Rating / 4 out of 5 stars

Santouka Hokkaido Ramen joins the fray of ramen shops including Benkei, Motomachi Shokudo and Kintaro on Vancouver’s West End. This imported Japanese franchise, with several dozen branches globally, brings its own refined blend of Hokkaido soup and noodles to Robson Street.

Like its counterparts, Santouka is a relatively small space, but not cramped. A gigantic communal table sits at the front of the shop, a bar runs down the length of the open kitchen, while the rest of the dining room is filled with a few regular two top tables.

(Above: Shio Ramen, a Tonkatsu broth seasoned with sea salt and garnished with green onions, wood ear and bamboo.)

We arrived shortly before 5pm, early enough to snag the two remaining seats left at the communal table. Minutes after we sat down, the line began forming. But the staff was able to quickly whittle the line down by efficiently turning over tables as patrons left.

Case ordered the Shio ramen, a velvety broth of pork bone stock generously seasoned with sea salt and garnished with green onions, wood ears and bamboo. The broth flavour is noticeable less fatty than Kintaro’s, yet still maintains a deeply rich flavour. The Cha Su was equal parts fat and lean and it was all fall apart tender. The noodles were equally well executed — nice texture and flavour. As a bonus, Case was happy to order a smaller portion for a dollar less (on the flipside, you could upsize for a dollar more).

I ordered the Green Onion set with a spicy Miso Ramen: a miso broth kicked up ever so slightly (it looks far more spicy than it actually is) with a bit of chili and Kimchi. The set includes a half boiled egg (tasty, but nothing special), and a bowl of rice humbly topped with shards of green onions, bonito and nori. The rice could have very easily been a throw away side, but the fragrant combination of green onions, bonito and nori really elevated this dish.

(Clockwise: 1. Rice topped with green onion, nori and bonito flakes. 2. Half a boiled egg. 3. Spicy Miso Kimchi Ramen.)

Our meal came to just under $25 with taxes and tips which, given the portions, is slightly pricier than similar ramen shops. The price difference, however, wouldn’t deter us (nor should it deter anyone) from returning. We’re still fans of Kintaro’s ramen. But, Santouka is the perfect alternative for those seeking a less fatty alternative.

Perfect for: Healthier ramen — that (thankfully) doesn’t taste healthier.

The Details

1690 Robson Street, Vancouver
604.681.8121
santouka.co.jp/en/

Rating / 1 out of 5 stars

While lining up at Donald’s Market to pay for our groceries, we noticed a box of Green Tea Oreo bars sitting all by their lonesome. The bars looked sad and a bit dusty, but the expiry date was still good, so it came home with us.

The cookie bar is coated with green tea chocolate and did really taste like some sort of green tea. However, the Oreo itself was crumbly, dry, and stale. I couldn’t really taste any remnants of the original Oreo. What a shame. This bar belongs back into the box.

Perfect for: A pass. I’d rather have a Kit Kat or a real Oreo.

The Details

Donald’s Market
2279 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
604.255.1440

Rating / 3 out of 5 stars

Gold Mills Filipino Cuisine sits in a tiny strip mall complex just off Kingsway and Fraser serving up home cooked meals in a mom and pop fashion. They keep good company with Les Faux Bourgeouis, just kitty corner across the street and share the same complex as Ba Le.

(Above: All day breakfast: Fried Fish, Garlic Rice and Fried Eggs — Breakfast of Champions)

Gold Mills is tucked away pretty good on the Fraser side of the complex, keeping it out of view from most people. Despite the golden awning emblazoned with the restaurant name, you’d be hard pressed to notice it was there at all. Inside, the modest-sized restaurant felt like someone’s home kitchen with boxes of random objects stacked about. A home-printed sign on the front counter declares the best deals for flights to the Phillippines, while another declares a special price on buffet style warming trays.

(Top to bottom: 1. Shanghai Lumpiang. 2. Take away Coffee.)

We were here for breakfast, but the restaurant had just opened when we arrived after noon. A Filipino variety show played in the background as would-be stars belted out renditions of Katie Perry songs. Gold Mills appears to be run by a couple. She — decked out in full cafeteria lady gear: hairnet and smock — informed us that not all the items on the menu were ready yet, as the kitchen had just been fired up.

