Vancity Vibes | DAY 11: (Pt. 3) DooBoo + Snackshot Kingsway

Read Part 2 HERE !

Burnaby is closely associated with Korean cuisine, much like how Richmond is tied to Chinese/Cantonese fare. My suggestion for sustenance aligning with this demographic was met with a proposal for Korean-style torched beef sushi at first. However, being neither keen on the non-traditional offerings nor the large party portion sizes, I pointed to a different spot on Google Maps.

​Four kilometres east on Kingsway, DooBoo was found in a small plaza with limited parking. Managing to secure one of their last spots, we tugged at the door to reveal a full house. A brief wait was involved.

There were only two members of floor staff: one younger and one middle-aged, both lean and quick on their feet. Between delivering tables orders, the duo busily packaged takeout orders and arranged them by the door for pickup by food delivery services such as Fantuan and DoorDash.

Laminated menus were provided for our review. Instead of inspecting the names before me though, I had taken greater interest in taking in my surroundings. 
Availability of a password-secured Wi-Fi network was announced via a bold, grey arrow, its head pointing not towards the check-out counter but rather the washrooms. Framed images of menu items were distributed along the walls. Standing partitions were positioned between tables, like Cafe Login, to assist with physical distancing between tables.

I finally took a proper look at the menu as one of the waitresses approached us for orders. The menu spanned traditional soups and noodle dishes, just as I had been craving. 

​Between us, a Hot Pot Stone Rice with Fish Roe and Honey Garlic Chicken Salad were requested. ​Atypical of Korean-operated restaurants, push button bells had not been affixed to the table.

Examining the menu closer, Cass was available! Unable to resist the Korean drama classic, I ordered it without a second thought. The younger waitress requested verification of both of our IDs before inputting the order. In the meantime, I conducted research on Kokanee, a brand I hadn't heard previously. It would emerge as a Pilsner local to the province of British Columbia.

Consistent with the reactions of K-drama actors, Cass was indeed refreshing. The first gulp was naturally succeeded by a sigh of satisfaction. As if formulated for smooth, ceaseless drinking, the lager could easily be downed on its own or paired with the rich, robust flavours of Korean soul food. ​Cass was could easily be compared as the Molson of Korea - a nation's staple beer.
​A Kloud glass and bottle opener had accompanied my request, hinting that the restaurant had probably carried Kloud before.

Upon depleting my glass, I requested a follow-up of Kokanee, for being the passenger was an opportunity that seldom passed me by. This time, the beer was paired with a chilled Hite Jinro glass with lines depicting somaek ratios. The BC brew was paler in hue yet distinctly more tenacious (?) in profile. As concluded by the both of us, Kokanee was less enjoyable than Cass overall.

​Both beers, albeit subjected to an alcohol tax of twelve percent, were priced at an in-restaurant low of $4.99 per bottle! My shock could hardly be contained after years of sixteen-plus Sapporo.

​Service was quite speedy, and our meals arrived in record time. The Chicken Salad was equal parts boneless Honey Garlic chicken and cabbage slaw. Adorned with minimal dressing, the salad was deemed better than the chicken. Despite decent seasoning, the pieces were tough and not very palatable. The rice cakes resting atop were, in fact, the best part of the dish: glazed and crunchy on the outside yet springy within.

​The Hot Pot Stone Rice with Fish Roe was decent, though far from memorable. I appreciated the bits of scrambled egg and crispy rice bits, but found the combination lacklustre.

​Between bites of chicken and rice were swigs of barley tea. Served in a plastic pitcher and consumed with handle-less ceramic cups, the tea was neither hot nor cold, but maintained a lukewarm temperature ideal for sipping throughout the meal.

​Bathrooms adopted the format of gender-separated single stalls and were equipped with toilets demonstrating powerful flushing capabilities.

​I checked in with my companion at the termination of supper, confirming whether her schedule would allow one more stop for dessert before calling it a day.
We sought out Snackshot, as it was along the way back to Richmond. As the ETA came into view, I expressed surprise at the short travel distance. Shortly afterwards, I realized that the dessert parlour had two locations, and one was conveniently closer.

​The interior was compact yet lively. Decorated with mahjong tiles and classic HK neon signage, the dining environment itself was quite praiseworthy.

​Of great amusement to us, as well as countless others that had left reviews, was the Mahjong Tile Coconut-Red Bean Pudding. The menu was exclusively accessible via a QR code, with table number information included within. Any orders would be directly fed through an ordering system and sent to the kitchen.

​Snackshot had not only replicated the tiles in terms of size and thickness, but stamped them to constitute a winning hand of Thirteen Orphans. With the exception of the backside of the tiles, they were nearly flawless. Some tiles were shinier than others, as they had unmoulded easier than the rest. Wrinkled backsides and mild grittiness from red bean bits were witnessed in the others.
Two sheets of rice paper money bearing the business' name - in Supreme font no less - resided next to the tiles.

​The tiles, as expected, tasted like normal coconut pudding with a layer of red bean. A small container of purple rice dipping sauce was provided for a boost of flavour, though ultimately contributed little to no depth.

​Nevertheless, we enjoyed the dessert and the added allure of edible money. My companion, whose mother is as avid a baker as she an artist, was immediately keen to purchasing the money for use as a cake topping.

​Towards the end of our stay, I approached the bathroom with caution. Late night establishments in the east end of the GTA operated by those in their mid-twenties tend to be filthy, and repulsively so. Creaking open the doors of Snackshot's accessible stall, I expressed relief and amazement at the pristine conditions and thoughtful furnishings.