Tag Archives: Asian Food

Edmonton Restaurant Review: iPho and Grill Vietnamese Cuisine

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#91 Special Combination 5 Vermicelli Bowl

I was really waffling on what to eat and where to go for dinner last month. Ultimately, I picked iPho and Grill Vietnamese Cuisine located along Calgary Trail at 6104 104 Street. We showed up right around six o’clock on a Saturday night without a reservation, and we didn’t have any problems getting a table. It was busy when we arrived though. A number of the tables were already occupied, including one with a large group of about ten people. It meant service was a tad slow, but thankfully, we weren’t in a rush to go anywhere else after. Despite the wait to order, the booth was comfortable and the space was new, clean and modern.

To drink, I ordered a Fresh Fruit Mango Bubble Tea ($4.45). Contrary to the name, the beverage doesn’t include any tapioca pearls in it for the base price, so you do have to add them for an extra cost ($0.75). I actually found that the mango tasted more artificially flavoured than fresh, but the consistency was smooth and there was a decent ratio of pearls to smoothie, so I didn’t run out of either before the other.

Fresh Fruit Mango Bubble Tea & Spring Rolls

As his starter, Kirk opted to go with an order of the Spring Rolls ($5.95). These rice paper wraps were freshly fried to a crunchy, thin, golden-brown and filled with a mix of ground meat, veggies, and vermicelli noodles. I didn’t eat any of his, but a couple of pieces came with my own food, and I thought that they were delicious. For the appetizer, they served the spring rolls with a side of fish sauce for dipping. Kirk wasn’t a fan of using it, but I think that the funky sweet, salty, and fishy taste married well to create a nice balance of flavours, amping up the spring roll ingredients.

Fish Sauce for the Vermicelli Bowl and Bean Sprouts and Basil for the Chicken Noodle Soup
SPICY Chicken Noodle Soup

Kirk’s main dish was the Specialty Chicken Noodle Soup ($10.95). He requested that they make it spicy for a dollar more. It would have been nice to try the broth before it was altered, just to see what it tasted like in a more pure form. All I can say is that the spicy version was HOT. The soup was piping temperature-wise, but the heat on the palate from the spice was even difficult for Kirk to handle. I had two spoonfuls of the broth and, while I enjoyed the flavour profile at first, it definitely kicked you in the throat at the end and the spice really lingered. Otherwise, I believe that the bowl could have used a little more of the chicken as there wasn’t a whole lot of meat, and the same goes for the noodles.

So much food in the #91 Vermicelli Bowl!

Whenever I go for Vietnamese, I usually turn to the vermicelli bowls and their Special Combination 5 (#91 on the menu; $15.45) didn’t disappoint. It had a well-portioned combination of noodles, bean sprouts, lettuce, cucumber, and carrot to form the base of the meal. It was topped off with copious amounts of grilled beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, and spring rolls. A small dish of fish sauce was provided to coat everything (I used all of it). The veggies were crisp and juicy, the noodles had a nice bite to them, and the meats were all prepared nicely. Occasionally, I find that the beef at other restaurants have a lot of tendon running through the pieces, making them chewier, but I didn’t have that issue here. The beef also had a distinct lemongrass flavour. The three meats were tender, and I was especially happy with the shrimp, which were surprisingly plump and perfectly seasoned. I devoured the whole bowl and went home very happy.

Once we were fully satiated, we head over to the counter to take care of our bill. I’m unsure whether or not they will take payment at the table, but we noticed a number of other patrons walking up to the till, so we did the same  thing. Overall, iPho and Grill was pretty good; however, if you aren’t certain that you can handle something truly spicy, you’ve been forewarned about their soups.

Edmonton Restaurant Review: Mai Vietnamese Fusion

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The exterior of Mai Vietnamese Fusion.

Had I not strolled by Mai Vietnamese Fusion along West Edmonton Mall’s Bourbon Street earlier this year, I never would have known of its existence. Intrigued, I searched for it online and found that the restaurant itself had no website or Facebook page. The only trace of it came through reviews left by patrons on Yelp and Zomato. Their only social media presence was on Instagram and even that hadn’t been updated since the summer of 2016.