The all day breakfast was calling us, but the usual selection of Filipino sausage and Tocino were not yet available. Instead, pan fried Bangus (milkfish) was the protein of choice to go with the combination of garlic rice and fried eggs. Sounded good to us. We ordered that and half a dozen Shanghai Lumpiang (spring rolls) before settling down at the bar with a front row view of the strip mall parking lot.

(Top to bottom: 1. Mango Ice Cream topping the Halo Halo. 2. Chunks of Taro and Corn in the Halo Halo.)

Our meal came with a coffee, which arrived first with a bowl of brown sugar and a thing of what appeared to be evaporated milk. Our breakfast arrived after a delayed intermission, fresh from the kitchen. The Bangus was tasty — a bit dry and bony — but the flavour paired perfectly with the wonderfully fragrant fried garlic rice. The fried eggs were dope: greasy and slightly runny, just the way we like it. The Shanghai Lumpiang, however, were slightly disappointing. Although the flavour was nice, the skin was too chewy for our liking.

Case also ordered the Halo Halo (Filipino version of iced dessert) after eyeing a home-printed sign advertising its availability was tacked to the front window. At $6 a pop, though — we were pretty disappointed. I suppose this version of Halo Halo is likely an acquired taste — something we haven’t yet acquired. The mango ice cream on top was nice enough — but we weren’t huge fans of the taro chunks and corn niblets combination.

Overall, our meal came to just over $21 including taxes and tips. It was a pretty hearty meal — minus the perfectly forgettable Halo Halo.

Perfect for: a hearty, post-hangover breakfast.

The Details

#5 – 701 Kingsway, Vancouver
604.677.4247

Rating / 3 out of 5 stars

Located in a strip mall just off Honoapiilani Highway in Maui, Honokowai Ozakuya & Deli is primarily a take-out only eatery that serves a seemingly random assortment of dishes — anything from Fish and Chips to Chow Fun.

(Top to bottom: 1. The condiments on the counter pretty much sum up what Honokawai Ozakuya Deli is all about. 2. The cook hard at work.)

Inside, you can see this eatery is clearly meant for take out, or a quick bite to eat. The only seating is a small bar running down one side that might seat half a dozen people. The rest is occupied by the kitchen and a small counter to place takeout orders. The restaurant is divided by a half-height wall separating the kitchen and seating area.

(Above: Panko breaded Mahi Mahi and chips — oh, so Hawaiian.)

As Case and I attempted to read the menu board behind the proprietor, he points out a different menu to the side of the door that he assures is more descriptive. We glance over the myriad of Chinese stir fries before both our eyes land on the fish and chips: Panko Breaded Mahi Mahi.

The breading was a bit over seasoned, but the Panko gave the fish a beautiful crunch, reminding me more of a Katsu-like texture. It was coated perfectly even, and the Mahi Mahi was super tender and fresh. The Tartar sauce that accompanied it was mostly forgettable. You can easily skip it by squeezing a couple lemons over the whole platter and be done with it.

(Clockwise: 1. The Coke can is weirdly retro looking. 2. Can’t have Fish and Chips without the Tartar sauce. 3. The Mahi Mahi has a meatier texture than the standard Cod.)

At first, we thought the $16 price tag was a bit much for a single order of fish and chips. But when we realized the box came with four, fair-sized portions of fish and a whack-load of fries, we knew this was a pretty solid deal.

Perfect for: Something tasty to take on a picnic to the beach, or sneak back into your hotel.

The Details

3600 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina
808.665.0512

Rating / 4 out of 5 stars

Here’s another new member of the Kit Kat family — Coffee Milk Kit Kat. It’s a delicious, white chocolate coated wafer infused with coffee flavoring. The coffee tastes very much like instant coffee mixed with milk. We don’t like instant coffee, but this is a Kit Kat, so we’re not talking about gourmet chocolate, either. This Kit Kat is good. And if you like Coffee Crisp, then you might want to give this one a try.

The Coffee Milk Kit Kat comes in just under $2.30 for 4 pieces. A word of warning though, the coffee taste is surprisingly intense and will even give you coffee breath. It’s a good idea to have a stick of gum ready.

Perfect for: a nice, light coffee break.

The Details

Candy Land
Aberdeen Centre
4400 Hazelbridge Way Richmond
604.278.1160