Shiny Tea's quality is comparable to Hanlin Tea House, if not identical. The lower cost for the same tea comes without the wonderful interior decor Hanlin Tea House has. The price tag of $5.49 is cheaper than Hanlin, which makes Shiny Tea the perfect tea station for a quick grab and go.
To be honest, I don't know why Boiling Point has such a long line up. Sometimes, I just feel like going there especially when the weather gets cold. This establishment really gives me the feeling that they treat everything like an assembly line. The soup has lots of taste, and that's what Boiling Point is good at, but it's obvious they come from artificial flavouring. There is evidence showing the ingredients are not fresh, and everything is overcooked except the raw egg in the pot. Every hot pot is so packed with ingredients that there's no room for things to cook properly, so the gel fueled flame's only purpose is to keep things warm. That being said, I guess what attracts customers the most is their competitive price as a hot pot. If you want to get a hot pot for less than $20, your options are probably limited to Boiling Point, and food court hot pot.
I think $14 per pizza is a fair price to charge because of the space required for customizing pizza. The authentic pizza places are more expensive, but they also have a better topping selection, so we cannot compare Assembli to them. If we compare all the big name franchises like Pizza Hut, Fresh Slice, and Domino, etc, Assembli is more expensive, but also has more of an artisan feel to it.
Yunshang Rice Noodle serves most of its main course in hot clay pot. It's a warm comfort food alternative to hot pot in this cold weather. The food doesn't taste that special. Our visit cost us about approximately $19 per person. For the same price, there are better rice noodle options.
Yes, I agree paying $20 for a plate of Cantonese is expensive. We also know that serving traditional Cantonese comfort food that should've been available to everyone at a premium price is going to be met with a lot of resistance. Does that mean this type of dish does not deserve to be made with high-quality ingredients and strong culinary skills? I think the opposite. Cantonese comfort food is an old tradition that should be celebrated. They deserve to be announced to the world as much as Italian or any other cuisines.
The food at Basil Box is tasty, but the flavour profile was a little bland for people who are used to higher sodium Asian food with a punch. I like how simple it is to order with no item on the menu that would cost you extra. Even a first-timer like me can have a pleasant ordering experience with a little help from the server. For $11.95 a box, it is a little expensive with the small portion. However, Basil Box is a healthy South Eastern Asian food alternative so it is really up to the individual's opinion whether they are worth it.
Ramen Gaoh created lots of hype when they first opened. We came to see if we can withstand the spiciest ramen in Vancouver but left with disappointment. The food quality is not bad, but they can be more careful when cooking. I like both the exterior and interior decoration. The dining area has a good atmosphere. Since Ramen Gaoh is opened by the group that opened Ramen Gojiro, Menya Kouji Group, I was expecting a little more for $20 per person.
Sooda Korean BBQ serves traditional Korean food alongside the newer type of Korean food. Their special hot plate dish can be enjoyed individually or mixed. the $20 per person price point isn't too expensive compared to other similar Korean food restaurants. They have plenty of parking and the location is close to the Brentwood Skytrain station. If you don't want to drive all the way to Coquitlam to enjoy good Korean food, Sooda Korean BBQ can be a good option for you.
Saboten is the biggest tonkatzu franchise in Japan. Unfortunately not a lot of us have heard about them. Because of that, I am considering Saboten a hidden gem in Richmond. Hiring Cantonese to take the order result in loss of true Japanese franchise experience. It's such a shame that this action gave customer a false first impression that the food may not taste authentic. The $11.50 price point makes them much more affordable than Saku. I have no problem recommending Saboten for anyone who visits Aberdeen food court.
