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Dragon Beard’s Candy at Richmond Aberdeen Centre 2019

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One of my favourite food stands to visit at Aberdeen Centre’s Lunar New Year Flower and Gift Fair is the Dragon’s Beard Candy Stand. Dragon’s Beard Candy is a sort of Chinese version of cotton candy but with a filling.

Dragon's Beard Candy at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond 2019

The candy’s white, thin strands are made of white sugar, maltose or corn syrup, and rice flour. The filling is typically made of peanuts, shredded coconut, and white sesame seeds.

Dragon's Beard Candy at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond 2019

Dragon’s Beard Candy dates back to the Han Dynasty in China. Legend has it that an Imperial Court chef entertained the Emperor by showcasing the process of making the candy.

This involved stretching a dough made of rice flour and sugar into small, thin strands. These strands resembled a dragon’s beard and were sticky enough to literally stick to your face easily. Hence, the candy was named Dragon’s Beard Candy.

Dragon's Beard Candy at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond 2019

The candy was freshly packed with each order. Each box was priced at $5.50 each.

Dragon's Beard Candy at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond 2019

The next opportunity for me to enjoy some Dragon’s Beard Candy would be this summer at the Richmond Night Market. For other fun facts on tips on how to eat Dragon’s Beard Candy, visit my post here.

What You Need to Know about Dragon’s Beard Candy
Montreal Chinatown Eats: Dragon’s Beard Candy

Chatime Reusable Cup and Straw Now Available

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In an effort towards sustainability, Chatime BC has introduced a reusable cup kit. Priced at $10.99, the kit includes a BPA-free reusable cup, reusable straw and cleaner. This kit is available in limited quantities right now at all Chatime BC locations.

Chatime Reusable Cup and Straw Canada Vancouver 2019

As I love Chatime, I picked up the kit at my local Chatime on Robson on the first day that it was available. My kit was fresh out of the shipping box and I was the first customer at that location to purchase it.

I was really impressed with the cute design of the reusable cup. On the bottom part of the cup is the Vancouver Downtown Waterfront with Canada Place and its iconic white sails.

Chatime Reusable Cup and Straw Canada Vancouver 2019

On one side of the cup are volume markings.

Chatime Reusable Cup and Straw Canada Vancouver 2019

The lid features the Chinese characters for Chatime: 茶太.

Chatime Reusable Cup and Straw Canada Vancouver 2019

The kit came with a cleaner to help you remove any residue inside the straws.

Chatime Reusable Cup and Straw Canada Vancouver 2019

When you bring your reusable cup to Chatime, you get $0.25 off your drink purchase. Not a huge savings but it’s nice to be able to support sustainability initiatives.

It’s too bad that Chatime BC did not opt for stainless steel straws which I think would last longer than the plastic ones they are offering. Overall, I like how cute the cup looks and enjoy it for its novelty factor aside from helping the environment.

Related posts:

Best Chatime Drinks 2018 | Top 10 Chatime Drinks

Best Selling Meet Fresh Desserts and Drinks

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Meet Fresh is a popular Taiwanese dessert chain with over 700 locations worldwide. They are best known for their hand-made desserts (like taro ball deserts, soft herbal jelly, and tofu pudding) using natural ingredients.

Best Selling Meet Fresh Desserts and Drinks | Top Meet Fresh Desserts | Top Meet Fresh Drinks

Want to know what to order at Meet Fresh?  Here are the Best Selling Meet Fresh Desserts and Drinks as posted at their Robson Street location:

Best Selling Meet Fresh Drinks

  1. Hot Almond Drink
  2. Fresh Milk Black Tea with Boba
  3. Purple Rice Drink with Milk Tea
  4. Winter Melon Tea with Mini Taro Balls
  5. Milk Tea with Grass Jelly

