Contributor: Fernando Medrano
Fernando Medrano is a tech entrepreneur with an avocational interest in the intersections between food, culture, urbanism, and technology. In his spare time, you will likely find him exploring the city in search of curiosities, adding to his global collection of condiments, and eating at little known holes-in-the-wall. He is too modest to admit that he may have elevated “chopstick close-up” photography into an artform. You can find him on Instagram @fmedeats where he explores food and culture. Follow and say hi.
Richmond’s Mr. Fish Man Wants to Fill Your Belly and Numb Your Face
Scout's "Never Heard of It" series continues with some delicious explorations at a Golden Village hotspot.
Curious About the Delicious World of Filipino Fried Chicken? Here’s a Great Place to Start…
Fernando Medrano continues the "Never Heard Of It" series with a dive into the deliciousness of Win Win Chick-N in Steveston Village.
Digging North Vietnamese Deliciousness at East Van’s New ‘Hanoi Old Quarter’
The new restaurant on Victoria Drive comes to us from Rose Nguyen and Hong Duong, the duo behind the award-winning Mr. Red Cafe.
Finding Deliciousness Next to a Sex Shop and Under a Confusing Awning
Though it might not be the easiest restaurant to find, the unassuming Chong Qing Xiao Mian on Kingsway is definitely worth looking for.
Every Adventurous Eater Should Seek Out This Gem Hidden in a Light Industrial Park
Lamajoun, an Armenian/Georgian cafe in the nondescript wilds of Richmond, is so much more than it outwardly appears.
Uncommon Deliciousness From Central Vietnam Can Be Had at This East Van Joint
Fernando Medrano eats his way through Hue exemplars at Hoi An Cafe on Victoria Drive for our "Never Heard of It" series.
One of the Best Chinese Restaurants in Metro Vancouver Has Just Seven Tables
Chef Yiutong Leung cooked in a number of private kitchens in Hong Kong, most notably the one inside the Stock Exchange.
The Reincarnated Pizzeria of Legend Every Vancouverite Should Try Once
Did's Pizza was once upon a time the late night cheap food of choice for many in this city. Then life intervened, both for him and for us.
Feasting on the Exotic Silk Road Food and Hospitality of the Uyghurs on Kingsway
Efendi Uyghur is a small, welcoming and wonderfully delicious exemplar of a cuisine we wish we had a lot more of in Vancouver.
Tucking Into Old School Taiwanese-Sichuan Cuisine at Kalvin’s in East Van
In his latest "Never Heard Of It" piece, Fernando Medrano gives us a history lesson on why the food at this institution is so delicious.
Feasting on Ghanian Delights at Whalley’s ‘Taste of Africa’
The tiny strip mall eatery packs a big flavour punch, offering a variety of authentic, delicious West African dishes at affordable prices.
Feasting on pre-Hong Kong Handover Chinese Food on Fraser Street
Eating the same dishes Chinese-Canadians commonly enjoyed in Vancouver long before the British relinquished sovereignty of Hong Kong.
The Old School European Restaurant That Will Hopefully Never Change
The service here is old-school: attentive, unobtrusive and professional, and no one gives a shit about how your first few bites taste.
In a Richmond Strip Mall, Seeking Out “Explosion Pulp Chicken”
Fernando Medrano takes the "Never Heard of It" column on a mission to satisfy some genuine curiosity.
The Awesome Chinese BBQ Joint Hidden in an Underground Parking Lot
Some of the best Chinese BBQ in Canada is made at the rightly-named HK BBQ Master under the Superstore in Richmond.
Feast on a Filipino Speciality at New West’s Cheap and Cheerful Hideaway, ‘Epic Grill Silogs’
Fernando Medrano takes us to an outwardly unassuming Filipino eatery where the speciality comes in many delicious guises.
Never Heard of Yaas Grill House? Here’s Why You Should Check It Out
The delicious amalgam that is Persian cuisine is affordably represented at this unassuming North Shore eatery.
Vancouver Would Be Cooler If It Had More Public Bake Ovens
Toronto has more than a dozen public bake ovens but Vancouver has just the one. What do we have to do to get more?
East Van’s Little ‘Joojak’ Makes the Awesome Xi’an Burger You’ve Been Waiting For
Joojak's hearty, complex and aromatic Xi'an dishes might just help you through Vancouver's long descent into the wet of winter.
Lining Up for the Delicious Funk of Richmond’s ‘Too Two Sauerkraut Fish’
The “Sauerkraut” is their special housemade pickled mustard greens. These lend the fish soup its characteristic funk and tartness.
Cleaning Up A Filipino ‘Boodle Fight’ Out At Surrey’s Grandt Kitchen
Just when you thought they were done and it was time to eat, they bring out one more dish.
The Delicate Shroom & Pork Crepes At Kingsway’s ‘Thanh Xuan Cafe’
I’m always on the look-out for these little shops that specialize in one amazing thing, and this is one of my all-time favourite finds.
Making Short Work Of ‘Grilled Fish’ At Li’s China Grill In Collingwood
Order a few appetizers, some beer and some dried plum juice (the kind you order with hot pot); some skewers (“chuan’r”) and finally one or two orders of grilled fish.
Loving Smoked Meat & Poutine At Estrella’s Montreal Deli In Langley
Pair it with a Cherry Coke, Montreal-made kosher pickles and one of their very good poutines (made with Fraser Valley cheese curds) for complete the authenticity picture.
The Fried Chicken And ‘Pho Ga Don’ Combo At My Chau On Kingsway
I tend to believe that this eatery and many others like it could only work in such a setting. With apologies to the great urbanist Jane Jacobs: “good food needs old buildings”.
Exploring The Goodness Of Guizhou At Collingwood’s ‘Yummy Mammy’
The eatery is run by gregarious chef-owner Lisa Yu. If prodded, she'll give you a lesson in the basics of Guizhou cuisine. (You can even ask her to make you her favourite dish which is not on the menu - pickled chicken gizzards - but you’ll have to pre-order it.)
Surrey’s Street Food-Inspired ‘Apna Chaat House’ Is Strip Mall Gold
The menu is extensive. Try not to be intimidated. Even if you are with a group, it will be tough to make a significant dent. Place your order at the front, take the plastic number card and sit at a table.
