It has been a while since my previous post. But I have a good excuse. Recently I have adopted a French Bulldog puppy named Angus. He is a real handful. I hardly have time to rest, let alone writing a new blog post. So in the next little while (depending on how well Angus behaves), please be patient with my irregular post schedule.

Now let’s get back to the Cheap Appetite. A couple of weeks ago, I went out for a dim sum lunch. However, on the way there, I realized that I only had five bucks and changes in my pocket. Too lazy to go back for more money, I headed to Ba Le Sandwich Shop in Chinatown instead.

This Bánh mì (Vietnamese Sub Sandwich) shop has been a mainstay in Vancouver’s Chinatown a few decades now. I first heard about it from LotusRapper one of my avid readers a while back.

Ba Le looks old and outdated. They must have spent nothing on their decor for the last couple decades. And that’s probably why they can offer such great valued subs. Most Bánh mì were priced at $3 except the Dặc Biệt (special) which was priced at $3.50. All are tax included. I felt like splurging a bit so I chose the most expensive sub on the menu. A staff, and perhaps the owner, told me that Dặc Biệt has more meat than the others.

My order was ready in a few minutes. Dặc Biệt fillings include Vietnamese ham, cold cut, Vietnamese slaw, pate and cilantro. The French Baguette was fresh, crispy on the crust and soft on the inside. The tartness and crunchiness of the Vietnamese slaw complimented the meaty ham, cold cut and Pâté well. It’s such a classic Vietnamese flavor combo.

After finishing the sub, I still had a little room left in my belly. So I grabbed myself a cup of chilled desserts from the fridge and paid $1.25 at the till. The Vietnamese dessert I chose was made of dry longan, dry jujubes, agar and sugar syrup. It was a bit too sweet but quite refreshing. Perfect for the hot summer days and way cheaper than a Tall Frappuccino.

Ba Le Dac Biet Vietnamese Sub: ©©©©

Vietnamese Dessert: ©©©1/2

Ba Le Sandwich Shop is located at 633 Main Street, Vancouver, BC (T) 604.662.8108

©2011 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

I was working with my friend Grant a couple of weeks ago on a freelance project at a coffee shop near Tinseltown. Around lunch time, he told me that I should check out Costco Food Court for the next Cheap Appetite mission. I was hesitated at first because I thought it was for Costco member only. I’d rather not write about the place where only a few readers can check it out. To my surprise, Grant assured me that everyone can dine there.

So we walked down the Abbott Street and turned right onto the Expo Boulevard. Costco Food Court is located just across the street from the Rogers Arena where the Vancouver Canucks play. There was already a long line of patrons when we arrived.

Five minutes later, it was our turn to order. I decided to go for the Costco quarter pound all-beef hot dog and a 20-ounce drink with free refill combo ($1.99 plus HST). You can also choose a Polish sausage hot dog for the same price. Grant ordered a grilled chicken salad ($5.99). Because everything was pre-cooked, we got our orders right away.

We grabbed my order and walk to the condiment and drink stations. There were just the good ol’ ketchup, yellow mustard, relish, chopped onions and sauerkraut. Then both of us went to sit on one of the empty picnic table in front of the cafeteria.

Grant’s grilled chicken salad looked quite impressive. The mixed veggies appeared to be fresh. It also came with a few wedges of apples and a handful of roasted pecan. The salad dressing came in a plastic pouch like what you normally get from the fast food chain. When I asked him about the salad, he simply replied “it was good.”

My hot dog was plump, juicy and beefy, but didn’t snap when bitten into. It was probably about twice as big as the 50-cent Ikea hot dogs. The sesame topped bun was decent. A comparable hot dog from one of the Vancouver street vendors would have cost around 4 bucks. The drink was just a standard soda fountain drink. But you can keep refilling until your heart’s content.

One thing I’d like to complain was that Costco Food Court doesn’t sell just a hot dog by itself. If you want two hot dogs, you have to pay for two combos. However, they do sell a 20-oz drink separately for 79 cents plus HST.

After finished the combo meal, I still had some room left in my belly. So I decided to go for a half-vanilla, half-chocolate soft serve ice cream cone ($1.99 plus HST). Again, it was about twice as big as Ikea ice cream cone. Costco served their ice cream on a thin, crispy waffle cone instead of the typical wafer alternative. For 30 cents extra, you can make it a chocolate, caramel or berry Sundae.

The soft serve was creamy and delicious. And, best of all, it wasn’t too sugary. The ice cream cone was definitely a highlight of the meal. Thanks to Costco cafeteria, from now on, I no longer need to go all the way to Ikea Richmond to get cheap hot dogs and soft serve ice cream cones anymore.

Costco Food Court Quarter-Pound All Beef Hot Dog and Drink Combo: ©©©©
Costco Food Court Soft Serve Ice Cream (half vanilla, half chocolate) : ©©©© 1/4

Costco Food Court (downtown) is located at 605 Expo Blvd, Vancouver, BC (T) 604.622.5050

©2011 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

I can’t afford buying Starbucks Frappuccino or Vivanno Smoothies every time I want some cool treats. And I’m sure many of my readers don’t want to pay that much money either. So I looked around downtown Vancouver and picked out 5 cool treats that will chill your sweat glands to the core. All are under $2 each.

