Nothing is better than a steaming bowl of soup on a cold day. With Vancouver’s below-freezing weather, it’s the perfect time to discover top-notch Vietnamese restaurants. The bowls of thoroughly marinated meats with blends of spices will satisfy your stomach. Although known for pho, Vietnamese-fusion in Vancouver has definitely stepped up its game. With various other cuisines mixed into the preparation and creation of these dishes, I introduced to you my four favourite Vietnamese fusion restaurants in Vancouver.

District Eleven

There is no Asian food without trusted wok-fried dishes. District Eleven is the best place to go to satisfy your stir-fry cravings. District Eleven is a new Asian-fusion restaurant offering classic Vietnamese dishes with modern twists. A must-try is the Bo Kho, a Vietnamese beef stew with tender beef and soft carrots paired with rice, noodles, or bread. They are also known for their Bo Luc Lac, wok-fried sizzling beef. Also known as “shaking beef,” tenderloin beef is fried with mushrooms, butter, oyster sauce, shallots, and onions for a savoury, flavourful dish which pairs perfectly with rice. District Eleven is open late all week, making it the go-to place for late-night snacks and casual hangouts.

Address: 4063 Main Street, Vancouver

Website: https://district-eleven.ca/

Lunch Lady

Probably one of the most well-known Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver, Lunch Lady has established a reputation for refined dishes combining the best of the Pacific Northwest and traditional Vietnamese flavours. Their Bò Tái Chanh, or beef carpaccio, is one to die for. I’ve tried many carpaccio dishes, even some in the origin country, Italy, but I can confidently say, this dish will not leave you disappointed. Thin beef filets are seasoned with pickled onions, fresh herbs, lime vinaigrette, and peanuts to create a harmonious mix of textures and flavours. I’m sure you’ve heard of pho, but have you tried wagyu pho? Lunch Lady mixes wagyu zabuton, wagyu beef cheeks, bone marrow, rice noodles, and a sous vide egg into the familiar beef broth we all know. The soup is so rich and hearty, making this bowl of pho a definite crowd-pleaser if you’re willing to splurge.

Address: 1046 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Website: https://thelunchlady.com/

Anh and Chi

Hear me out: crab meat and roe soufflé with rice noodles and pork bone broth - literal heaven on earth. Bún Riêu Cua, or Grandma’s Crab Tomato Noodle Soup, is a generous bowl of crab meat and roe soufflé, fried tofu, crab claw, fresh tomatoes, green onions, rice vermicelli noodles, pork bone broth, and shrimp paste. Served with the classic sides, I’ve yet to find a similar dish around Vancouver. The mouthwatering broth is enough to share among two. Cánh Gà, or chicken wings, is served with pickled daikon and carrots, black pepper and lime juice with chilli fish sauce. Although common within many Vietnamese restaurants, the sauce and perfectly fried wings take this starter over the top. 

Address: 3388 Main Street, Vancouver

Website: https://anhandchi.com/

Linh Café

Although being one of the pricier options for Vietnamese-fusion restaurants, Linh Café is definitely worth every penny. With a family-style menu conveniently located in downtown Vancouver, Linh Café marries French cuisine with the best of Vietnamese cuisine. Perfect for a date, the steak tartare, lobster benedict, fried frog legs, or their twist to the classic pho will surely leave a memorable impression on your date. Linh Café serves northern-style pho, with clear and simple broth and wider rice noodles. If you prefer a clearer broth, you’ll fall in love with this bowl of classic northern pho.