Those reviews I’d seen weren’t very flattering either. Yet, a Groupon deal was all I needed to forgive any negatives and give Mai Vietnamese Fusion a try. I waited almost the full four months before I went to redeem that voucher on a Saturday night. When my boyfriend and I walked up to the host standing outside the front of the establishment, we indicated that we needed a table for two people. She seemed disorganized and asked us to wait while she ran inside to find an empty space (shouldn’t they have a seating chart at their disposal?). When she came back, we were told that there wasn’t anything available, but something would be ready within ten minutes or so.

The entrance into the restaurant.

As we waited, my eyes explored the room, and I have to say it was designed well. A giant Buddha greets patrons as they come in through the door. To the left hand side of the entrance is a whole wall of smaller figurines of the same in a variety of colours. On the main level, there are a couple of semi-private rooms for larger groups as well as some more intimate tables for couples. Up a few steps on the right hand side are a number of large velvet-lined booths overlooked by a handful of portrait paintings. Overall, the aesthetic was modern with just a touch of the traditional.

Condiments at the table along with fresh basil and bean sprouts.

Once we were seated, we reviewed the menu. Initially, I thought it was a bit expensive in comparison to other restaurants that serve the same type of food. However, I do understand that the cost of rent at WEM is much higher than it would be anywhere else, so I’m assuming that is reflected in their prices. Ultimately, my boyfriend opted for the large Pho with Steak ($15.70) and I went with the Grilled Beef & Spring Roll with Vermicelli ($16.20).

It didn’t take much time for them to prepare everything because, before we knew it, our bowls were brought out to us, along with a plate of fresh basil and bean sprouts. Then we went to work devouring it all.

Pho with Steak

The Pho with Steak was very generous in size. There were plenty of noodles in the bowl and enough steak that my boyfriend nearly failed to finish off the meat (unheard of). The soup wasn’t particularly hot, but it was warm enough. Fattiness was apparent in the broth with bubbles of oil at the top, yet it didn’t seem greasy when consumed. It was a nice, simple soup. I wish I could give a true sense of what it tasted like on its own though. Unfortunately, I only had some after my boyfriend added in a bunch Sriracha sauce to it. Arguably, that added a delightful heat that also elevated the flavour of the dish. Of course, I won’t know for sure how pure the soup is until I go back and try the pho again without that alteration. In any case, it was good enough for me to want to keep drinking the broth.

Grilled Beef & Spring Roll with Vermicelli

My portion of the Grilled Beef & Spring Roll with Vermicelli did not disappoint. Sure, it wasn’t as big as the pho, but it was all noodles, veggies and protein. I almost had a hard time stirring the components together for fear of anything jumping ship out of the side of the bowl. In the end, I managed to get the fish sauce mixed in well though. Again, they did not skimp on the noodles (as a cheap ingredient, they shouldn’t be). The ratio of vermicelli to beef was almost perfect. I especially enjoyed the meat as it was marinated really well; the lemongrass flavour definitely came through and there was a pleasant charring from the grill. The two spring rolls were deliciously crisp and filling, too.

Our only issue with the restaurant was the service. Each staff member that we encountered came across as friendly, and, as I mentioned before, our food was presented pretty quickly. Despite that, there was still a sense of mismanagement. With several people working that evening, two tables, including ours, never received our requested glasses of water. Both of us had to ask random employees for our drinks towards the end of our meals because we couldn’t find the person who was supposed to be our server.

Otherwise, it turned out to be a decent dinner out. I think I understand why the restaurant doesn’t necessarily have the greatest reviews out there. Nonetheless, if someone can see past possibly subpar service and they happen to be at West Edmonton Mall with a hankering for Vietnamese cuisine (and other Asian-style dishes), I would tell them to give Mai Vietnamese Fusion a chance.

Asian Adventures Photostream: Hong Kong & Singapore

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DSCF2621 - CopyWhat exactly does it mean to travel? Depending on the situation, travel can mean exploration, reconnection, growth, experience, relaxation or any number of things.

This past May, I spent three weeks in the city of Hong Kong with four and a half days in the middle touring the small island country of Singapore (it’s just 34 square kilometers bigger than Edmonton). Under any other circumstance, you would not find me traveling to Asia in the spring or summer. I typically find the kind of heat during that time of year – highs of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius including 80 to 90 per cent humidity – to be completely unbearable. However, in the name of family, I succumbed and flew with my parents to Hong Kong to celebrate my cousin’s wedding.

It’s unusual for me leave everything to others when I go on a trip, but I planned absolutely nothing. With all the family gatherings that would be taking place, I figured it would be pointless to get my heart set on anything specific, so I didn’t.