1. BINGGRAE MELONA MELON FLAVOURED CREAMSICLE ($0.99 each at H-Mart (Robson and Seymour streets) or $6.19 for an 8-pack at T&T Supermarket). This heavenly awesome creamsicle was made in South Korea. Binggrae Melona comes in a variety of flavours including banana, melon, mango and strawberry. My favourite is the melon. The subtle sweetness and mild melon flavour make this milky iced bar a perfect treat on a stick. You will enjoy the refreshing sensations from the very first lick. The mango and strawberry are pretty good too. But I’m not a big fan of the banana one.

2. SUNRISE ALMOND FLAVOURED TOFU DESSERT ($1.34 at T&T Supermarket). This healthy treat is yummy and cheap. And for this low price, you get two servings of this mouth-watering soy goodnesss. Sunrise Tofu Dessert also comes in a variety of flavours including original, banana, coconut and ginger. The new custard flavor (limited edition) tasted very similar to the custard, but a lot healthier. My favorite, however, is the almond flavor. It’s smooth and refreshing and taste best when chilled. I sometimes eat it with canned fruit salad and crushed ice. Tony the tiger would’ve said “They’re grrrrreat!” if he had ever gotten his red tongue on this dessert.

3. WENDY’S FROSTY FROZEN DAIRY DESSERT ($1.69 for small size – (437 ml)). Many of you are already familiar with the famous Frosty. It comes in Vanilla and Chocolate flavours. But I normally go for a chocolate. Not sure why. The name frozen dairy dessert implies that this yummy treat isn’t made of real cream (or cream is not one of the main ingredients). Hence it cannot be named ice cream. However, most of the ice cream-like products you found in the grocery store freezers are actually frozen dairy dessert. If you ever look at the ingredients, you’ll rarely find dairy cream listed as one of the main ingredients.

Regardless of what Frosty is, it’s quite delicious and refreshing. Although the medium size is still a penny shy of  $2, the small size is 30 cents cheaper and plenty enough for me.

4. TIM HORTONS ICED CAPPUCCINO ($1.89 for small size (375 ml)). This treat is widely known as “Iced Capp” to many of Tim Hortons loyal fans. The Slurpee-like product is sold like hotcakes this summer. I once heard a customers complaint that she had run around downtown Vancouver for her afternoon fix of Ice Capp because they were sold out in the previous two Tim Hortons she visited. I personally think the Iced Capp is quite refreshing, though it doesn’t taste like coffee to me for some unknown reasons.

5. T&T SUPERMARKET COCONUT TAPIOCA DESSERT ($1.99–320 g). I love this dessert. It’s mildly sweet and creamy. The milk and coconut milk combination is simple yet very scrumptious and refreshing. Tapioca pearls added fun texture to the dessert. You can probably fake your own homemade version of this dessert with a can of coconut milk, whole milk or condense milk, sugar, a small pinch of salt and tapioca pearl. This dessert also comes in Mango flavor, but I personally like the coconut one more.

NOTE: Don’t mistaken this dessert with a similar tapioca pudding dessert from T&T. The coconut tapioca dessert is in liquid form while the pudding is more jello-like.

I hope you guys enjoy these delicious cool treats this summer.  Cheap Appétit

Binggrae Melona Melon Flavoured Creamsicle: ©©©©1/2

Sunrise Almond Flavoured Tofu Dessert: ©©©3/4

Wendy’s Chocolate Frosty Frozen Dessert: ©©©1/2

Tim Hortons Iced Capp: ©©©1/4

T&T Coconut Tapioca Dessert: ©©©1/2

H-Mart is located at 200-590 Robson Street, Vancouver, B.C. (T) 604.609.4567

For more H-mart location in the Greater Vancouver, click here

T&T Supermarket downtown is located at 179 Keefer Place, Vancouver, BC (T) 604.898.8836

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:

Remaining Budget: $142.34

Budget Spent: -$7.9 (0.99+1.34+1.69+1.89+1.99)

Budget Available: $134.44

©2010 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes‎

I’m not a big fan of cheesecake. But I am a big fan of the Golden Girls. So when Rue McClanahan passed away earlier this week, I just had to write a tribute for her. Blanche Devereaux is one of my favorite sitcom characters. Actually, to hell with it — I love them all; Sophia Petrillo, Dorothy Zbornak, Blanche Devereaux, and Rose Nylund.

If you are also a fan of the Golden Girls, you’d know how much they love cheesecake. And chocolate cheesecake was always their favorite. Although my budget doesn’t allow me to fly in the best chocolate cheesecake from Miami, I did my best to find one in Vancouver that would be Golden Girls-worthy.

According to the Province (a major British Columbia newspaper), cheesecake from Trees Organic Coffee is the best in Vancouver. Since I normally don’t eat cheesecake enough to know and I had no time to do extensive research, I’ll just went with their recommend.

