Do you daydream of taking cooking classes in the south of France or eating Michelin-starred street food in Singapore? While our passports wait patiently to be stamped once more, you can bring the taste of faraway lands to your kitchen table, without ever leaving New West. ReDiscover New West’s delightful fresh food markets, butchers and specialty food stores with these flavourful recommendations to bring the world to your kitchen.
Longing for the taste of the Philippines?
Kumusta kayo! No need to hop on a plane to feel like you’re in the Philippines, all you need to do is pop into the Manila BBQ Market on 12th Street. Once inside, you’ll soon forget that you’re in New West and feel like you’re in a Manila market. You’ll find everything you need (and more) to make your favourite authentic Filipino dishes, like Adobo chicken and Halo-Halo.
Missing the taste of the Middle East?
Marhaba! Tucked away in upper 12th Street near the Burnaby border is the BC Market, a family-run grocery store that specializes in Arabic foods. To properly replicate meals you’ve tasted when travelling, it’s all about sourcing the key ingredients, like olive oil, cheeses and herbs. Want to make authentic Khyar Bi Laban (yogurt and cucumber dip)? They have labneh. Looking for the robust flavours of Palestinian olive oil? They have that, too. Missing that distinct flavour found in Middle Eastern dishes? It’s likely the Za’atar spice blend that they also carry. If you need a hand to find that particular item that will make your dinner sing, their lovely staff will gladly help you find what you’re looking for to tantalize your taste buds.
Craving Poffertjes?
Hallo! It’s amazing to think that for over 60 years, The Holland Shopping Centre has been selling Dutch delicacies in New Westminster. Located in Sapperton, they carry iconic Dutch brands like Koopmans, Jumbo, and Conimex. You’ll also find poffertjes mixes, Curry Saus, and Fritesaus. It’s a Gouda-thing they’re not too far from a SkyTrain station so you can visit and stock up with ease!
Want to relive your Eastern European travels?
Dobry’den The Full Basket Butchery nestled on Belmont Street in Uptown has fantastic house-made Ukrainian sausages that will trick your taste buds into thinking they’re on the Dnieper River in Kiev. As we get ready to entertain outdoors, you’ll be thrilled to also find a variety of marinated chicken ready for your BBQ, house-made pork belly, and the most amazing bacon!
Just want to hop on a plane to… anywhere?
Sata srī akāla! Ciao! Annyeonghaseyo! Looking at vacation photos can work up an appetite for all your favourite destination dishes. If you’re feeling hungry but unsure of what to whip up next, the best place to get inspired is Galloways in Uptown. Like New West, Galloways is small but oh so mighty! Since the 1930s, this wee gem of a store has been helping folks in Metro Vancouver expand their culinary experiences. They have over 150 spices, more than 60 different essential oils, and hundreds of botanical herbs. Seriously, if you can’t find a specialty ingredient here, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to find it anywhere.
Orange you glad about New West produce markets?
There are at least a dozen fresh fruit and veggie markets that can be found in every nook and cranny across this great city. Joy Farm Market, located on 8th Avenue and 10th Street for example, is well…a joy to shop at. The owners are so incredibly friendly, and so passionate about produce, you will leave with a basket of your favourites plus some new exotic recommendations that will transport you with one juicy bite.
Another local favourite is Denny’s Farm Market located in Uptown, close to Galloways, 6th Avenue Break & Deli, and Dairy Queen. Load up on their fresh produce, but it’s the other curated sundries they carry that will have you returning often. You can get Hoochy Booch Kombucha, impossibly sweet handmade dried tomatoes and crispy apple rings (YUM!), and if you’re lucky, you’ll even find some nifty handmade local products.
These are just a sampling of the incredible markets and shops where you can find delightful delicacies to whisk your taste buds away to faraway places. Did we miss your favourite spot? Don’t forget to snap a photo of your finds and post to your public social media accounts with #ReDiscoverNewWest for your chance to win some great prizes. When you shop local you can also enter to win $1000 to spend local! Visit www.ReDiscoverNewWest.ca for all the contest details and a listing of more great New West shops. The contest runs for the month of June, so don’t wait, get out are #ReDiscoverNewWest! Read about ReDiscover New West’s unique and eclectic shops here.