While we endured some flight delays, weather extremes and higher costs than expected, the holiday was still a success. A full three week break from my every day life was exactly what I needed. I visited with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and my little nieces. I got some new stamps in my passport (well, only in Singapore). I ate a ton of food. Too much food, really. I did end up doing some shopping, not just window. After all, eating and shopping are major pastimes in Hong Kong. You can’t expect to go and not do either of those things. That would be impossible. By the time the trip was over, I almost felt acclimated to the heat, too. One of the best things though? I finally had a chance to test out the Fujifilm X10 camera I bought a couple of years ago.

So, this post is going to be more like a pictorial journey of my vacation. There’s a lot of food porn. But, those of you who follow this blog would expect that. Otherwise, it’s a mix of everything that I saw or did during my time there. The majority of the photos were taken on my Fujifilm camera. There are also a few here from my HTC One M8 and my mom’s Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 (for those times when my camera battery died). I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Personalized cans of Coca Cola in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Observation Wheel across from the IFC
A view from inside IFC Mall – one of many shopping complexes in HK.
Sushi at sen-ryo
Sushi at sen-ryo
Sushi at sen-ryo
Sushi at sen-ryo
Look at all those plates for the sushi train!
Dessert at the agnès b. cafe
Dessert at the agnès b. cafe
Dessert at the agnès b. cafe
A store devoted to the beloved character, Totoro!
A gorgeous dress from Jessica
Lunch at a Zelo included this amazing smoked salmon from the salad bar
An interactive shoe exhibit inside Pacific Place
An interactive shoe exhibit inside Pacific Place
The department store windows of Harvey Nichols rivals what you’d find in NYC
The department store windows of Harvey Nichols rivals what you’d find in NYC
The department store windows of Harvey Nichols rivals what you’d find in NYC
The department store windows of Harvey Nichols rivals what you’d find in NYC
Green Tea Listerine was a change
Lounging over drinks and cheese with my cousin
Hanging out at Repulse Bay for dinner
Hanging out at Repulse Bay for dinner
Hanging out at Repulse Bay for dinner
Pad Thai from Spices
Masala lamb from Spices
A view of the Hong Kong skyline from my grandma’s condo
A tree spotted while waiting for the bus
Stan Cafe in Stanley Plaza
Stan Cafe in Stanley Plaza
Stan Cafe in Stanley Plaza
My dad
My dad
Cheese platter at Stan Cafe
The view of Stanley (Chek Chue) from the 5th floor of Stanley Plaza
The Lovers’ Terrace at Stanley Plaza
Notes on The Lovers’ Terrace at Stanley Plaza
Another view of Stanley from the main waterfront with Blake Pier
McDonald’s Black/White menu seems to be an Asian thing from what I’ve seen
Dressed up teens everywhere! It must have been graduation time.
Outside of a temple in Stanley Plaza
A woman praying outside of a temple in Stanley Plaza
The boats in the main street waterfront at Stanley
The main street waterfront in Stanley. It looks like there’s lots of trash in the water, but there are two really nice beaches – one on the east and one on the west side.
Painting name cards – common in the markets, but never gets old!
Painting name cards
Painting name cards
Traditional looking stamps at Stanley Market
Another view of Stanley
A view from Blake Pier in Stanley
My parents and their friends standing on Blake Pier
Lunch at Simplylife
Lunch at Simplylife
This was kind of random, but I’m pretty sure this is part of a pet store.
Trying to capture a serious photo of these movers, but that guy in the orange caught me!
Kee Wah Bakery’s delicious cakes and sweets
A view of Happy Valley from my aunt and uncle’s home
A quote from the walls of Greyhound Cafe…so true.
More pad Thai
A leather embosser at Log-On
The shoe samples I loved so much that I had pairs custom made for me!
Here’s the damage from GiGi Shoes.
Back at the Hong Kong International Airport to catch a flight to Singapore
Seen at the airport book store. Still haven’t bothered to read these, but I guess they’re too racy to keep unwrapped.
A child eagerly awaiting his flight
Watching our plane being unloaded and cleaned before boarding
I love seeing the view during takeoff!
I love seeing the view during takeoff!
Flowing raindrops from the moving art sculpture, Kinetic Rain, at the Singapore Changi Airport.
A cartoon sign telling people what not to do with the Kinetic Rain sculpture.
Sitting across from a man at the Changi Airport. I liked his shoes.