Fortunately, a Trees Organic has recently opened in Gastown on the same block as the Steam Clock, just a few blocks from my place. But rumor has it, their cheesecakes are so pricey you almost have to sell your first born child just to buy a piece. Though it’s not exactly a Cheap Appetite, dammit, this is a special occasion. My beloved Rue McClanahan would not want me skimping out on this one. So I was going to go for it, provided I could get a piece for under $10.

Trees Organic Coffee Gastown is a small yet cozy shop. A couple of tables beside the front windows are great for people watching while enjoying your cheesecake and coffee. There is a refrigerated display case featuring varieties of cheesecakes at the counter. Since I was there for a tribute to Rue, I ordered a piece of chocolate cheesecake. But the closest they have is Chocolate Swirl cheesecake. I guessed that will do. “It’ll be $6.29,” the cashier said. Thank G_D that I had prepared myself for a very steep price; otherwise I would have had a massive heart attack right then and there, and joined Rue for some cheesecake in the afterlife.

Since the lovely tables beside the window were occupied, I went to sit at the table outside so I could enjoy the beautiful weather. Shortly after I sat back to watch the passersby, the cheesecake arrived. It was plated in a big ceramic square dish decorated with chocolate syrup and caramel streaks. A couple dollops of whip cream were on the opposite corners. To be fair, it was a big piece of cheesecake. However, considering all the fat in this indulgent dessert, no one should ever eat the whole piece alone in one sitting. But I was about to do it.

The chocolate swirl cheesecake was definitely creamy, rich and decadent. However, it was a bit too sweet for my taste. And they may have added some sour cream to the mix, as the tanginess overpowered the chocolatey flavor. What the hell? I paid six bucks for a chocolate cheesecake and I couldn’t even taste any chocolate in it. Had the world gone mad? And because it was so rich, after about half a piece, I already had enough, but anyone who reads this blog regularly knows I could never just throw $3 worth of cheesecake away. So I kept going until it all disappeared.

As I was eating the chocolate swirl cheesecake, I reminisced over all the good times I had been watching the Golden Girls. Blanche Devereaux, aka The Human Mattress (as Sophia once called her), was a sexually liberated mature woman vividly portrayed by Rue. Her line “I’m jumpier than a virgin at a prison rodeo” is a classic. But no matter how slutty she was, Blanche is always a good company to Sophia, Dorothy, Rose, and the audience. Thank You For Being a Friend, Blanche Elizabeth Devereaux (B.E.D). I’ll still be watching you on TV whenever I find you. And may you rest in peace Rue McClanahan.

Trees Organic Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake: ©©© 1/8

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Remaining Budget: $210.70
Budget Spent: -$5.99 ($6.29 included sales tax)
Budget Available: $204.71

Trees Organic Coffee Gastown is located at 321 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada. (T) 604.633.3880

©2010 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

I came across Kam Wai Dim Sum, a new restaurant in Vancouver Chinatown, while I was exploring the area a few weeks ago. The restaurant is located on Pender Street between Main and Gore street, the block I rarely walk on. Thanks to my inquiring mind, I have a new restaurant to check out. So I took a quick look at the menu on a store window and the prices were very wallet-friendly. However, dim sum is meant to be shared with others. So I made a mental note to come back later for a review.

A few days later Natee, a friend of mine, called around lunch time. So I told him to meet at Kam Wai. “Dim Sum for two? Is it expensive?, he asked. Natee is about as cheap as I am. Perhaps that’s why we get along well. “I’ll try to keep it under 10 bucks each. We’ll get just a few dim sum and a filler dish,” I replied.

Natee was fashionably late as usual. He showed up just under fifteen minutes late which is his personal best record to date. Kam Wai was plainly decorated. But perhaps that’s why they can keep the price low. All the tables were lined with thin plastic sheets which will be conveniently thrown away after each meal. Practical but not very green.

Kam Wai serves dim sum all day. The dishes were priced from $2.50 up. The restaurant only makes dim sum to order; They do not push the carts filled with yummy stuffs around. The check list of selections is categorized by prices which make it easy for us to manage our budget. After a lengthy finger counting session to ensure we didn’t overspend, we decided to order the followings: Steamed Crystal Prawn Dumplings ($3), Green Onion Pancakes ($3), Steamed Spareribs with Pumpkin ($2.75), Baked Egg Custard Tarts (2.75), a pot of tea (50 cents) and a filler dish, Beef and Vegetable Ho Fun (Flat Rice Noodles–$6.50). This last dish was actually on the menu as Beef and Vegetable Chow Mein, but I asked to substitute with the flat rice noodles instead. Somehow, they let me have my way with no extra charge.

The Ha Gow came first. The skin was thin and transparent. I could see through the shrimp inside. These are the signs of a good Ha Gow. The shrimp filling was perfectly cooked. It was a nice start.

The green onion pancakes were next. These tasty little cuties were cut into quarters. They were crispy on the outside and softer on the inside. The onion flavor was rather mild. I could have eaten up the whole plate by myself.