Best Selling Meet Fresh Desserts

  1. Hot Taro Ball #4
  2. Signature Hot Grass Jelly
  3. Signature Icy Grass Jelly
  4. Hot Almond Soup #2
  5. Tofu Pudding #3


Related posts:

Best Chatime Drinks 2018 | Top 10 Chatime Drinks
Best Selling Coco Fresh Tea & Juice Drinks
Best Selling Gong Cha Drinks
Best Selling Comebuy Drinks
Best Selling Presotea Drinks
Best Selling Shiny Tea Drinks
Best Selling Happy Lemon Drinks 2018 | Top 10 Happy Lemon Drinks

Chinese New Year Treats 2019 from Aberdeen Centre

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It’s a SNOW DAY here in Vancouver! I’m staying cozy on this snowy day with a hot cup of tea and some Chinese New Year treats I picked up from the Aberdeen Centre Flower and Gift Fair.

Chinese New Year Treats from Aberdeen Centre 2019

What’s your favourite treat? Yau Kwok 炸油角, Sweet Egg Twists 炸旦散, Fried Braid Dough 脆麻花, or Sesame Cookies 笑口棗? I love my Sesame cookies. Stay warm today!

Related posts:

Chinese New Year Events in Metro Vancouver 2019

Lunar New Year 2019: Year of the Pig Macaron 2019

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As the new sun rises in a brand New Year, may it bring you good luck, prosperity, joy and contentment. Happy Lunar New Year! 新年快樂!

This past weekend, I picked up a limited edition Year of the Pig macaron ($2.50) by Bon Macaron Patisserie‘s booth at Aberdeen Centre’s Flower and Gift Fair.

恭喜發財 #豬年快樂 #新春快樂 #大年初一 #大吉大利 #年年有餘 #新年快樂!

Chinese New Year Events in Metro Vancouver 2019

Yaletown’s Mister Artisan Ice Cream Reopens February 2, 2019

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Last summer, Mister Artisan Ice Cream had to be temporarily closed for repairs due to a flood. There was a void in my foodie heart (and in my freezer) as I could not enjoy ice cream from one of my favourite ice cream purveyors in Vancouver.

But now, my heart is whole again as Mister is reopening this Saturday, February 2 at 2 pm with crazy new flavours and deals for customers. I had the chance to preview these new offerings at a media event. Here’s a look at what you can expect.

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Crusted Ice Cream Sandwich ($8)

I really enjoyed the complexity of this unique savoury ice cream sandwich flavour featuring a regular vanilla ice cream and chocolate-dipped sandwich rolled in Cheetos. You’ve got the addictive, spicy, umami flavour of the Cheetos which is soothed by the creamy and sweet vanilla ice cream. You’ve basically taking your taste buds on a trip with this one.

Yaletown's Mister Artisan Ice Cream Reopens February 2, 2019

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Bar ($8)

This creative treat has Cheetos-flavoured ice cream with Cheetos chunks and sandwiched between Cheetos sides. The Cheetos-crusted sides are really crunchy while the Cheetos chunks within the ice cream give it some extra textural contrast. I like it for its novelty factor but I like the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Crusted Ice Cream Sandwich more because it has a sweeter finish.

Yaletown's Mister Artisan Ice Cream Reopens February 2, 2019

Ritz flavour ice cream

This is like where ice cream and Ritz crackers had a baby. The Ritz flavour is definitely there but not overpowering. It’s light, buttery, cheesy, creamy and enjoyable in an ice cream format.

Yaletown's Mister Artisan Ice Cream Reopens February 2, 2019

Two new vegan flavours: Dark Coffee and Hazelnut

As I’m somewhat lactose intolerant, I love a good vegan ice cream. Mister’s new vegan ice cream flavours really hit the spot with the Dark Coffee and Hazelnut. The Hazelnut was wonderfully nutty and earthy and went well with the coconut flavours. Both were good but I would love to have a pint of Hazelnut in my fridge.