Heinz Chili Sauce is “Asia’s Hot Flavour”
I never tried these, and I’m sad about it.
Outside the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
A jogger runs along the promenade outside the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands – crazy man!
Din Tai Fung is everywhere, but always busy. They’re apparently famous for soup dumplings. One day!
Inside the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Lots of celebrity chef restaurants. Daniel Boulud was one of them. I know him from this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC4OqdZElX8.
Cut by Wolfgang Puck
An aerial view of the Gardens at the Bay from the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel
A beautiful tropical tree
The Marina Bay Sands hotel is famous for this rooftop pool
The tasting menu of Ku De Ta, located on the roof of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel
David Beckham is a spokesperson for Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Flowers outside of the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
A promenade outside of the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The serious sushi chef at HY California
Bento box at HY California
A lotus pond outside of the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The Singapore Flyer
A reflection of the ArtScience Museum in Singapore
A view of Marina Bay Sands Hotel from outside the Shoppes
A bridge and the Singapore Flyer
Metal in Singapore
Another promenade outside the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. This one’s near the top floor.
Trees with giant pods
The Gardens by the Bay
The Singapore Flyer and the Gardens by the Bay
Tropical trees at Gardens by the Bay
Tropical trees at Gardens by the Bay
Tropical trees at Gardens by the Bay
Tropical trees at Gardens by the Bay
The Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay!
Is this a baby pigeon? It kind of looks like one, but I might be wrong. If not, has one ever seen a baby pigeon?
Leaving the Supertree Grove to head into the domes at Gardens by the Bay.
Inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Inside the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay
Inside the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay
Lego plants!
Heading back towards Marina Bay Sands after our trek through the Gardens at the Bay.
The Supertree Grove at night
The Supertree Grove at night
Singapore’s Chinatown
Apparently this Rucksack hostel is a really good place to stay in Singapore
Apparently this Rucksack hostel is a really good place to stay in Singapore
Souvenirs at the market in Singapore’s Chinatown. That cutout near the bottom looks like me!
Restaurants and street food vendors in Singapore’s Chinatown
The market in Singapore’s Chinatown
The market in Singapore’s Chinatown and the temple next door
Outside the temple in Singapore’s Chinatown
Outside the temple in Singapore’s Chinatown
Outside the temple in Singapore’s Chinatown
Decorations outside the temple in Singapore’s Chinatown
Walking from Chinatown to Clarke Quay
I don’t remember what this restaurant was, but it’s apparently a must try.
Some of the buildings in Singapore are quite unique. I’m pretty sure that Park Royal is a hotel.
Locks of Love are everywhere!
Locks of Love are everywhere!
Locks of Love are everywhere!
Clarke Quay in Singapore
Clarke Quay in Singapore
Lunch at Swissbake
A temple in Singapore’s Little India
Snacks at Honeymoon Dessert
Snacks at Honeymoon Dessert
Honeymoon Dessert in Singapore (better than in HK)
Art inside ION Orchard mall in Singapore
Art outside ION Orchard mall in Singapore
ION Orchard mall in Singapore
The start/finish line for a run at the SEA Games Singapore 2015
Singapore’s first sustainable urban farming project
Walking around the grounds of the Singapore Flyer
A view from underneath the Singapore Flyer
Fish pedicures in a spa at the Singapore Flyer
The bus driving up to Sentosa, an island resort in Singapore
We saw a Chili’s and it was Wednesday BOGO free drinks, but, man, they were expensive! More than double what it costs at home (their dollar is pretty much equal to the Canadian dollar).
On the grounds of Resorts World Sentosa
A fun version of Singapore’s mascot, the Merlion.
Ships displayed outside the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa. This little guy was playful.
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa. Dori!
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa. This one looks scary.
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Fish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa. Nemo!
The hilariously playful divers inside the giant tank at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa.
