OpenRoad Driver Volume 11 Issue 1 | Page 32

32 » OpenRoad Driver P L AT E S Favourite Street Eats Words and photos by Mijune Pak » Z O O M I N G T H R O U G H VA N C O U V E R ’ S STREET FOOD SCENE Who would have thought Vancouver would be a leader in the street food industry in Canada? But, we are. Actually, we are known for our impressive food truck scene in general even in the context of North America, and it has become part of our food culture. The city has over a hundred food trucks opened by cooks and professional chefs, and the options are diverse, just like our restaurants. Besides offering eclectic and sophisticated menus, food truck owners are also taking social responsibility. Many are supporting local ingredients and taking environmentally friendly initiatives in their day-to-day operations. M O G U J A PA N E S E S T R E E T E AT S Mogu means “to chew” or “munch” in Japanese, and “mogu-mogu” is a Japanese saying. This Mogu offers a few mainstay sandwiches including a Pork Miso Katsu, Chicken Teriyaki and Kabocha Korokke, which come in a fluffy potato bun sourced from a local bakery. While their Japanese-inspired sandwiches are good, my favourite item is actually their Sweet & Spicy Chicken Karaage. It is marinated deep-fried, crispy chicken with house-made sweet chili sauce, and it’s a flavour bomb for your mouth. Relative to other North American cities, Vancouver’s street food scene is quite glamourous. It is popular with locals and tourists alike, and while street food is meant to be convenient, many go to seek it out. I’m not a fan of “best of ” lists since food is personal, but I’ve tried most of the food trucks in the city and these are eight of my favourites. TA C O F I N O – T H E O R A N G E TA C O T R U C K Tacofino is a leader in Vancouver’s food truck scene. They originally started in Tofino and brought their food truck business to Vancouver in 2011. Since then they have opened Tacofino Commissary, a sitdown restaurant, and another food truck – The Blue Burrito Truck. They specialize in West Coast-style tacos and their Tuna Ta-Taco features lightly seared sesame-soy albacore tuna, wasabi-ginger mayo, shredded cabbage, mango salsa and seaweed salad on a fire-toasted flour tortilla. Their Chocolate Diablo Cookie made with fresh ginger and chili, milk chocolate chunks and salty sprinkles is a grown-up dessert that sells out often. Many items here sell out often for good reason, too!