this is the first visit to bun cha ca hoang yen's burnaby location, situated by kingsway and nelson. conveniently, parking is available both on the street and in their garage.
we were a party of three, arriving shortly after 2:00 pm on a friday. upon entering, we were seated in the back, past a noticeable fan that kept the area cool. the ambiance is casual and inviting, well-suited for family meals. the interior features hoang yen's name in striking red lettering on the wall, surrounded by colourful rice paddy hats, each depicting scenes from vietnam. this adds a unique cultural touch to the dining experience.
i opted for their three bean drink, a traditional vietnamese dessert drink. this consists of three distinct layers of ingredients: sweetened red beans, mung beans, and pandan jelly. the drink is topped with a generous amount of crushed ice and finished with either coconut or evaporated milk. this blend of textures and flavours creates a refreshing and substantial dessert, particularly enjoyable in warm weather.
typically, my go-to dish is their namesake, bun cha ca (a fish cake noodle soup), but this time i decided to share the grilled prawns and chicken with vermicelli. the dish was beautifully garnished with fresh mint, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber slices, and crushed peanuts. i appreciated that they provided a syrup dispenser of nuoc mam (a flavourful fish sauce that adds umami richness to the dish) on the table. this was alongside the usual condiments like hoisin sauce, chili oil, and sriracha.
while the dish was visually appealing, the grilled chicken and prawns were slightly disappointing as they tasted a bit dry. it seemed like they might have been pre-cooked and then quickly seared before serving, which affected their juiciness and flavour. the spring rolls were only okay.
service was efficient, albeit a bit challenging at times due to the floor plan. when seated in the back, it can be a blind spot for servers, making it harder to get their attention. despite this, the staff was responsive when we did manage to flag them down.
note: similar to their vancouver location, this restaurant accepts cash and debit card only.
overall, the visit to bun cha ca hoang yen was pleasant. the restaurant's atmosphere, the unique decor, and the refreshing three bean drink were highlights. however, there is room for improvement in the quality of the grilled dishes. given the efficient service and inviting ambiance, it remains a good choice for a family meal or casual dining experience. i look forward to trying their signature bun cha ca on my next visit. read more