Jellyfish at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
An octopus at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa. Someone behind me used flash and scared him.
A happy sting ray at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
A leafy seadragon at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
A seahorse at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Seahorse with intertwined tails at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa
Back in the main area of Singapore
Dinner at Thai Express. This soft shell crab was amazing!
Sticky rice with mango from Thai Express.
The Singapore skyline.
A picture of a guy taking pictures.
The Singapore skyline as it gets darker
The merlion spouting water over the waterfront
More merlions
A night view of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Shoppes and ArtScience Museum before their (sort of sad) light show started.
Another night view of the Singapore skyline.
One of the bridges near the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore
Good quote at this bakery
Back in Hong Kong at another meal with several courses. These were just the appetizers.
At my cousin’s hair ceremony. This takes place the night before one’s wedding.
At my cousin’s hair ceremony. This takes place the night before one’s wedding.
At my cousin’s hair ceremony. This takes place the night before one’s wedding.
A pretty tea set
A pretty tea set
My cousin’s traditional outfit worn for the tea ceremony the morning of her wedding.
My uncle’s Picasso
All ready for the tea ceremony to start
My nieces
The bridesmaids waiting around
Games for the groom and his men
A good luck charm
The tea ceremony is underway!
Ready for the wedding!
High tea at Mango Tree
Thai style high tea
Thai style high tea – desserts
Thai style high tea – salads
Thai style high tea – meat
I want to say this was the Valentino window display at Elements
Shoes at Titikaka in the Olympian City mall
Shoes at Titikaka in the Olympian City mall
A view of Hong Kong from The Peak
Pastries at Simplylife
More Honeymoon Dessert in Hong Kong
More Honeymoon Dessert in Hong Kong – Strawberry Sago
Jewelry at the Homeless store inside the Eslite bookstore in Hysan Place
Midday sushi snack at Shiro in Hysan Place
Midday sushi snack at Shiro in Hysan Place
Shiro is known for their Crystal Sushi, which incorporates flavoured jellies with the sushi
Midday sushi snack at Shiro in Hysan Place
The sushi chef creating a combination plate
Midday sushi snack at Shiro in Hysan Place. Our stack of plates isn’t that bad!
Shiro in Hysan Place
Just arrived at Hong Kong Disneyland
At painted wall inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
A chandelier inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. Look closely to find a surprise!
Do I feel like a princess yet?
A child’s balloon in the halls of the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
The grounds outside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
Dim sum at the Crystal Lotus restaurant inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
Dim sum at the Crystal Lotus restaurant inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
Who knew about Mickey Mouse’s teddy bear?
The grounds outside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
The grounds outside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
The grounds outside Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. This makes up the lack of a photo of the real Hollywood sign when I was in L.A. this February.
A bird
A white butterfly
Mickey, Mickey, Mickey
Hong Kong Disneyland
Mickey riding the waves of a whale’s water spout
Thanks for visiting Hong Kong Disneyland!
Children playing with their Disney balloons
A handle on the train that takes you to and from Hong Kong Disneyland
A digital menu at Itacho Sushi.
Rolls at Itacho Sushi
Assorted sashimi at Itacho Sushi
Dinner at the Racing Club. Tasting menu by Chef Shaun Anthony.
Dinner at the Racing Club. Tasting menu by Chef Shaun Anthony.
Dinner at the Racing Club. Tasting menu by Chef Shaun Anthony.
Dinner at the Racing Club. Tasting menu by Chef Shaun Anthony.
Dinner at the Racing Club. Tasting menu by Chef Shaun Anthony.
Dinner at the Racing Club. Tasting menu by Chef Shaun Anthony.
Yupi candies!! Thanks to my uncle, I came back with a suitcase full of gummy worms and berries.
Our last dinner in Hong Kong, courtesy of my cousin Kelvin and his wife Kelly.
Our last dinner in Hong Kong, courtesy of my cousin Kelvin and his wife Kelly.
A pool of oil on a plate while having family lunch at the Jockey Club. Go figure. It looks like a horse head.
Lunch at the Jockey Club