Yaletown's Mister Artisan Ice Cream Reopens February 2, 2019

Grand Reopening Deals

Aside from these limited edition flavours, Mister will also be offering cheap $5 pints and $3 ice cream sandwiches.

Made by Mister
1141 Mainland Street, Vancouver
madebymister.com

Best Selling Happy Lemon Drinks 2018 | Top 10 Happy Lemon Drinks

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Launched in 2006, Happy Lemon is a China-based global tea chain with overseas locations in the UK, US and Canada.

Best Selling Happy Lemon Drinks 2018 | Top 10 Happy Lemon Drinks

Want to know what are the best drinks to order at Happy Lemon?  Here are the Best Happy Lemon Drinks/Top 10 Happy Lemon Drinks as posted at their Robson Street location:

TOP 10 HAPPY LEMON DRINKS

  1. Green Tea with Salted Cheese
  2. Bubble Milk Tea with Puff Cream
  3. Freshly Squeezed Lime Black Tea
  4. Lemon Yakult with Aloe
  5. Mango Lemon Slushy
  6. Fresh Lemon Honey Green Tea
  7. Yakult Green Tea
  8. Matcha Latte with Tiramisu Salted Cheese
  9. Mango Matcha Latte Smoothie
  10. Milk Tea with Taro Balls

Related posts:

Best Chatime Drinks 2018 | Top 10 Chatime Drinks
Best Selling Coco Fresh Tea & Juice Drinks
Best Selling Gong Cha Drinks
Best Selling Comebuy Drinks
Best Selling Presotea Drinks
Best Selling Shiny Tea Drinks

日出茶太Chatime最受欢迎大饮品

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想知道日出茶太Chatime最受欢迎的饮品 是什麼？以下是Chatime Richmond Alexandra位置發布的最佳Chatime饮品 ：

Chatime Richmond Alexandra Road Bubble Tea

日出茶太Chatime十大最受欢迎大饮品:

  1. 台北日出奶茶 Pearl Milk Tea
  2. 日出招牌烤奶凌 Grass Jelly Roasted Milk Tea
  3. 日出红豆奶茶 Red Bean Pearl Milk Tea
  4. 台灣土芒果QQ Taiwan Mango QQ
  5. 芒果冰沙 Mango Smoothie
  6. 芋頭冰沙 Taro Smoothie 
  7. 蜂蜜烏龍茶拿鐵 Honey Oolong Tea Latte
  8. 蜂蜜璞玉綠茶 Honey Jasmine Green Tea
  9. 抹茶紅豆奶茶 Matcha Red Bean Milk Tea
  10. 黑森林慕斯 Chocolate Mousse
Chatime Richmond Alexandra Road Bubble Tea

English version:

Best Chatime Drinks 2018 | Top 10 Chatime Drinks

Where to Get Brown Sugar Pearl Milk in Metro Vancouver | 溫哥華黑糖珍珠鮮奶

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The latest craze in the world of bubble tea is centered around Brown Sugar Pearl Milk (黑糖珍珠鮮奶). For the unitiated, Brown Sugar Pearl Milk is a blend of fresh milk, brown sugar syrup and tapioca pearls.

Many have found the drink appealing due to the richness of the flavour from the caramelization of the brown sugar. It’s also a very pretty (hence, very Instagrammable) drink with funky streak patterns of brown sugar. I personally have enjoyed the contrast between the warm pearls and the cold milk. The original Brown Sugar Pearl Milk is caffeine-free as it does not have tea in it, however certain places other variations featuring tea (like tea latte, milk tea etc).

Want to know where to get Brown Sugar Pearl Milk in Vancouver? Check out these places below.

1. Xing Fu Tang | 幸福堂

Taiwanese-based Xing Fu Tang opened up in South Cambie last month. The Brown Sugar Milk Series ($5.50 – $6.95) at Xing Fu Tang includes the Brown Sugar Pearl Milk, Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea, Brown Sugar Pearl Black Tea Latte and Brown Sugar Pearl and Herbal Jelly Milk. See my review here.

