Travelling Around the World Without Leaving the City

by Gwendolyn Floyd

In Vancouver it is very easy to take the time to introduce your child to many different cultures. With so many different ethnicities in this city you can try food from all over the globe, many within a few feet of of each other. In this edition I will take you to China, Japan, India, Korea and the Middle East.

Photo by: Gwen Floyd

China is a huge country with many provinces and food styles. Our favourite Chinese in the city is Szechuan style at the Golden Great Wall. It is here (and with their take out) that we discovered that our son will try almost anything if it is presented to him with chopsticks. The Golden Great Wall at 705 West Broadway attached to the Holiday Inn, is always busy and is very friendly to children. We usually get some spring rolls, a chicken, beef and vegetable dish and some wonton soup. The food can be a little spicy but there is a lot of food that isn't so you should be able to find something that your child will try and like.

Japanese food is also a huge favourite around here. In Vancouver you can get sushi at incredibly low prices. To start your child off try some of the vegetarian or cooked rolls. We started our son on cucumber rolls really early since he loved cucumber and rice. Now he eats kapa maki, avacado maki, BC Rolls and I have to fight him for the gyoza. Try Minato Sushi in the 900 block of Broadway (by the 7-11) for very child friendly service.

We also love Korean BBQ here as well. The best for this is Shabusen in South Granville. They are also pretty child friendly and it gives you a chance to try an amazing number of foods. If you get the all you can eat (small children are free), you can order a number of meats (which you cook in the middle of the table) and different things form the kitchen. Most things you order by piece so you can try one of everything.

There are also a lot of Middle Eastern restaurants in Vancouver. The food can be spicy, but there is also a lot of plainer food for the pickier child. We usually get some takeout from Mona's on Broadway and we feast on falafel, humous, tzazki and rice. Add some pita bread and you have a great meal.

Last but not least is Indian food. With a huge South Asian population in Greater Vancouver it is not surprising that we have a huge number of Indian restaurants here. With both meat and vegetarian restaurants all over the place it is very hard to choose. My suggestion is to go to Little India around Fraser and 49^th Ave and check out any of the restaurants there. 

Let me know which your child (or you) enjoys most. Happy travels!