604: Kosoo Korean Restaurant

As you guys can probably tell, I've been staying away from the Bahn Mis and Sandwiches with the weather changing lately. I've been craving a lot of rice and all sorts of hot comfort food. Today I had the opportunity to enjoy a Korean cuisine at Kosoo. The fried egg with the pork belly, the rice, and the mild heat from the kimchi are just what I need in this cold. Thank you for the invite, Kosoo!

I know Korean foods are generally extremely spicy. When I say extremely, don't take it lightly. I remember having my first ever Ddeokbokki (Korean spicy rice cakes) in a Korean town in Dallas, and I almost had to dunk my whole head into a bucket of ice water. I was in so much pain from the heat that I started tearing, my nose got runny, and my ears hurt from it. I thought my ears were bleeding at one point. It was NOT enjoyable AT ALL. It felt like I was committing a taste bud suicide.

The spiciness here at Kosoo are reasonable and would be suitable for those who don't enjoy the heat, but probably would not satisfy the spicy lovers. I'm probably some where in the middle.

By the way, their lunch set is a steal! $18 per person for a lunch course. For what we've ordered, the beef Gimbap and Jin-Mae-Chae Gimbap were fully loaded with their stuffing. All you boys who are all about quantity will love this place as they are extremely generous with their portions. Just look at the meat ratio in the Gimbap!

My only suggestion is that the pork bellies in the Deobap needs a little bit more braising time to yield the melt-in-your-mouth-texture. But if you are on a diet like me, this is actually perfect as it's less fatty.

Now they have two locations for Kosoo and I was at the Cardero location. Judging from their website, it seems like the second location at Robson has a completely different menu, where they serve Fried chicken and Korean BBQ.

Location: Cardero & Robson

Cardero Menu: Here

Instagram: Here

604: Pho An Nam - Richmond

This is one of my favourite place for Pho in Vancouver. I've been supporting them from their old location on Granville Avenue since 2011. They were forced to relocate because of redevelopment in that little tiny strip mall on Granville Avenue, and I had followed them to their new location on No. 3 Road since their relocation. Their restaurant is currently tucked in in the little strip mall where IHOP, Wo Fung and John 3:16 are also located. Parking can be a bit tense there btw.

Back then their pricing was quite competitive, but since covid the prices have really soar. I remember paying $13 for a meal combo and it included a bowl of pho, a spring roll and a drink. Now the combo is $16, and the increase happened just overnight! The Bahn Mi combo was $8.50 back then and now just a Bahn mi itself costs $8. It seems like most restaurants just spiked their prices by 25% since COVID.

Their spring rolls are a must order and their Spicy Beef and Pork with thick vermicelli soup comforts your soul in the cold weather. The spicy noodle is very addicting! These are the recommendations but if you want a review of their Bahn Mi, feel free to take a read of this article here.

Price: $8 per sub // $11.50 - $14 per Pho bowl

Taste:

Sub: 3.3 / 5

Pho: 4.7 / 5

Rice: 4.0 / 5

Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price Performance ratio:

Sub: 2.6 / 5

Pho: 3.2 / 5

Rice: 3.4 /5

Location: Here

Menu:

Joyee on a Banh Mi Hunt - Pho An Nam

I went to my favourite pho place today to grab a Banh Mi. I was thinking that the majority of the food I order there are pretty legit so the subs can’t be that bad. That’s a good assumption.

For $8 per sub, which is above market pricing, I expected more from them. My ‘only’ suggestions for them is to add more cold cuts, more butter, more vinegar and sugar in the pickled vegetables, and more pate in the cold cut sub (just look at that sad picture of the spread... how skimpy is that?...)... As for the grill chicken sub, I’d suggest adding more lemon grass, more marinade, more mayo, more chicken and same thing with the vegetables. Other than that it’s pretty good. Lol.

I didn’t feel very full after eating the whole sub though. It’s the same feels with Banh Mi Saigon BUT I’d say their subs are still better than Saigon!

On the side note, their hot food is great! Their vermicelli special is my favourite, and their spring rolls are the bomb. For the full review for Pho An Nam, click here.

Price: $8 per sub

Taste: 3.3 / 5

Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price Performance ratio: 2.6 / 5

Location: Here