Then came the steamed spareribs with pumpkin. It was my first time tasting this dish with steamed pumpkin. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first; however, I was pleasantly surprised with the lovely flavors in my mouth. The spareribs were tasty and tender. I could smell a refreshing hint of orange peels in each bite. The ribs also had a mild kick of chili peppers. And the soft, sweet pieces of pumpkin were hidden treasures under the pile of delicious spareribs.

My squinty eyes were wide-opened when the beef and vegetable ho fun arrived. It was, perhaps, big enough portion for both of us to share as a meal. Better yet, it’s only $6.50. And best of all, it was scrumptious. The beef was so soft and tender. The broccoli was slightly undercooked the way it should be. The Ho Fun noodles imparted the alluring Wok Hei. The sauce was skillfully flavored. It wasn’t too salty or too bland. The Shitake mushrooms had soaked up the delicious gravy throughly. It is definitely a cheap appetite.

The baked egg tarts were also nice. It wasn’t too sweet which I really like. The tart shell was fluffy. But I was already full with the previous dishes. So I only had a piece. To be honest, I don’t remember much about them.

Overall Kam Wai Dim Sum is good and cheap. For both of us we spent $18.50 ($9.25 each). Although we went there mainly for the dim sum, their filler dish impressed me most. Since then I went back there again by myself to try the beef and vegetable chow mein. However, I prefer the ho fun one more.

Kam Wai also offers the Taiwanese beef noodle soup on the menu too. It will be next on my list to try.

Kam Wai Ha Gow: ©©©1/2
Kam Wai Green Onion Pancakes: ©©©3/4
Kam Wai Steamed Spareribs with Pumpkin: ©©©3/4
Kam Wai Beef and Vegetable Ho Fun: ©©©©1/4
Kam Wai Baked Egg Tarts: ©©©1/4

NOTE: Kam Wai Dim Sum has now transformed into a self-served, take-out Dim Sum joint. They also sell frozen Dim Sum but no longer offer the noodle dish and green onion pancake shown above. For more details please click here.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Remaining Budget: $228
Budget Spent: -$9.25 (($3+3+2.75+2.75+0.5+6.5)/2)
Budget Available: $218.75

Kam Wai Dim Sum is located at 249 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada. (T) 604.568.6692

©2010 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

I had been freelancing in Yaletown for almost 6 weeks. It was fun working in a new and friendly environment. However, I had a hard time finding a Cheap Appetite for lunch in the neighborhood. For weeks, I had survived on either Subway meatball or cold cut subs ($3.29 for a 6-incher). Although I enjoyed experimenting on different combinations of bread and sauce at first, it got old really fast.

That was when I moved along to a few ethnic restaurants nearby, but they weren’t worth writing about. While I’m sure there is plenty of Yaletown fine dining where I can find a delicious meal, most of them cost more than I’m willing to pay.

It wasn’t until my final week freelancing in Yaletown that I decided to grab my lunch at Bean Around The World Coffees at the corner of Mainland and Nelson Streets, right next to the good ol’ Subway that I’d gotten sick of earlier. The store front signage featured butter chicken for eight or nine dollars, and a few other dishes around the same price. It was a few bucks more than I normally would pay for lunch— which is why I had steered clear of this place until then.

However, once I stepped inside, I realized this coffee shop offers a variety of lunches and desserts other than what I saw on their signage. Most half sandwiches were priced at $3.85. They were comparable in size to the 6-inch subs at Subway, and though they had less veggies, the fillings were of higher quality.

Bean Around The World Yaletown was crowded during the lunch rush, with patrons patiently waiting in line to order their meals. When at last it was my turn, I went for a half Soprano Meatlover sandwich ($3.85) and a Deep Dutch Brownie ($2.10). All sandwiches are grilled in the panini machine until crispy on the outside unless you tell them otherwise.

While waiting for my meal, I had time to look around the interior. I really like the funky, mismatched decoration and the exposed brick walls. But some of the tables are too big to dine alone. During the lunch rush you may end up sharing one of the big tables with a few strangers.

Once my name was called, I picked up my order and headed to the front of the restaurants where it was nice and bright. After the mandatory photoshoot, it was time for the taste test.

According to their signage, the Soprano Meatlover sandwich is made of hot italian soppressata, hot capicollo, ham, salami, fresh tomatoes, hot sauce, spicy mayo, sun-dried tomato, basil pesto, and jalapeno havarti cheese. As you can imagine from the list of ingredients, the Soprano Meatlover had a lot of kicks in it. I felt as if I was eating a Mauy Thai sandwich or something. Fortunately, my tongue is masochistic, enjoying whatever abuse spicy food can dish out. Bring it on, hot sauce, spicy mayo and jalapeno havarti! Ohhh yesss… The only thing I’d complain about is that for a meatlover sandwich, there was not enough meat in it. A couple pieces of ham and a thin slice of, perhaps, capicollo was all that there was. I wasn’t sure where the rest was hiding.

After a spicy sandwich, I was glad I ordered a dessert. The Deep Dutch Brownie was chocolatey. It was sweet but not too sugary. The chocolate cream on top added another layer of choco-licious to this decadent dessert. Bean Around The World Coffees Yaletown offers quite a few varieties of brownie other than the Deep Dutch. As far as I remember, Sexy Bitch and Triple Chocolate brownies were among the ones I wanted to try.