Edmonton Restaurant Review: 97 Hot Pot

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Boiling our pots of soup at 97 Hot Pot.

Boiling our pots of soup at 97 Hot Pot.

As a Chinese girl who was born and raised in Edmonton by my parents, far away from the rest of our immediate family, we would eat Chinese food when I was growing up, but I much preferred things like pizza, pasta and the like over traditional Asian fare. I’d happily go to Chinatown to eat sweets like pineapple buns, and, of course, to shop for all things Sailormoon. That was pretty much the extent of it.

It has always been that way for me. If I ever had the option to have anything other than Chinese food, I’d take it. Yet, that mentality has changed over the years. By all accounts, Chinese cuisine still isn’t my favourite; however, I do love a good Peking duck, or freshly made shumai and cocktail buns at what I like to call “Asian brunch” as we usually partake in dim sum late in the morning and on the weekend.

So, now that I’m older and more willing to try everything, when my parents suggested going for a hot pot lunch on a chilly December day, I thought I had better give it a go. I really should refrain from being picky nowadays.

Raw chicken and pork slices, bean curd, dumplings and sauce.

Raw chicken and pork slices, bean curd, dumplings and sauce.

Years since I had had that type of meal – essentially you get boiling hot soup and you cook raw veggies and meat at the table yourself (it actually sounds a lot like The Melting Pot from what I’ve been told) – I figured it was time to open myself up to my heritage. After all, hot pot is the Chinese equivalent of bringing family together.

We ended up at 97 Hot Pot, a somewhat newer establishment in the heart of Chinatown. The location used to be home to a small grocery store, but has been renovated into a spacious, bright and clean restaurant. Tables have individual hot pot plates built into them, so each diner can pick a soup base of their choice. The temperature settings of the heating plates can be changed (on a scale from 1 to 3), allowing patrons to adjust them as needed.

The interior of 97 Hot Pot.

The interior of 97 Hot Pot.

They offer an all-you-can-eat option at 97 Hot Pot, but the lunch menu is more than enough for each person. At around $13 each, there’s plenty of food to ensure you don’t leave hungry. Using the paper menus, we checked off what we wanted, which includes one type of broth along with five entree items. All of us selected different things, but I went with the Szechuan Spicy Chicken soup, sliced sirloin beef, pork wontons, pork & vegetable dumplings, beef balls and vermicelli noodles. Another bowl of fresh veggies (lettuce, tomato, corn on the cob, enoki mushrooms, white button mushrooms and broccoli is provided as part of the price.

My Szechuan Spicy Chicken soup before it started to heat up.
A bowl of vermicelli noodles along with sliced sirloin beef, dumplings, wontons and beef balls.

First off, let me say that the Szechuan Spicy Chicken soup is SPICY! I love food with a good amount of heat, but, for me, this was more than I expected. On the one hand, I didn’t have to use any additional sauces to flavour my soup and food. On the other, it was spicy enough to take away some of my ability to taste anything else. This soup is made with a number of ingredients, many of which I couldn’t quite pick out, but can be seen in the pot. One flavour in particular was hard for me to pinpoint, but I’m sure it came from some sort of re-hydrated veggie or bean, which is often used in Asian soup bases, and not one I’m that fond of. Nevertheless, it was still yummy, and, if you have a penchant for extremely spicy food, this might be for you.

I liked that they didn’t skimp on the extra bowl of vegetables because it could be a meal in itself. Regardless, I’m glad to have the additional entree items. The sirloin beef slices were fresh, the beef balls had a nice spring to them once cooked, the dumplings were plump and juicy, and the vermicelli, which soaked up just the right amount of flavour from the soup, helped to fill my belly. The only misstep of my meal was the tiny wontons. Although several were provided and they were tasty, they were much smaller than regular wontons that are to be had anywhere else. Also, if I had a do over of my lunch, I would maybe have gone with the rice noodles instead. Thick, clear and kind of gelatin looking, I sampled one from my mom’s plate, and they were delicious.

My mom's selection of rice noodles, sliced sirloin beef, shrimp, squid and fish.

My mom’s selection of rice noodles, sliced sirloin beef, shrimp, squid and fish.

With regards to the service, it was busy that day and they don’t have many people on staff, so I would say that they could improve in that aspect. Both my mom and I still had some food to cook, but our soup had boiled down until there was very little left in the pot and you could smell a bit of the food burning. We had to wave a staff member down to get them to add water to our pots before we could continue with our meal.

All-in-all, I enjoyed the food and the outing. It’s a fun, communal type of meal that is as traditional Chinese as one can get.

Edmonton Restaurant Review: Wild Tangerine (CLOSED)

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The restaurant's tag line.

The restaurant’s tag line.

I had been to Wild Tangerine (@goWildTangerine) years ago, visiting after hearing many excellent reviews. While the experience at the time was great, for some reason, even though I kept telling myself to go back, I never did. Fast forward to the beginning of this month and I came across a Twitter post or perhaps a quick news snippet announcing the impending closure of the restaurant on June 21. I was shocked to hear that such a successful and loved establishment was deciding to shutter their business after 10 years, especially when siblings Judy and Wilson Wu’s passion for food has continued to shine so brightly (voted by readers into the No. 19 spot on The Tomato‘s list of 100 best eats and drinks in Edmonton in 2014 and No. 22 in 2013).

