[Some of you might think I am darn bored for posting another "commentary". Well, no, this was something I had queued for some time... If it is boring, I apologize for that.]
I have previously express my dislike to go to a mall food court to get something to eat. To me, it is generic food, without any redeeming qualities, other than it is fast (sometimes not even). However, I do make exceptions in a Chinese mall (or similar oriental malls; using “Chinese” here as most Oriental ones found in Vancouver are Chinese). While these food courts are a far cry from a hawker centre, at least I find them more attractive that the generic food found in other malls (though I am not necessarily implying all stands in Oriental ones are good).
The easiest way to describe it would be with pictures, right? OK, here it goes: A couple of weeks ago, during the “big” snow storms hitting Vancouver, I was in Metrotown when hunger stroke. I had Lao Shan Dong as an option but I was there in the previous days so I wanted something different. Restaurants in the mall itself was packed full and, of course, I did not want to go to the food court, despite there were some “decent” options. I chose to brace the snow (ha!) and went to the mall next to it, Crystal Mall. Despite being a small food court, I found more interesting options and settled for this:
For $7 (taxes not yet included), I got this plate of BBQ duck and pork on rice plus tea. Price-wise, this won’t be far from a combo in MickeyD’s or DQ or BK. And they don’t have to make claims like “100% beef”!
Does that mean I don’t ever go to a fast food restaurant? Well… No. While I think I unconsciously try not to, sometimes I do end up going once in a while. However, I blame this because of the lack of dining options in Vancouver after certain hours of the night. In fact, a dozen or so nights ago, after 10:00 p.m., I stopped by Wendy’s to grab something to eat and got this:
A small chilli with this burger:
A grilled chicken burger. At least, it was a whole chicken breast rather than “mechanically separated meat”! Was it good? Well, let’s say it was not bad and managed to fill up my stomach. Otherwise, at almost the same price, I wished I could have had the BBQ duck and pork above… (Of course, I am biased here, what can I say!).
So, questions here:
- Do you go to food courts? If so, any food preference?
- Out of the two dishes above, which one would you order?
- Do you have a favourite late night restaurant? If so, which one?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
My comments refer to London places, and can’t give much comment on Canadian food courts! There was an Oriental City food court in London, now closed, which was a huge square with lots of stalls. There was even a supermarket for groceries, and other shops selling little things. That was the only Oriental style food court I’ve been to here, not sure if there are any others similar to it.
Hi monchichi,
Thanks for your feedback from the UK. Now, let me ask you: assuming you have had some fare from the food court, how would you compare it to the fare you can find in other non-Asian food courts? Better? Worse? It would be interesting to see if my wacky perception applies in other places!
Hi KimHo
I dont particularly like foodcourt food, but I do love the food from aberdeen centre in Richmond. I dont know any of the restaurants by name but I LOVE the HK milk tea from the place that have very famous deep fried chicken wings; plus at $1.50 it’s cheaper (and better) than most restaurants.
I’ve also had baked spaguetti and chicken and pork chop on rice from a restaurant on the opposite side of the chicken wings place (forgot the name), both very good, and while I like the fact that their meals come with milk tea/ice tea/soup, I always get my own from the above mentioned chicken wings place
as for late night cravings…I dont eat out much late at nigh. I usually order some type of pasta/bbq chicken/ribs from Gigi’s (delivery). It’s an italian restaurant that delivers till 3am or so. The food might not be the best, but for a lazy person craving something late at night, its the best you can get, imo.
> KimHo
Food courts are all about convenience. I only go to them if I am in the same area or shopping complex if that’s the case, and need something quick to eat and when its not my first objective of being there. I think both Canadian and Asian food courts have their pros and cons. As much as Asian food courts are perceived as “better”, I still do have times when I’d prefer a burger over something on a bed of steamed rice. Its all about variety for me.
> Melisa
I wonder if you are referring to Wo Fun Dessert. Reviewed previously on Foodosophy here:
http://foodosophy.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/wo-fung-dessert-richmond-bc/
Hi shokutsu,
What you mentioned makes sense and, although I like burgers, at the end of the day, if given the options, my Asian background overwrites those feelings.
Hi Melissa,
Will keep that in mind, although, alas, it is west of Main Street… (OK, one of their locations is not that far from Main).
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