Will Travel For Food

The best days are the ones spent savoring good food with the right company. If you find yourself in Seattle or anywhere in Washington, and you’re up for a gastronomic journey north of the border, I’ve got you covered. Here’s my tried-and-true blueprint for a delicious day!

Tips Before You Go:

1. Pack Smart:
   • Bring Ziplock bags for leftovers.
   • Stock up on hand wipes, wet wipes—basically, all the wipes!
   • Don’t forget grocery bags and an insulated cooler for the car.
2. Cash Matters:
   • Prebook a cash withdrawal from your bank. Many delightful places are cash-only, and time is precious when you’re on a day trip.
   • Gather passports and birth certificates for the little ones—we’re leaving early!
3. Plan Ahead:
   • If you’re eyeing specialty restaurants with tasting menus or those that are too popular for walk-ins, make reservations.
   • I’ll recommend a Dim Sum restaurant below that requires booking.
4. Vietnamese Fish Patties to Go:
   • Craving delicious fried and frozen Vietnamese Fish patties? Call Cha Ca Hoang Yen Deli a few days in advance. They supply the fishcakes for their restaurant from their deli store front. Limited quantities, so don’t miss out!
5. Strategize Your Route:
   • Are you staying in Richmond all day or venturing further north to Vancouver? With impatient kids, we’ve learned that sitting in the car from Vancouver to Seattle isn’t ideal. We prefer ending in Richmond for our last meal before heading back.
6. Border Crossing:
   • Keep an eye on border crossing wait times whenever you’re near the border.

Must-Eat List (Non-Negotiable!):

Feel free to skip the details and go straight to the list of places I recommend below at the end of this post!

1. Steamed Truffle Rice Rolls:
   • Head to Hei Hei Rice Rolls in Richmond Public Market. They’re open from 9 AM to 6 PM.
   • These rolls are Instagram-famous and worth the wait. Debit/credit payments accepted.
   • While you’re there, explore the local lunch/dinner scene. The hot deli food stalls offer amazing deals—especially the fried calamari. And don’t miss the bubble tea stalls or the filled bubble waffles downstairs from Hei Hei!
2. Yin Ji Chang Fen (cash only):
   • For a calmer, cleaner start to your day, visit this spot in Richmond.
   • Cash only, but the lines move quickly on weekends.
   • Try their classic Chinese breakfast items like congee, brisket egg noodles, and fried buns with condensed milk. A light and calm way to kickstart your food journey.
3. Fisherman’s Terrace Dim Sum:
   • Seattle’s dim sum is good, but Richmond takes it to another level.
   • Fisherman’s Terrace in Aberdeen Centre is a must-visit. Be adventurous with your dim sum choices!
   • Double-check your chicken feet order and don’t miss the fried chicken knees if available.
4. Explore Aberdeen Centre:
   • After indulging, take a stroll around Aberdeen Centre. It’s a fun mall to digest your food.
   • Check out the Japanese Daiso-like store on the opposite side of the mall—it’s always an adventure.
   • At the food court:
     • Fried Chicken Knees: Located right at the top of the escalators, this shop serves up crispy, flavorful chicken knees. A must-try!
     • Crazy 8 Juice/Boba Shop: Fresh Papaya smoothies await you here.
     • Fried Chicken Wings: Find them along the wall to the left of the escalators (I can’t recall the name, but trust me, they’re delicious).
5. The Deluxe Chinese Restaurant (RSVP Only):

• • Across the street from Aberdeen Centre, this hidden gem offers mind-blowing Dim Sum. Forget Yelp; local and non-local Chinese foodies swear by it.
  • Every dish feels like a masterpiece—steamed buns, tendons, siu mai, ha gow—order them all.
  • Parking can be tricky, but luckily, there’s a shopping center nearby.

6.   HK BBQ Master (Cash Only):

• • Quintessential Chinese BBQ awaits at HK BBQ Master.
  • Don’t bother figuring out their magic—just know what you want and order quickly.
  • Dine in or take out; either way, the flavors are exceptional.
  • Try their whole steamed chicken—it’s perfect for the next day

7.  Grocery Shopping:

• • Head to the grocery store in the same plaza/parking lot of HK BBQ Master if you’re already there (it looks a bit like a Costco sign).
  • Explore a mix of Canadian and Chinese goods:
    • Kinder Eggs: They still do them right—chocolate egg shell and all.
    • Unique Snacks: Ketchup chips, ‘All Dressed’ flavored treats, and refrigerated banh bao/steamed buns from local bakeries.

8.   T&T Grocery/Good Store:

• • Deli items and baked goods make great “souvenirs.”
  • Try the mango or durian mochi from the refrigerated deli section.
  • Swiss rolls are a hit, too.
  • Frozen packaged seafood is a steal, especially with the currency exchange.
  • Check out the Japanese/Korean skin and hair products

9. MACU Tea:

• • While there’s one around U Village, the Richmond location is where the magic happens.
  • Lines can be long, but trust me—it’s worth it.
  • Get the King of Mango drink—it’s magical and refreshing.

The Vancouver/Richmond area is a culinary haven, offering expertise in many different types of cuisines. While it’s renowned for its delectable Chinese cuisine, there’s more to explore such as their Indian and French cuisines which I hear are also quite remarkable. If you have any must eat spots in this area, I’d love to hear from you!

List of Recs:

1. Hei Hei Rice Rolls
2. Richmond Public Market
3. Cha Ca Hoang Yen Deli
4. Yin Ji Chang Fen
5. Fisherman’s Terrace
6. Aberdeen Centre
7. The Deluxe Chinese Restaurant
8. HK BBQ Master
9. T&T Supermarket
10. Macu Tea