What To Eat In Vancouver During Asian Heritage Month

Every May we celebrate Canadians of Asian descent, with this year’s theme being Recognition, Resilience, and Resolve. Learn more about the many ways to show your support, this month and year round, via Asian Heritage Month. Asian-owned and -run restaurants and food producers are offering some interesting and incredibly delicious dishes for takeout and kitchen essentials. —Catherine Dunwoody

Coho Collective’s Asian Heritage Month Three-Pack ($35) includes Salty Cabbage’s premium kimchi, True Nosh’s XOXO sauce and Van Koji’s shio koji—all from locally owned Asian brands. Add this to your pantry for easy ways to amplify your home cooking.

Here’s an unexpected partnership: Beaucoup Bakery and Asian Heritage Eatery have created a dim sum-inspired Golden Mochi Croissant. Imagine Beaucoup’s famous butter croissants filled with a salted egg yolk frangipane, and Asian Heritage Eatery’s black sesame ball. Grab yours at either location during the remainder of May and part proceeds will benefit Yarrow Society, which helps low-income seniors in Chinatown.

Chef Angus An is the genius behind five restaurants focusing primarily on Thai and other Asian cuisines. At Maenam, try the Chef’s Tasting Menu with classic dishes like Pad Thai and seasonal ones like Grilled Wild Local Salmon Salad. Freebird Chicken Shack is currently offered as pickup at Maenam; try the Asian-Style Salt-Cured Roast Chicken served with soup and rice (made with Hainan chicken broth) for an easy supper at home. Sen Pad Thai in Granville Island’s Public Market does the best stir-fries around, with the Pad Pu Sen Chan, a spicy Pad Thai with B.C. rock crab meat topping our list. Fat Mao Noodles in Chinatown is loved for Southeast-Asian soups; try the Thai classic, Tom Yum Goong, a cloudy hot and sour prawn soup with mushrooms, galangal, lemongrass and evaporated milk. Longtail Kitchen in New Westminster suggests the Holy basil beef and fried egg served on rice. 

Potluck Hawker Eatery does Malaysian with the Meegorrito, chef Justin Cheung’s favourite breakfast burrito and IndoMie’s infamous instant noodle. Available starting Friday, May 14 and all May weekends after, the special handheld represents nostalgic moments from Cheung’s childhood. Part proceeds from the Meegorrito benefits the Asian Mental Health Collective.

House of Yee is a third-generation Canadian business that specializes in gluten-free dumplings that are nothing short of excellent. Owner Christine Yee’s freezer bags of Asian dumplings are available in most grocery and specialty food stores, in four varieties.

Newly opened in Steveston, Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine does Thai dining in an upscale way. Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng takes much pride in creating each of her dishes to look as artfully beautiful as they taste. Try the Khaao Saawy Gai, fresh organic chicken with coconut milk, yellow curry, and turmeric on egg noodles, pickled vegetables and lime.