Can’t make up your mind on what to eat? Combine a few global cuisines at the same time for a unique meal. Fusion food can be found on menus at a number of spots around the city; just make sure to go with your adventurous friends – no picky eaters allowed. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]
Hapa Izakaya is a growing chain in Vancouver that’s modeled after the izakaya bars in Japan, where businessmen often gather for snacks and sake on their way home from work. Inside the sleek interior of each Vancouver location, expect to find modern and unique Japanese tapas made with West Coast-style ingredients.
The Union has an original Southeast Asian-inspired food and drink menu that’s full of surprises. During the week they open at 5 pm, but a creative brunch menu is served on weekends. Regulars recommend the bao bun eggs Benny – tomato chutney, shiitake mushrooms and hollandaise on bao buns served with curried hash browns.
Bandidas serves West Coast-inspired vegetarian Mexican food. Even if you’re a meat lover, you should still give this Commercial Drive spot a chance – the creative flavour combinations are unexpectedly delicious, and the prices are cheap. Try the Ronnie Russell taco with roasted yams, pumpkin seeds, purple cabbage, guacamole, black beans and salsa.
Widely known as the place to go for Indian fusion fare, Vij’s is owned by celebrity chef Vikram Vij, whose menu always changes with the seasons. They do not take reservations, but make the waiting room a party in itself with drinks and appetizer tasters to prepare your appetite for what’s to come.
The Eatery in Kits is known in for having colourful and bizarre cartoon-influenced décor, and a massive menu of Japanese- and West Coast-influenced dishes. Their experimental sushi is infamous; try the Japanese Fortress (spicy tuna topped with yam fries) and the Beet It roll (beets, avocado tempura, yam and mango).
Green Lettuce serves Chinese food elevated with Indian-style spices, herbs and veggies. It’s hard to say if it leans more toward Chinese food or Indian, but the final verdict will always be that it’s delicious. You can try out their unique menu at their Vancouver or Surrey locations.
This New Westminster restaurant boasts a menu based on grandma’s Chinese cooking with a modern West Coast twist (though you’ll still find potstickers and kung pao chicken on offer). Wild Rice only serves certified Ocean Wise seafood and local hormone-free meat, and all the dishes are served to share “family style.”