The Vancouver Foodster Rice Bowl Challenge has wrapped up for 2016 with the Siam in the City Bowl from Ban Chok Dee in Langley declared the People’s Champion.
This Vancouver Foodster Challenge was one of the tightest races, the Judges Choice ended up in a 3-way tie with Siam in the City Bowl, Momma’s Style Poke Bowl from Oka-San Kitchen and SHAMs Rice Bowl from Saj & Co coming out on top.
The five entries in the Rice Bowl Challenge were similar in structure but provided ample differences in taste. Each of the competing chefs pulled out the stops to show the flavour of their restaurants. I would heartily recommend any of the entries if they end up on the regular menu at the restaurants.
The Rice Bowl Challenge entries were:
(in order of tasting, no ranking is implied)
Red Rice Bowl at U & I Thai, 3364 Cambie Street
A delightfully simple red curry rice bowl, presented with the look of a piece of fruit. The perfectly round bowl of rosy rice is topped with a stack of nicely cooked pork cheek slices. While pork cheeks can be fatty, these cuts had a nice balance and a flavourful marinate/sauce. When paired in a bite with the red curry rice, the flavours matched and melted in the mouth. The subtle but bright flavours makes the Red Rice Bowl a good beginners curry bowl or for those not wanting the heat of an intense curry.
SHAMS Rice Bowl at Saj & Co, 813 Davie Street
Any visit to Saj & Co is an adventure in flavours and a challenge to finish. The SHAMS Rice Bowl is no exception, the hearty, heaping bowl has everything. Just when you think you’ve got the flavours pinned the next bite is a completely different flavour combination. The SHAMS rice bowl included organic wild and brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, mixed with chickpeas, oven roasted turkey, pine nuts, roasted vegetables, haloumi cheese, dried fruit, topped with labneh and butternut squash puree. The bowl makes a great meal on its own or share it with a friend as a hearty side dish to your Saj & Co sandwich.
Siam in the City Rice Bowl at Ban Chok Dee, 20563 Douglas Crescent, Langley
Judging by the line-up at the restaurant, Ban Chok Dee is no secret to the residents of Langley. The Siam in the City Rice bowl represents Chef Parinya’s take on comfort food from the country but elevated to polished urban rice bowl. The dish of cured sou vide chicken, cashews and almonds, pumpkins seeds, carrots, water chestnuts atop a bowl of jasmine rice, ringed by a sweet and spicy green curry sauce. On the side, crispy chicken skin, lime leaves and mango salad served as fresh, cleansing and cooling bite.
General Chau Rice Bowl at American Grille in Marriott Vancouver Airport, 7571 Westminster Highway.
The beautifully presented bowl, is topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg that allows the yoke to spread through the rice bowl. General Chau Rice Bowl presents Chinese flavours in a Korean bibimbap style. Spicy chicken and sauted garlic prawns and julienned vegetables top the rice bowl. The chilli anchovy sauce on the side allowed diners to add as much or as little spice to the bowl as desired. Once the egg and sauce are blended into the bowl, coating every grain, the flavours were found in every bite.
Momma’s Style Poke Rice Bowl at Oka-San Kitchen
The goal of Oka-San Kitchen is to provide a Vancouver take on Japanese comfort food with a Hawaiian influence. The Momma’s Style Poke Rice Bowl comes right from ‘Momma’ Doris’ recipe and makes for a fresh and tasty bowl full of flavour. The heap of rice is piled with fresh sashimi-cut fish, greens, wakame, sesame, furikake, masago, green onions, grape tomatoes and avocado. The fresh of the veggies and greens complimented the hint of spice in the dressing and the melt in your mouth fish. While poke may be known as a ‘kitchen sink’ dish perfect for using up your leftovers, Momma’s Style Poke Rice Bowl at Oka-San will make you hope for more.
If these dishes sounded tasty, stop by the restaurants and see what’s on their menus.
Look for the Vancouver Foodster Meatball Challenge to get rolling April 3rd until 30th at restaurants around the city.