If all you know about Canadian cuisine is Canadian bacon and maple syrup, you’re missing out! With a multicultural mix that includes Southeast Asian, Indian, German, Italian, French-Canadian, Filipino and Hispanic, fusion food is definitely the go in Vancouver. While the city certainly has its share of high-end eateries and fine dining establishments with a farm-to-table ethos (Vancouverites are said to spend more money eating out than anywhere else in Canada), you can also sample updates on traditional and popular fare at a food truck. Here are some of newest and best vans to track down in Vancouver.
Fliptop Filipino Fusion
Sure you’ve had tacos and sliders, but have you tried them with a Filipino twist? Fliptop Filipino Fusion isn't afraid of alliteration (and the team are quite photogenic to boot!) or adding some Filipino staples to popular street eats. Combining pan de sal buns, adobo sauce and longanisa sausage with favourites like pulled pork and the quintessential Canadian dish of poutine (cheese curds and fries topped with gravy) brings all the flavour seekers to the yard. Try the Flippin’ Adobo ‘Fili’ cheesesteak or turon brulee – a banana and caramel spring roll.
Tiffin Walla
Vegan, gluten-free Indian-style comfort food from a solar-powered truck – does it get any more eco-friendly than this? Using the Indian tradition of ‘tiffin wallahs’ – who traditionally deliver a home-cooked lunch in stackable steel tins known as tiffins to office workers in Mumbai – this Vancouver van has a changeable menu of subcontinental rice-based favourites such as channa masala (chickpea curry), biryani and aloo gobi (a potato and cauliflower curry). Buy your own reusable three-tier tiffin carrier to get a discount off your meal and save the environment.
The Pressure Box
Dubbed a ‘progressive mobile eatery’, this gourmet food truck has an emphasis on sous vide cooking (slow cooking food in sealed plastic bags immersed in hot water) that results in the most tender and juiciest meat and vegetables. Using locally grown, organic and natural ingredients, the rotating menu includes succulent buttermilk-marinated ‘Not your Grandma’s’ fried chicken (a signature offering) and the 48 Hour Beef Stew.
More foodie finds in Vancouver:
Beer + food trucks = :) Hoppy Endings In Vancouver - Canada's Craft Beer Capital Eating along BC's Sea to Sky Corridor. Food With A View - Sea To Sky's 5 Must-Visit Eateries
Mr. Arancino
Those moreish risotto balls full of gooey, cheesy goodness get the gourmet makeover at this dedicated food cart. The Sicilian fried arancini balls at Mr. Arancino come in meat, vegetarian and vegan options. The vegan Quinoa Ragu Arancini subs quinoa for rice to the delight of carb avoiders as well, while the Bacon Pesto Arancini crams bacon and pesto into the crispy yet soft risotto ball on a stick.
El Cartel Food Truck
Korean tacos, Mexican mac and cheese, Moroccan veggie tacos – El Cartel Food Truck is the United Nations of food trucks, bringing global flavours together. Think Korean bulgogi short-rib tacos, roasted Moroccan cauliflower tacos, Mexican truffled jalopeño mac and cheese and Korean kimchi fried rice. This is the ultimate in meal mashups.
#hungry in #vancouver? :D Grab this Okonomi dog! #cheapeats A photo posted by JAPADOG (@japadog.canada) on
Japadog Food Cart
The grand-doggy of Vancouver’s eclectic eats (established in 2005 and now with seven locations in Vancouver and two carts in California), Japadog is a marriage of the quintessential US hotdog with Japanese toppings – bringing two baseball-loving nations together with a must-have stadium snack. The signature Terimayo comprises a hotdog with teriyaki sauce, mayonnaise and seaweed, while the Ebi Tempura brings the sushi staple to a long bun with crunchy shrimp tempura on rice with seaweed. Savour the flavours with shaked fries – try butter and shoyu or shichimi and garlic.
Say Hello Sweets
What is a meal without dessert? Or skip dinner and just have dessert – no judgement here! For the sweet-tooths, Vancouver presents Say Hello Sweets – a 12-flavour ode to small-batch, homemade ice-creams in food truck form. Introduce yourself to totally lickable combos such as Jam Session (strawberries and rhubarb), The Fog (vanilla, earl grey tea and honey) and Monkey’s Uncle (caramelised banana and toasted walnut), plus ice-cream sandwiches and popsicles. Seriously, you had us at hello.
.........................................................................................................................................................
Air Canada flies non-stop from Brisbane to Vancouver from June 3. Visit your local Flight Centre store or call 131 600 for more advice and the latest deals with Air Canada.
.........................................................................................................................................................
