The hunt for Vancouver's best-kept culinary secrets is never-ending, and one neighbourhood that deserves attention is the area around the Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain Station in east Vancouver. Urban planner Andy Yan raves about this locale, which is brimming with small restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores representing a wide array of immigrant communities.
The largest concentration of eateries is found in the 3300-block of Kingsway, between Joyce and Stamford streets, boasting 24 restaurants and bakeries. Yan highlights several standout spots, including Happy Day Cafe at 3320 Kingsway, a fantastic Chinese Hong Kong cafe. Nearby, Super Thai Hot Pot at 3327 Kingsway offers a new hot pot experience, while Joojak at 3337 Kingsway serves excellent Xian Chinese cuisine. Wang Shanghai at 3328 Kingsway is renowned for having some of the best soup dumplings in the city, along with delicious cold wontons and noodles. Most noodle dishes are affordably priced at $15.
The neighbourhood is largely working class, featuring a mix of small houses, apartment blocks, and newer condos. According to the 2021 Census, the tower portion of the area, Census tract 9330016.06, is the densest in Vancouver, with 524 people per hectare. This density contributes to the culinary vibrancy, drawing residents from across the city.
Panaderia Latina Bakery at 4906 Joyce is a Chilean hotspot offering mouth-watering desserts, imported groceries, and some of the tastiest sandwiches and empanadas in town. The sandwiches are generously sized, often requiring a take-home box. Yan recommends the Chacarero, with thin slices of sirloin steak, fresh tomatoes, sautéed green beans, and mayo on a handmade bun. There is no indoor seating, so patrons typically enjoy their meals outside or take them to go.
The 4900 block of Joyce is representative of where many new immigrants start their businesses. Similarly, the 5100 block houses a trio of Filipino restaurants: Plato Filipino, Pampanga's Cuisine, and Kumare Express. In 2021, a proposed redevelopment threatened this block, but after a story by Chris Cheung highlighted its cultural importance, the city council passed a Placekeeping motion to protect cultural food assets. The highrise development has not yet been built.
Yan is also eager to try the Kroren Uyghur Restaurant at 3377 Kingsway, which features cuisine from northwest China, including hand-pulled noodle soups and Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken. He notes that Joojak offers a must-try dish: steamed chicken with chili sauce, known in Chinese as salivating chicken, which is incredibly savory.
Most restaurants in the area are small and located in older buildings with cheap rent, resulting in very few empty storefronts compared to pricier Vancouver neighbourhoods. This Eat Street is a testament to the community's diversity and culinary richness.