Xing Fu Tang
3432 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC 
www.xingfutang.ca

2. YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea |一芳台灣水果茶

While YiFang is primarily known for their fruit tea, they also serve Black Sugar Soft Pearl Ball ($6.50).

YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea
150-5555 Gilbert Rd., Richmond
4020 Cambie St, Vancouver
2112 W 41St. Ave., Vancouver
3612 Kingsway, Vancouver

Coming soon:
6049 Fraser St., Vancouver
4515 W10th Ave, Vancouver
1601-4500 Kingsway, Burnaby
4329 Dawson St., Burnaby
202B-4501 North Rd., Burnaby
3-1161 The High St., Coquitlam
109-10196 152nd St., Surrey
www.facebook.com/YifangCanada

3. Taan Char | 嘆茶

Taan Char, an independently-owned bubble tea shop in South Granville and Metrotown, offers Brown Sugar Pearl Milk.

Taan Char
7908 Granville St, Vancouver
1696-4500 Kingsway, Burnaby
www.instagram.com/taanchar/

4. Chatime | 日出茶太

Chatime BC has announced that they will be launching their Brown Sugar Pearl Milk series. Customers can get a preview starting January 11 with a limited supply launch, available daily starting at 3 pm. Each store only has 1,200 cups during this preview period, while supplies last.

Chatime BC
1545 W. Broadway, Vancouver
1274 Robson St, Vancouver
6075 W. Boulevard, Vancouver
2740 E. Hastings St, Vancouver 
6361 Cambie St, Vancouver
9100 Blundell Rd, Richmond
8351 Alexandra Rd, Richmond
5216 Kingsway, Burnaby
2250 Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby
10255 King George Blvd., Surrey
130-2950 King George Blvd., Surrey
2755 Lougheed Hwy., Pt. Coquitlam 
51 Sixth Street, New Westminster
2980 Island Highway North, Nanaimo
1306 Douglas St., Victoria
www.instagram.com/chatimebc

5. Sharetea | 歇腳亭

Sharetea BC has launched their version of Brown Sugar Pearl Milk series featuring Tiger Fresh Milk, Tiger Black Pearl Milk Tea and Tiger Green Pearl Milk Tea.

Sharetea BC
3619 Kingsway, Vancouver
2828 Cambie St, Vancouver
6111 No. 3 Road, Richmond
1033-8300 Capstan Way, Richmond
www.1992sharetea.com

6. Exposure Social House | 曝光奶茶

Exposure Social House, a bubble tea house with locations in Richmond and Commercial Drive, serves Devil’s Fresh Milk ($6.50).

Exposure Social House
1706 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
131-4600 No 3 Road, Richmond
www.instagram.com/exposure.socialhouse/

7. OneZo Tapioca | 丸作

Taiwanese-based OneZo Tapioca has a single location in Burnaby and offers a Dirty Tea series ($6) featuring Brown Sugar Dirty Milk, Brown Sugar Dirty Black Latte, Brown Sugar Dirty Oolong Latte, and Brown Sugar Dirty Matcha Latte.

OneZo Tapioca
4929 Kingsway, Burnaby
www.onezotapioca.com

8. Intea | 因為茶

Canadian-founded Intea offers Black Sugar Milk Latte and Strawberry Marbled Milk.

Intea
2035-4000 No 3 Road (Aberdeen Square)
2790 West Broadway, Vancouver
29 E Esplanade, North Vancouver
www.instagram.com/intea_rmd/

9. Spiritea

The newly opened modern tea house, Spiritea, at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond has just launched a healthier version of the popular Brown Sugar Pearl Milk drink.