Once I was finished, I went to take more photos of the sandwiches and desserts in the display cases. That’s when one of the owners, Sim, popped up from behind the counter and asked why I was taking all the photos. We then talked a bit about the store. She said that all Bean Around The World Coffees are unique. They’re only required to purchase the coffee beans from the company; other than that, they are pretty much free to run the shop however they think best fits their customers. She also admitted the shop ran out of some meat ingredients for the Soprano Meatlover that day, and were still waiting for another new delivery. Meanwhile, they had to make do with what they had. Unfortunately it was the day that I happened to order my sandwich. Dammit. I’ll have to be back again next time for a complete version next time I’m in Yaletown.

Bean Around The World Coffees Yaletown Soprano Meatlover sandwich: ©©©¾
Bean Around The World Coffees Yaletown Deep Dutch Chocolate brownie: ©©©¾

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Remaining Budget: $233.95
Budget Spent: -$5.95 ($3.85+$2.10)
Budget Available: $228

Bean Around The World Coffees Yaletown is located at 1002 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2T4 (T) 604.685.9929

©2010 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

<a href=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/740997/restaurant/Yaletown/Bean-Around-the-World-Vancouver”><img alt=”Bean Around the World on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/740997/minilogo.gif” style=”border:none;width:104px;height:15px” /></a>

It was a beautiful Wednesday morning so I decided to walk to work. As I passed by Bon Chaz, a new bakery/café on West Hastings Street, I could smell freshly baked buns in the air. Suddenly I felt as if the delightful aroma had transformed into a giant hand; It grabbed me by the arm and dragged me inside. Since I had no breakfast yet, I went along with it.

A friendly staff greeted me as I walked in. She also offered me a free sample. The bun was so soft and delicious I wanted to start my Cheap Appetite mission right then and there. Unfortunately, I had to go to work. So I bought a couple of buns and rushed out the door. Lacking self-control over yummy substances, I shamelessly shoved one of the buns in my mouth as I hurried to the office. “Oh my… Melted French truffle. I’ve gotta come back this weekend,” I told myself.

Saturday morning had finally come. I headed out as soon as I finished my morning routine. Bon Chaz is located next to the Academie Duello (a swordplay school), and opposite to the Church of Scientology. The bakery is also a block west of the Vancouver Herb Museum (in Marc Emery’s Cannabis Culture Headquarters) where psychoactive “herb” and hallucinogens exhibits. Boy, what an “eclectic” neighborhood I’ve lived in!

I arrived at Bon Chaz around 11 am. When I was about to order, I realized I had no money with me. “Dammit,” I swore as I hurried home for the wallet. Fifteen minutes later, I was back again. Now fully equipped with a twenty dollar bill, I ordered a freshly baked French Truffle Bon Chaz ($1.75*) and a cup of coffee ($1.95*). Bon Chaz buns come in three varieties–plain ($1.25*), French truffle, and banana walnut ($1.75*). These buns are a hybrid of Conchas (Mexican buns) and Brioche (French buns). The top crust was covered with a thin layer of crispy coffee cookie. The bun itself was soft, almost cloud like. It was warm and slightly sweet. Once bitten into the melted dark chocolate filling, I was high without any cannabis.

A moment later, the staff also brought me an empty cup and a 16 oz coffee in a French press pot. I was so in awe by what I saw I lost my words. “Is this the $1.95 coffee I ordered?” I asked the staff after I got thought straight. Sure enough it was mine. For the price, all I expected was just a cup of pre-brewed coffee. When she told me to take a seat while she made me a pot, I didn’t expect it was all mine. The organic coffee beans were freshly ground to order. The coffee tasted really good. For the first time, I could taste the subtle sweetness in natural coffee which I never had with the typical pre-brewed coffee. To savor the pure coffee flavor, I drank the first half black. Then I finished off the second half with cream and sugar.

While I was still working on the coffee, I ordered a 12-oz cup of potato, bacon and mushroom soup ($2.95*). The soup was creamy and chunky. Unfortunately it was warm, instead of hot. Although the soup was not quite in the same league as the Stock Market soup, it was way better than average. At about $2 cheaper than those of the Stock Market, they are definitely a Cheap Appetite. The bread was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. The ground rosemary in the dough added a wonderful aroma to each and every bite.

At this point I was quite impressed with Bon Chaz and would like to know more. So I asked if I could talk to the manager. Conveniently, Michael Lui–the store owner–was there. According to him, Bon Chaz started from a booth at various Farmer’s markets and events. With great feedbacks, he decided to open up this bakery/cafe. During the introductory period, he intentionally prices his menu items very competitively. Hence the low prices of French press coffee, soup and Bon Chaz buns. Eventually, the prices will unavoidably have to go up. But they will still be competitive within the neighborhood.