So, upon learning of the countdown to the restaurant’s final day, I immediately texted my friend and asked if she wanted to join me there for supper the following week. When she agreed that we should definitely make a point of going before it was too late, I reserved us a table and we were off to the races.

The interior of Wild Tangerine

The interior of Wild Tangerine

Walking into the brightly lit and colourful space, it hadn’t changed much since my first meal there, but I could see that everything was well taken care of and had been kept in great condition. We were seated at a booth by the windows at the front, giving me a view of the entire room. Arriving a little before the dinner hour, there were only a handful of other occupied tables. However, as we dined, the restaurant was eventually filled to capacity with patrons both showing their love and wanting to indulge in one last meal that usually consisted of at least one order of their known shrimp lollipops.

Enticing as that appetizer sounded, my friend decided to go with Chef Judy’s famous Thai Green Curry with Prawns & Tortiglioni minus the seafood as she is allergic, making it a vegetarian dish. I opted to go with the Cha-Siu Organic Pembina Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Tangerine Glaze as well as a side of Gnocchi with Coconut Cream. What I love about their food is that they always serve everything with fresh seasonal vegetables, so you know you’re getting the best that producers have to offer and that the meat products are one hundred percent Alberta grain or vegetable fed in addition to being antibiotic and growth stimulant free.

My order of pork tenderloin and gnocchi with coconut cream.

My order of pork tenderloin and gnocchi with coconut cream.

I tasted a bit of my friend’s Thai Green Curry dish and the flavours were fantastic. It wasn’t overly spicy and was filled to the brim with green beans, zucchini, red peppers and eggplant. And, as we found out at the end of our supper, they were really fair in that they lowered the cost of my friend’s meal since she had asked for no prawns. They could have charged the regular price of the dish without resistance from us, but they went ahead and altered the cost in a way that was pleasantly surprising. It showed me that this is an independent business that really knows how to take care of their customers.

The Pork Tenderloin that I ordered was very good, too. The meat was, well, tender. Pork is often easily overcooked, but it was perfection here. The tangerine glaze was a nice balance to the saltiness of meat and the bok choy was another little nod to their Asian roots. Paired with the coconut cream covered gnocchi, I was easily satisfied. Of course, I still saved room for dessert, and, am I ever glad that I did!

The warm gingered bread pudding with black sesame ice cream. To die for!

The warm gingered bread pudding with black sesame ice cream. To die for!

When Wilson brought the dessert menu over to the table he made a quick disclaimer about the warm gingered bread pudding, saying they were now out of the typical banana ice cream and that they had replaced the usual with a black sesame seed version instead. That really didn’t matter to me. I was sold as soon as I saw bread pudding there and, truth be told, I love black sesame, so that is indeed what I went with. When the plate was placed on our table, it looked almost too good to eat. The ice cream was in this perfect little cube next to a round cylinder of the bread pudding that was encrusted with a thin layer of torched sugar like a crème brûlée. It was served with a side of blueberries and small cubes of watermelon. The whole dish was wonderful and really the best cap to my meal. The slightly gritty texture of the ice cream was a great compliment to the smoothness of the bread pudding and the fruit provided an excellent palate cleanser.

I would say that I can’t wait to go back again, but, alas, that is not to be the case this time around. Now, it’s more like I’m kicking myself for not having gone more often in the past. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way either. I overheard a table of ladies tell Wilson that they were sad to see the restaurant go, and although Wilson appreciated the sentiment, he wasn’t down about the idea, telling them it was just time for them to move on.

My friend’s order of Judy’s Thai Green Curry with Tortiglioni.
The dessert menu…everything sounded so good!
The beverage I paired with my meal.
The restaurant’s logo on the cover of their menu.

The good news is that Wild Tangerine will still remain in some form after June 21. Judy and Wilson will continue to manage their prepared foods business part-time, serving up items such as soups, snacks and bagged cuisine meals at the new Mother’s Market, a downtown farmers’ market that is located indoors and open year round on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 102 Avenue and 109 Street.

With that, I wish the Wild Tangerine a fond farewell. It will truly be missed by Edmonton foodies. However, the show must go on, and I give three cheers to Judy and Wilson as they take their next steps! All the best!