Meet the Brown Sugar Peach Jelly ($6.50) featuring jelly made from peach resin. Peach resin (also known as peach gum) is a natural sap that forms on peach trees, has a jelly-like texture and contains many health benefits. ⁣⁣ It has been reported in classical Chinese medical literature that peach gum has curative qualities include treating relieving stress, quenching thirst and a secret for beautiful skin. Read more about my experience here.

Spiritea
Aberdeen Centre 4151 Hazelbridge Way, #1968 Richmond, BC
spiriteadrinks.com

Know of any more places? Drop me a line at foodgressing@gmail.com.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara (now Autostrada)

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Cinara, a modern European bistro with a focus on Italian-inspired cuisine, is known as one of Canada’s top 100 restaurants (rank #67) and one of the best Italian restaurants in Vancouver (rank #3) by Vancouver Magazine. The restaurant is chef-owned and operated by husband and wife duo Chefs Lucais Syme and Gillian Book.  Since my visit, the restaurant has renamed themselves to be Autostrada (same as their other sister restaurant) although the concept remains the same.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

VICTORIAN HOTEL

Cinara is located in the corner unit at Homer and West Pender in one of the oldest buildings in the city — the 117-year-old Victorian Hotel. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting with exposed brick walls and warm wood tones.  There are a few tables set up for twos and small groups.  Bar seating is available and apparently that is where some of Vancouver’s top chefs and restaurateurs like to eat on their days off.

Note:  None of the food or drinks in this post were complimentary.  This review is done anonymously. 

6-course Tasting Menu

I had visited Cinara once before and this time I came with fellow food bloggers, Diana (foodology.ca), David (pickydiners.com), Hanson (noshandnibble.blog) and Maggi (vieamaggi.com). We decided to go with the 6-course tasting menu priced at $75 per person.

What We Tried

Sourdough

To start, we were presented with fresh baked sourdoughserved with whipped butter. It had a mild flavour with a strong, chewy texture, and crisp crust.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Chicken Liver Parfait

Next we had the chicken liver parfait on a crispy sourdough cracker with their own house fermented cornishons. This was one of my favourite dishes that we tried. I loved the smooth, rich, spreadable pâté on the crisp cracker. The cornishons added some tanginess to each bite.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Burrata

We were then presented with burrata cheese delivered from Italy on the day, preserved and fresh plum purée, their best balsamic and olive oil with cracked pepper. The burrata tasted very fresh being milky, buttery in flavor and soft and springy in texture. The plum puree added some acidity and sweetness. It was good to enjoy the burrata with the sourdough bread.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Beef Tartare

I also really enjoyed the beef tartare with pickled pear and creme fraiche. The beef was very delicate, flavourful, juicy and tender.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Halibut

Our seafood main was a Pacific halibut cartuccio steamed in a parchment package and accompanied with potato, carrot, and escarole. Unfortunately, the fish was probably overcooked as it was very tough.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Pasta

The pasta dish was tortelloni stuffed with duck confit, pistachio, and salsa verde. The duck filling was meltingly tender but a rich, slightly salty but mellow flavour. It was unfortunate that the portion was so small.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Meat

The meat entree was a braised pork collar with cipollini onion, apple, and brussel sprouts.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Dessert

To finish off the meal, we had the salted caramel tart with pine nut and apple. It was something I had tried before and I found it just as good. It was not quite like salted caramel but more on caramel side.

6-Course Tasting Menu at Cinara Vancouver (now Autostrada) | Vancouver Italian Restaurant

Overall Impression of Cinara’s 6-Course Tasting Menu

I found the selection we had for Cinara’s 6-course tasting menu to be less enjoyable than when I ordered a la carte. I enjoyed the chicken liver parfait, the beef tartare, and the pasta while the fish and meat dishes could have been improved. I think the consensus at our table was that the meal failed to impress and was not as memorable as we had hoped. I would recommend trying more of the pasta dishes rather than the other mains. Rating: 3/5

Cinara
Address: 350 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC
Website: ‎cinara.ca

Top Vancouver Italian Restaurant: Cinara

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