Bon Chaz Bun with French Truffle Filling: ©©©©**

Bon Chaz French Press Coffee: ©©©©1/2**

Bon Chaz Potato, Bacon and Mushroom soup: ©©©1/2**

*All prices are introductory specials. All prices are subject to change without noticed. Take advantage of them while they last!

** Rating are based on the introductory prices.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:

Remaining Budget: $296.79

Budget Spent: -$6.65 ($1.75+1.95+2.95)

Budget Available: $290.14

Bon Chaz is located at 426 W Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada. (T) 604.626.7215. Store Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am to 6:30 pm. Sat 10:30 am to 5 pm.

NOTE I: This coming Tuesday (March 9th, 2010) between 6 am to 8:30 am only, Bon Chaz is going to give away free coffee and buns to all the walk-in customers while supplies last. From 11 am to 6 pm on the same day, patrons can purchase a 12 oz cup of soup for $1.

NOTE II: On my first visit to Bon Chaz, I left the banana walnut bun in my backpack for almost two hours. Although it was still tasty, the bun was not as soft as the freshly baked French truffle bun I tasted on the way to work. Bon Chaz buns are best when fresh off the oven.

©2010 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics are over. It’s time to move on. During the next two months or so, I will alternate between my Thai culinary adventure stories and Vancouver restaurant reviews. With no further ado, here’s my first installment on Cheap Appetite in Thailand.

I landed on the Suvarnabhumi Airport, the new Bangkok international airport, at 10:30 pm. It was a breeze getting through the Thai immigration and custom. So I had to wait a bit for my brothers to pick me up. By the time we got near our house, it was almost midnight but we did stop at the Sukhumvit 38 Road for some midnight snacks. I wasn’t really hungry, but after all these years in Canada, I was dying for Thai street food.

You can always find something to eat in Bangkok. Along both side of the road stood many night food stalls. If you have 60 baht ($2), you can have a good meal there. I wanted to eat so many dishes, but only had so little space left in my stomach. After a bit of browsing around, I chose Pad Krapow Gai Khai Dow (Stir-fry chicken and Thai Holy Basil with a fried egg on rice—$1.67). Although I could get this dish here at Thai Basil in downtown Vancouver, I’d like to see how it stacked up with a Thai food stall. In Thailand, Pad Krapow Gai Khai Dow’s popularity is comparable to hamburger’s here in North America. It’s arguable the number one street food in Thailand. Unfortunately, I got a lousy Krapow Gai for my first meal.

The next couple of days, I ate like I had a black hole in my stomach. I bought food from almost every food stalls I walked past. And it started to take a toll on me. On top of that, my brothers and sister took turns taking me out for lunches and dinners. Although I won’t be able to cover them all in my Cheap Appetite mission, I will post pictures and captions of those meals on CheapAppetie.com facebook page in the near future.

Despite my passion with street food, I decided that it would be more appropriate to write about well-established restaurants than street vendors. Not only you, my readers, can find the restaurants easier, but you’ll also be safer from food poisoning.

SeeFah is the first restaurant I had planned for my first Cheap Appetite mission. Although it wasn’t cheap by Thai standard, but it’s affordable within my weekly budget. SeeFah was established in 1936. In the early years, it was just an ice cream parlor ran by a couple of Chinese immigrants in Thailand. Over the next decade or so, the restaurant had transformed into a popular Chinese restaurants among the high-society crowd. After the second and third family generations of management, the restaurant has added more Thai menu and expanded into twenty locations throughout Bangkok. For Vancouverites, you can think of SeeFah as Bangkok’s “White Spot.” Or, perhaps, TGI Friday’s if you’re Americans.

I visited SeeFah Thonglor during lunch hour. It still looked the same as it was years ago. After a long contemplating on the menu, I finally decided to narrow the dishes down to a few. For this mission, I chose Khao Khai Khon Goong (Soft omelette shrimp on rice), Kanom Jeen Gang Kheow Wan Gai (Thai sourdough rice noodles with green curry chicken, and Khao Neow Durian (Thai sweet sticky rice with Durian in palm sugar and coconut milk sauce).

The Khao Khai Khon Goong (80 baht–$2.67) had arrived first. The egg omelette was about eighty to eighty five percent cooked. It was served over Thai jasmine rice, then topped with cooked shrimp and cilantro. The dish came with a Thai popular condiment, nampla prik (fish sauce with Thai chilies). Khao Khai Khon Goong is a Chinese inspired dish original to SeeFah. The shrimp was nicely cooked. The uncooked egg combined with nampla prik acted as a savory sauce over the flagrant steam rice. Normally, this dish would be enough for lunch. However, I only visited Thailand once every other year, I had to eat ’til I drop.

Kanom Jeen Gang Kheow Wan Gai (70 baht–$2.33) came soon after. I was a bit underwhelmed by the amount of sourdough noodles served with the dish. It was not enough for a meal. However, please take a good look at the green curry. The color, though muted green, it is very intense. And, unlike French sauce, the oil separation in the Thai curry sauce is very desirable. Sadly, many green curry you found in North America are not only pale to almost white, but also smooth like babies’ butts.

