Recap: Tasting Plates Coquitlam

Vancouver Foodster’s Tasting Plates took place in Coquitlam for the very first time! With the Evergreen extension of the Millennium SkyTrain line, it provides much convenience for everyone to explore the booming food scene of the city, especially the area near Coquitlam Centre and Lincoln Station.

Our first stop is at PappaRoti Coquitlam. Like other locations, Here they serve their signature treats such as the Coconut Rollie and the Coffee Caramel Coated Suger Bun. The lovely sugar bun reminds me of the pineapple bun that I grew up eating.  For beverages, I enjoyed a couple of their signature Karak Tea. Their signature ice blended chocolate and the freshly brewed JJ Bean coffee are also available for the tasting.

PappaRoti Coquitlam

1196 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
(604) 474-2867 or papparoti.ca

Next, we headed to Henderson Mall, a Chinese themed mall right across from Lincoln Station. One would compare it to Crystal Mall in Burnaby,  as there are many food vendors serving a wide range Asian inspired cuisines at the sizable food court spanning 2 levels.

We were getting a glimpse of authentic Korean street food from the latest food stall called Seoul over the counter xanax substitutes Truck Street Food.  An applause to the design of the stall because it was built looking just like a food truck.

Their menu brought me back to the streets of Myeong-dong, the smell of fried chicken and the sound of the sizzling grill.

Here they feature the Dak-Gang-Jeong, the Korean style popcorn chicken dressed in different sauces, with the option of serving in a K-town sandwich.  We tried the Red-Pepper St and the Garlic St editions. Loved the heat from the red chili pepper (gochujang), but rather preferred the big bold flavor form the garlic one. We also sampled the Ddeok-Ko-Chi, the deep fried Korean rice cake on skewers, one with gochujang and one with cheese.

They also serve Tong-Dak, the Korean Fried Chicken, and the K-Street Toast, the Korean version of a grilled cheese sandwich. Both worth a visit if I’m in the area again.

Seoul Truck Street Food

2082 1163 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
(604) 474-3511 or seoultruckstreetfood.ca

Filipino cuisine is next on our itinerary.  For 8 years in Coquitlam, Kulinarya was founded for Filipinos craving traditional food and to give the others the opportunity to sample the wide variety of dishes highlighting Pinoy techniques, and using local meats and vegetables.

At the cozy Filipino Cafe, we were served the traditional BBQ Pork on skewers, Lumping Shanghai (spring rolls) and some refreshing Rice Noodles served in a take-out container with crunchy touches of fresh vegetables and crushed peanuts.  The taste of the food on the tasting plate is very similar to Chinese food, but with a few exotic touches from Southeast Asia. I would like to come back to try the Filipino home-style cooking that they are known for.

Kulinarya also has recently opened a new location on Commercial Drive in Vancouver.

Kulinarya

2922 Glen Dr, Coquitlam
(778) 285-6577 or kulinarya.ca

Time for some Latin flavors. We ventured to Polito’s Latin Cafe, a spacious eatery offers dishes from Latin American countries. We had the Mini Pupusas, El Salvador’s favourite dish featuring handmade corn tortilla filled with specialty filling, and Paired with “curtido” cabbage slaw and savory tomato sauce, the Vigoron, a traditional Nicaraguan dish consisting of“curtido” cabbage slaw, yuca, and chicharrones, and the Patacones Tostones from Columbia, with a deep Fried plantain topped with assorted vegetables and seasoned meat.

They also offered some vibrant beverages to complement the food,  such as the creamy and hearty Horchata and refreshing Jamaica with the essence of hibiscus.

Polito’s Latin Cafe

942 Westwood St, Coquitlam
(604) 474-1744 or politoscafe.ca

We completed the tasting journey at  Marine Brewing, who presented us a taster flight of Northeast IPA, Golden IPA, Horizon Pale Ale and Night Sky Mocha Stout, giving us an idea of what they have been brewing for the locals. I have found the Night Sky Mocha Stout the most interesting with the taste of cold brew coffee.

Mariner Brewing

H-1100 Lansdowne Dr, Coquitlam
(604) 467-4160 or marinerbrewing.ca

It is always fun to explore a neighborhood that you are unfamiliar with and discovers new and exciting things, and Tasting Plates gives you exactly that. The next event will be Tasting Plates East Village on April 18.