604 Foodtography

Tre from Noshwell posted about Yuen Yuen Cafe the beginning of this month and I was so stoked upon reading it. They have ba wan (肉圓)!

Even though the Greater Vancouver area has a lot of Taiwanese restaurants, or at least Taiwanese owned, there are still many snacks and dishes that aren’t as easily brought over, either due to popularity or how easy it will be to replicate and serve.  Hence why when I find out a restaurant has oyster omelette, such as Corner 23 or Cabin 5555, I must try it out.

Same thing with Ba Wan, one of my favorite snack foods. It’s a doughy glutinous disc, stuffed with the usual ingredients, pork, bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms, served with a sweet and savory sauce.

I can’t expect it to be just like in Taiwan, where they are first steamed and then usually kept warm in oil (almost like being poached). This really hit the spot though, as the last time I had this was the last time I was in Taiwan, 2 years ago!

Grass Jelly Milk Tea with 1/2 Coconut Jelly and 1/2 Pearls on the left and Milk Tea on the right. Everything about my milk tea was perfect. The pearls were cooked to that optimal chewiness, and the milk tea itself was ..awesome. If I didn’t know any better I would have thought I was in Taiwan, based on the food!