SeeFah Green curry was pretty tasty. It tasted great with the fermented aroma of Kanom Jeen. Only if there were more noodles on the dish, it would have been perfect. Salted egg was a great addition the curry. However, the portion was, again, too small to make any impact on the dish.

Once I finished the main course, it was time for the dessert. Khao Neow Durian (70 baht–$2.33) is one of many great Thai desserts. However, SeeFah’s version of this dessert was disappointing. The sticky rice was brown and soggy as if the restaurant let the sticky rice sat in the palm sugar coconut sauce long before served. They should have added the sauce to sticky rice just right before bringing it to the table. This way the rice will stay white and chewy. The fragrant durian had lost its unique aroma. Although some may find the aroma too strong and offensive, it’s ridiculous to eat Khao Neow Durian without it’s nasty yet delicious flavor. For those of you who couldn’t stand Durian, Khao Neow Ma-muang (Sticky rich with Mango) would be a better option for you.

SeeFah is definitely not the best Thai restaurant in Bangkok. But you’ll be sure to taste clean and decent dishes there (except Khao Neow Durian).

SeeFah Khao Khai Khon Goong: ©©©3/4
SeeFah Khanom Jeen Gang Kheow Wan Gai: ©©©1/4
SeeFah Khao Neow Durian: ©3/4

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Remaining Budget: $304.12
Budget Spent: -$7.33 ($2.67+$2.33+$2.33)
Budget Available: $296.79

For all SeeFah locations, addresses and phone numbers, click here.

NOTE: SeeFah added 10% service charge to every dishes on the bill. Yes, even for a party of one like me. Thank for their annoyingly ridiculous practice, I had saved 5% on the tip which, otherwise, I would have given them 15%.

NOTE II: From March 1st to 14th this year, McDonald’s Canada will give away free small coffee all day. Get it while you can.

©2010 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

The south side of the Robson Street between Seymour and Richards is becoming one of the most exciting culinary warzone. Many food vendors–including a falafel shop, a Vietnamese sub shop, a dessert shop, a pan Asian noodle bar and a couple Japanese restaurants–are all located within the block (not to mention a food court on the second floor of H-mart). And very soon two more fierce newcomers–Gyudon-ya and Japadog–will join this battle field. Most of these competitors are quite interesting and I’ll eventually review them. But, for now, I will start with a couple shops I called the “Dynamic Duo.”

The first half of the Duo is Viet Sub, a dingy Vietnamese sub sandwich shop in this culinary war zone. Despite the shabby look, their Vietnamese subs (Bánh mì) have won me over. Viet Sub sandwiches are not only delicious, but also very affordable. The sub prices start from $3.25. Viet Sub also offers pho and Vietnamese salad rolls. However, I have never tried them. (Well… the shop name is Viet Sub, not Viet Pho or Viet Salad Roll.)

For this week mission, I ordered the special sub–Vietnamese ham, fatty cold cut, barbecued meat and meatball ($3.75). The cook toasted the subs before served. (If you prefer traditional-style subs, ask for the untoasted.) The warm and crispy French baguette was interestingly contrast to the cold fillings. The four different types of meats made each bite unpredictable and fun. Vietnamese sour pickles–julienned daikon radish, carrots, and cucumber–are flavorful and crunchy. The seasoned soy sauce and mayo beautifully combine the Eastern and Western cuisines together. Fresh cilantro added freshness to the sandwich. The only thing was missing is the pâté. It was spread too thinly on the bread I barely tasted the flavor.

After I finished the sub, I still have a little room left for sweets. So, I walked out of Viet Sub directly into the cream puff shop next door. Beard Papa’s, the second half of the Duo, has just opened at this location a few months ago. The name may sound a bit weird to some, but probably cute to the Japanese. Beard Papa’s is a Japanese cream puff chain founded since 1999 in Osaka, Japan. According to Wikipedia, “their trademark is the choux pastry shell filled with cream custard, available in vanilla, chocolate and specialty flavors such as green tea, strawberry, pumpkin, Earl Grey tea, Èclair, and coffee.” Their cream puffs are made daily with no added preservatives.

The Beard Papa’s store is a total opposite to the Vietsub. It is clean and welcoming. The shop features three cream puff flavors daily. The store also offers cheesecake stick and fondant au chocolate. For this mission, I went for the most popular, the original cream puff ($1.75).

It didn’t take long for the staff to pump the filling into the shell. The choux pastry shell was slightly crusted on the outside but fluffy on the inside. Once I bit deeper, the vanilla custard cream started to ooze into my mouth. It was light, yet creamy and not too sweet. Since I am not a fan of overly sweet desserts, this cream puff is perfect for me.

Despite of their different looks, Viet Sub and Beard Papa’s complement each other very well. The Dynamic Duo is a good example of Cheap Appetites in Vancouver where the cost of living is among the highest in Canada. However, if you know where to go, you can have a good meal and a delicious dessert for under $6–or even $5 if you order one of the $3.25 sub like chicken, Vietnamese ham, or veggies instead of the Special Sub.

