Leisure

Japanese Light Cheesecake

Definitely not my first time at Leisure Tea and Coffee, but always a go to place for me. Owned by a Taiwanese family, they offer a variety of bubble tea, sandwiches, Taiwanese snacks, coffee and tea. I especially love the vintage and artsy environment and decor in the store. And don’t think that it is only a hangout place for teens and young adults because it seems to attract much of the older crowd as well. Here, I decided to try their Japanese Light Cheesecake. It is really fluffy but I guess it’s nothing too special. I would recommend trying their ice cream waffle and most of their drinks are also extremely good.

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Butter Chicken Poutine

Butter Chicken Poutine

I’m a big fan of poutine, and when I heard that New York Fries came up with a Butter Chicken Poutine, I got really excited! Butter chicken is already good, and now with poutine? I wondered what that tasted. Indeed, it was really fatty, but so delicious! A great twist to the normal poutines out there. I believe they also have a Braised Beef Poutine. Definitely go try these new poutines!

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JapaDog (Robson Store)

Love Meat

Kurogoma Age Ice & Matcha Age Ice

Got hungry in downtown and decided to get some famous Japadogs that I believe are only found in Vancouver! Instead of the street stands, my friends and I decided to head down to the store on Robson Street. They offer a different variety of japadogs, as well as shake fries and desserts that aren’t found at the street stands. You can also dine in or take out here, although the store is quite small. My friend chose the Love Meat and it looked real cheesy and delicious! Another friend decided to get the Kurogoma Age Ice, which is black sesame ice cream on a fried bun with sugar. It reminds me of the Chinese fried donuts in bakeries. I had the Matcha Age Ice and I also got a bag of shake fries, which unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of. The Age Ice is really filling, and a great dessert if you are craving some ice cream. Its cold in the inside and hot on the outside! Really good! I got the Shoyu Butter Shake Fries, but I found them too salty for my liking. Definitely go down to the Robson Store for some japadogs when you go downtown though! You can’t find most of these items on the menu of the street stands!

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Dot. Desserts

Matcha Parfait

Dots Desserts is a small shop near Oakridge mall. They offer a variety of parfaits, bubble teas, slushes and crepes. The matcha parfait contained green tea ice cream, red bean, corn flakes, cake, and whipped cream. The shop is extremely small though, so it’s best for a small group of friends. A great dessert shop overall!

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What8ver Cafe

Ice Cream Toast

I finally got a chance to try What8ever Cafe. Yes, such a weird name eh? This small bubble tea shop is located in Richmond, and when I say small, it really is SMALL. There are a total of 4 booths I believe, with two outdoor tables. Service is also extremely slow, so if you’re in a hurry, this is not the place to go. I hear they also have extremely long waits during late nights, but luckily, I got there early and had no wait. They have typical Taiwanese dishes and drinks, but they also have cream floats which aren’t found at most bubble tea shops. Definitely a must try! And of course, their famous ice cream toast! It’s basically a loaf of bread with the center block cut out. It is then cut into small sticks, and are like french toast sticks, that are put back in. It is finished with ice cream and topped with fresh strawberries, banana, Pocky sticks and an Oreo cookie. Delicious! Be sure to make reservations if you want a seat though!

Check out their site for the menu: http://www.what8ver.com/

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Bubble Queen

Mango Mochi Slush with Coconut Jelly

Strawberry Kit Kat Slush

If you live in Richmond, you know the list goes on for bubble tea spots, but this bubble tea store offers such unique drinks that it is a must try! Bubble Queen is located around the McKim Way and Garden City area. Some of the famous drinks they offer are the Ferrero Rocher Slush, Malteser Slush, Almond Roca Slush and the Lindt White Chocolate Slush! Yes. They turn all your favourite chocolate goodies into a bubble tea slush! They also pop a piece of your chocolate at the top of your drink to finish it off! They also have other bubble tea flavours if you like to stick with the originals and not go too fancy. Food is also available, such as their famous bubble waffles or what some people call “egg balls”. I have tried their Green Tea Mochi Bubble Waffle but unfortunately forgot to snap a picture. Guess I was too busy eating… Some other flavours are: Matcha Red Bean Bubble Waffle, Green Apple & Cinnamon Bubble Waffle, Strawberry & White-Choco-Chip Waffle, and Caramel Coffe & Toffee Chip. They also offer premium teas, chicken wings, thick toast and much more. Be sure to check it out, but I believe they close midnight latest! It’s also quite a small store, so perhaps take out? You will want to try all those different bubble teas for sure!

Check out their facebook page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=o.22229571779#!/group.php?gid=22229571779

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White Castle in NYC

Original Slider and Cheeseburger Slider

What are you craving? Are you craving what Harold and Kumar craved for? White Castle? That’s exactly what I was craving for when I knew I was going to New York and so I did a search to find where the closest one would be. Luckily it wasn’t too far from where I stayed, but when we got there in the morning, there really wasn’t anyone inside. Seemed a little shady, but I guess no one gets up for fast food that early? I actually had no idea what these little sandwiches really were. So they basically are square shaped sandwiches that are REALLY tiny. They’re also known as “sliders”. Each one was under $1 though, so I guess that’s the reason behind? Apparently, they make them so tiny so you can have several different flavours to try each meal. The original slider basically had nothing but a meat patty with onions and pickle. The cheeseburger had an extra slice of cheese. Their burgers also don’t have any condiments like ketchup. That’s apparently the way White Castle burgers are supposed to be like. I think they’re a great change from McDonald’s or Burger King, so why not give them a try if you see a White Castle? Hope you’re craving them as badly as Harold and Kumar!

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Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop in San Francisco

Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop at Haight Ashbury

Mmmm..all the flavours of ice cream!

Ben & Jerry’s Menu!

Freezer full of Ben & Jerry’s

My Waffle Cone! Chocolate Fudge Brownie & Cookies and Cream

If you ever have a chance to go to San Francisco, check out the area called Haight Ashbury! It’s really funky, and hippie-like, but that’s whats so interesting about it! It’s got tons of boutiques and restaurants, and of course one of their tourist attractions is the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop! The ice cream here is a bit pricey, I must say, but it is just so creamy and irresistible! They also have smoothies and sundaes that you can’t get in the freezer aisle in grocery stores!

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