Some quotes: Seems the previous inspection didn't help much consider your awful experience there.

If you want some additional ethnic ideas try this google map: http://flyaow.com/ver.htm (Vancouver Ethnic Restaurants)

So when did Amadeus go out of business? I passed by there today and noticed a for lease sign on the property. Have they relocated or are they gone?

I remember seeing one in the cookware section at Daiso in Richmond a while ago. But I don't know if they still carry them. It wasn't a particularly good one though, since it was of course only $2. If you can't find it locally, you can always try House of Rice: http://www.houserice.com/takoyakipan.html or buy one from Ebay - there are lots available on there.

Crystal mall: http://www.thecrystalmall.ca/ As an aside, some of the food court offerings are quite reasonable and very tasty as well.

A few others to add to the mix: Finest at Sea (but even more West) Crystal Mall has 2 seafood shops that have a large selection of frozen, and some fresh. I don't know their names - but they are in the marketplace area. Angel is also excellent for frozen. Only occasionally (like around new year) will they have fresh available to the general public.

I Tivo it regularly too, and haven't gotten the Vancouver show yet here on Shaw Cable in Vancouver. I wonder if it only has aired on non-shaw travel channel (is there a difference?) so far????

That is the place. Thanks for the website! That explains where they are from too. Excellent! I was wondering. The place doesn't look like much at all, but they really do the ribs well. I wish they did brisket. But alas the world ain't perfect. Cheers!

Does anyone know the background of the folks at the Smoking Crust by any chance? I've had their St. Louis style ribs several times now and they are by far the best I've experienced in the Vancouver area (including as a judge at the BBQ competition). Really blow others like Memphis out of the smoker.

Have you tried calling Ichiban Snack Trading company in Richmond? Phone: 604-273-6633 Other possibilities include Izumiya in Richmond (better selection than their Denman store usually), Angel Seafood, or possibly even Daiso. Good luck!

Yum....Matcha Krispy Kreme. I see the lines forming already!

Seems to take a while for pricing to catch up with reality! But what about the quality of the food? Anyone tried it?

Has anyone tried the Morton's special that is running until November 18th? Details here: http://www.mortons.com/steakandseafood/ Sounds like a pretty good deal, but I was curious if I was missing something - (like a different quality of meat or something?)?

They seem to be doing well in their opening days: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=108654