Viet Sub Special Sub Sandwich: ©©© 1/2

Beard Papa’s Original Cream Puff: ©©©©

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Remaining Budget: $315.61
Budget Spent: -$5.5 ($3.75+$1.75)
Budget Available: $310.11

Vietsub is located at 542 Robson St., Vancouver, BC, Canada. (T) 604.569.3340

For another opinion on Viet Sub from I’m only here for food, click here.

Beard Papa’s is located at 548 Robson St., Vancouver, BC, Canada. (T) 604.568.0058

For other Beard Papa’s locations in the Greater Vancouver, click here.

Note: I’ve written about my Japan trip for a couple weeks now. Although I have yet to write about my Cheap Appetite missions in Thailand, it’s time I switch gear to Vancouver for a couple weeks. After all there are so many people including vitsitors here in town for the Olympics. I think it would be more useful to the majority of the readers this way. But no worries, I will write my Cheap Appetite missions in Thailand soon. Please stay Tune!

©2010 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats

Try my Cheap Appétit recipes

After finishing a wallet friendly breakfast at Yummy Sushi, I still wanted to hang out in the neighborhood. So I strolled toward Granville Island and spent my lazy afternoon there. Even with the cold breeze, it was a beautiful day. After a short walk around, I went straight to the Granville Island Public Market for some fresh produce and ended up sitting at one of the window seats on the north side watching the water traffic in False Creek. A few hours later, it was time to go home. On my way back, just a block west of Granville Island entrance, I came across a Japanese teahouse called Sawa. I needed a cup of hot tea to thaw myself from the frigid wind.

The front of Sawa was decorated with modern industrial flair – the walls were bare concrete. Yet somehow I felt like I stepped inside someone’s kitchen in Japan. The tea making equipment and cooking utensils were scattered on the kitchen counter and overflowed onto the kitchen island. The lived-in look made me feel at ease in the space. “It would be nice to hang out here for a while,” I thought to myself.

On the lower level inside the teahouse stood an octagonal table with a simulated fire pit in the center. Just above the pit hung an old Japanese kettle. This area brought back the memory of when I visited Japan a few years back. The space was dimly lit and cozy. However, I decided to sit in the front near the window so I could take better pictures.

Sawa has an extensive menu–over 30 varieties of hot teas, several hot coffees and cold drinks, a few ice cream flavors, and limited choices of Japanese dishes. But the one that most caught my eye was the ceremonial Matcha (green tea). Up until then, I only had seen them in a few documentaries and some shows on TV. The Japanese tea ceremony is quite an impressive ritual. Although I hesitated to physically go through all the ceremonial sequence, I really wanted to try the tea. At $4.20, the price was a bit steep for my taste. It was one of the most expensive items on the tea menu, but I took a deep breath and went for it. I also ordered a piece of Matcha Daifuku (90 cents) to eat with the tea thinking that it would round up the bill to $5. But I soon realized that I was dumber than a 5th grader. I was 10 cents over budget (tax not included). Dammit.

Shortly after, my ceremonial Matcha was served in a large Japanese bowl. Its vibrant color reminded me of green tea ice cream, one of my favorites. Much to my surprise, the tea was lukewarm instead of boiling hot. The intense flavor transported me to Japan in the blink of an eye. I visualized myself sitting on legs and knees over the tatami flooring in a traditional Japanese teahouse as the host prepared the ceremonial tea. After exchanging bows, I rotated the bowl to the opposite side before drinking. I wasn’t even sure why, but that’s how I remembered watching it on TV. Before long, I got yanked back to reality as the last drop of the amazing tea disappeared down my throat.

The sweet bean paste filling of Matcha Daifuku tasted too sweet. It overpowered the flavor of the tea. My post research revealed that sweets were normally served before the ceremonial tea, not with the tea. Duh.

I had more Matcha latte than I could count, (most of them were sponsored by Bill’s–my boss’–coffee card) but this was the first time I tried the original ceremonial Matcha, the way the green tea as it is meant to be served. It brought me to the place that no Matcha latte ever could. I was so into this experience, I wanted to know more. So I asked the owner if I could talk to her for a while. She happily obliged.

The owner’s name is Ruriko Shimomae. She told me that ceremonial Matcha was made from finely grounded green tea leaves. Unlike the infusion method, the powdered leaves were not removed from the tea, making for an intense flavor. Ceremonial Matcha is preferably served lukewarm at a sitting. It is the only tea in her store she refuses to serve in a to-go cup.

SAWA CEREMONIAL MATCHA: ©©© 3/4

SAWA MATCHA DAIFUKU: ©©©

Sawa Tea Lounge and Gallery is located at 1538 W 2nd Ave., Vancouver, BC, Canada. (T) 604.733.7900 (Website) sawatea.com

NOTE: Ruriko Shimomae was a textile artist when she lived in Japan. It was her dream to move to British Columbia, where her mother was born. She is very passionate about tea, and that’s why she opened Sawa as a tea lounge and gallery. Sawa tea products, though not organically certified by a Canadian organization, are recognized as such within the Japanese regulations.

©2009 Tana Kosiyabong and CheapAppetite.com™. All rights reserved.

Become fans on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Share your favorite cheap eats