Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

News stories from the Renfrew-Collingwood community in East Vancouver

Monthly Archives: December 2021


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Eating Out in RC: Zoom fatigue? Favourite lunch breaks away from the home office

BY JULIE CHENG

It’s been almost two years since I started working from home due to COVID safety measures. I miss the cycle commute to my downtown office, a good chat with my coworkers and all the usual lunch-hour eateries.

Now Zoom fatigue and work isolation are getting to me. For my mental health, I try to get some sun and exercise with a walk around the Renfrew Ravine. I also go out for a lunch treat once in a while.

These are my favourite restaurants within walking distance. In addition to delicious food, they have kind and friendly staff.

Kopitiam_Malaysia_Chicken_Curry_Laksa
Kopitiam Malaysia’s chicken curry laksa is a favourite lunch go-to while on a break from the home office. Photos by Julie Cheng
Kopitiam_Malaysia_Tofu
The Penang tofu at Kopitiam Malaysia is a family favourite.

Kopitiam Malaysia
3885 Rupert Street and East 23rd
604-566-9898
kopitiammalaysia.ca
The name of this Malaysian restaurant has changed (they are no longer part of the Penang Delight franchise), but the wonderful flavours of my favourites remain the same – chicken curry laksa, mee goreng and sambal green beans. Check out their weekday lunch special.

Kopitiam_Malaysia_Mee_Goreng
I love the sweet-and-sour flavours of the mee goreng from Kopitiam Malaysia.
Basil_Garden_Chicken_Pho
Basil Garden’s free-range chicken pho is a Vietnamese take on chicken noodle soup and just as comforting.
Basil_Garden_Spring_Roll_Pork_Vermicelli_Bowl
Basil Garden’s vermicelli bowl with pork skewers and spring rolls is packed with flavour.

Basil Garden
2889 East Broadway and Renfrew
604-871-9998
basilgarden.ca
The hike down and then up the hill to Basil Garden is well worth it for me. All their pho is wonderful. I discovered their free-range chicken pho to be just as flavourful – I ask for no skin as a healthier option. Also healthy are their vermicelli bowls and salad rolls. It gets busy at lunch so go early or late.

Basil_Garden_Salad_Rolls_Prawn_Tofu
Try Basil Garden’s healthy prawn or marinated tofu salad rolls with peanut sauce.

Dami Sushi and Korean Restaurant
3280 East 22nd Avenue and Rupert
604-431-8887
damisushikorean.ca
This restaurant has been going strong since opening in Renfrew-Collingwood in January 2021. I agree with Paul Reid, in his Taking out in RC review, that the pork in the Gamja-Tang hot pot “is of the melt-in-your-mouth variety” –  just like the bone broths my grandma used to make. My favourites are the bibimbap and japchae.

Dami_Sushi_Korean_Pork_Bone_Soup
The pork in Dami Sushi and Korean Restaurant’s Gamja-Tang hot pot melts in your mouth.

Kimu Japanese Cuisine
4441 Boundary Road and East 29th
604-563-0722
kimujapanesecuisine.com
Another bit of a hike from home, Kimu has long been a reliable lunch and dinner spot. In addition to delectable sushi, they have a good grill – I love their teriyaki meals. There’s even more reason to stop there now with Masala Meats next door.

Kimu_Japanese_Cuisine_Ramen
The ramen from Kimu Japanese Cuisine is sure to warm you up on a winter’s day.

iSushi
3883 Rupert Street
604-336-6553
isushi3883.wixsite.com/isushi
iSushi opened despite the pandemic and quickly pivoted to become a busy takeout spot. I like to dine in to enjoy the tea and the food fresh from the kitchen. You can choose from a variety of sushi and rice bowls to make your own lunch special, but I invariably order a healthy house salad and sashimi.

iSushi_Lunch_Special_Teriyaki_Bowl_Sushi_Udon
iSushi’s lunch special lets you choose from a variety of dishes.

Miss Siam Food Truck
Broadway Tech Centre (Renfrew and Hebb)
Check location and time at misssiam.ca or @streetfoodapp
facebook.com/MissSiamFood/
The Miss Siam food truck is my go-to for street Thai food in this neighbourhood. Usually found Mondays and Wednesdays at the Renfrew and Hebb, kitty corner to the Renfrew SkyTrain station, Miss Siam is well worth the trek down and up the hill. Read about their tasty offerings in this Eating Out review.

Miss Siam's pad Thai and green mango salad are weekly staples for many local workers.
Miss Siam’s pad Thai and green mango salad are weekly staples for many local workers.

Copyright 2022 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News


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December 2021 issue of RCC News is here

Many thanks to the writers, artists, photographers, advertisers and distributors who help our monthly newspaper bring the Renfrew-Collingwood community together. And, of course, thank you to our readers.

We are grateful to all of you for your ongoing support during this unusual and challenging COVID-19 year. Warmest wishes for a safe and healthy 2022.

― The RCC News team

Renfrew-Collingwood Community News December 2021 issue

View the new issue.

In this issue:

  • CNH youth programs support remote First Nations youth through the Ballantyne Project
  • 2400 Motel’s 75th anniversary puzzle kindles nostalgia at local organizations
  • The electric car by Robert F. Edwards
  • Collingwood Corner: Christmas 60 years ago
  • Christmas — One of our favourite times of the year by Vince Prasad
  • Learn to cook new foods at the CNH community kitchen
  • Read On! page for learners: Cold-weather comfort foods
  • A huge thank you to the contributors, advertisers and distributors of the RCC News

Do you have a local story to tell or an event to share? We’d love to hear about it! Email rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca.

The deadline for the January 2021 issue is December 10.

We welcome story submissions from 300 to 400 words long. Accompanying photos must be high resolution in a jpg file at least 1 MB large and include a photo caption and the name of the photographer.