Category: Cheap Eats

Cheap Eats · Chinese · Dim Sum

Phoenix Gate Chinese Cuisine – Seven takeout boxes later

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On Beep Beep’s last day in Calgary, we went for dim sum at Phoenix Gate. My previous two visits had been great, so I figured the third would be just as good. Let’s listen to Love and Happiness by Al Green.

I ordered: BBQ Pork Rice Roll ($6.25), BBQ Pork Baked Buns ($6.50),
Sui Mai ($7.50), Stir-Fried Flat Rice Noodles with Beef ($15.95), Stir-Fried Turnip Cake in XO Sauce ($7.50), Peanut and Meat Steamed Dumplings ($6.50) and Seafood Fried Chowmein ($18.95). Our feast was too big for our two-seater table. I had to strategically stack the half-eaten bamboo steamers and plates to make room for all the abundance of food.

The fried turnip cake was my favourite. The exterior was crispy and chewy, while the delicate, wobbly middle melted in your mouth. I also loved that hit of fried garlic and punch of XO sauce. I would order this again.

The rice rolls really hit the spot. The soft, delicate wrappers were filled with tasty BBQ shavings. There wasn’t as much filling as the last two times I came, but honestly, we still loved it and would order it again. The rice rolls were my second favourite dish.

The siu mai was enormous, like a meatball topped with a massive crowning of shrimp and tobiko. Unfortunately, the wrapper fell apart when I picked it up, and the filling leaned a little dry. Still, very tasty.

The BBQ bun was huge, but too doughy, like it wasn’t baked long enough. The filling wasn’t too sweet, which I prefer. I brought them to work the next day and baked them in the toaster, which really improved the texture.

One disappointment was the pork and meat steamed dumpling. The wrapper fell apart too easily; it was so moist and fragile that it broke apart with just a touch of my chopsticks.

The stir-fried rice noodles with beef were missing that smoky wok hei aroma, but the bright white bean sprouts added a refreshing crunch against the soft beef slices and slick noodles. Interestingly, when Chew Steel reheated the leftovers the next day, he thought they tasted even better.

The chow mein had scallops, squid, prawns, and glossy bok choy, all intermingled with a clear sauce. The noodles on the side of the plate were crispy, whereas the middle ones were more soaked through. I wanted a little salt or MSG to liven up the flavouring. When Chew Steel ate it later that afternoon, he disagreed, saying it was delicious, though the noodles were very saucy.

There was so much food left over that I had to buy seven takeout boxes. Five went to my mother, Boss Lady, who skipped our invitation at the last minute because she was too busy snoopervising, and the other two boxes went to Chew Steel.

I know I nitpicked a few dishes, but Phoenix Gate still delivers some tasty eats. The portions are generous to a fault, and everything arrives piping hot. Next round, I’m heading back for dinner and going straight for the Peking duck, lobster, and stuffed crab claws. To be continued.

Cheap Eats · Restaurants

Pathway Momos: A low-key momo spot in Calgary

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Divine Offering has spoiled me twice now with takeout from Pathway Momo’s, located in South Airways, in the northeast quadrant of Calgary. She’s been obsessed with these momos since the pandemic. After tasting them myself, I get her love for Nepalese dumplings. Let’s listen to Touch by Katseye for this post.

Momos are in a league of their own. Infused with aromatic spices and wrapped in a delicate, silky dough, it packs a whallop of flavour. You can get these babies steamed, pan-fried, deep-fried, tandoori-style, soup-based (jhol), or marinated in a spicy vegetable chilli sauce (sadeko). The sadeko is so hot and fiery that it made me pause in panic, then meekly go back for tentative seconds.

Divine Offering always orders at least three varieties. This time, she picked steamed pork ($11.99), vegetarian adeko ($12.49), and chicken jhol ($11.99). Texture-wise, I love the pork dumplings for the firm and juicy filling and the pop of coriander. Though I usually prefer dumplings with a crispy pan-fried edge, with the momos, I like them steamed to let the wrappers shine. The casing is toothsome and just dry enough to hold its unique shape in your mouth, yet pliant enough to soak up the sauce.

The chicken filling is softer and less dense than pork. Divine Offering prefers the chicken, for its light, marinated flavour and heat from the chilli oil. The vegetarian momos are bright and fresh. The filling tastes like real vegetables, minced, not frozen or puréed mush. The dumplings are so good, I plan to place an order for my friends Lululemon and Bex.oxo.

Divine Offering pointed out the craftsmanship in each dumpling, noting how each type is folded differently — pinched, crimped, or pleated. She said the jhol style gets even better the next day, like leftover ravioli.

There’s something addictive about eating these dumplings cold. The coolness of the wrapper contrasts even more with the warm spices. Each bite is so yummy and delectable. I must have eaten a dozen, with zero remorse.

I haven’t been to the restaurant myself yet. There are two locations, one in the NE and the newest location in the SW. Divine Offering swears by this NE spot, calling it a casual, diner-like place serving food so good it could easily charge more.

If you’re looking for where to eat in Calgary without spending much, this is one I’ll keep coming back to. I plan to go and do a friend and family pickup and drop-off, or maybe host a momo party. These dumplings are so good, they need to be shared with the world. Hitting the Sauce gives Pathway Momos two phat thumbs up.

Banh Mi · Cheap Eats

Banh Mi Date #19 – Saigon Deli

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It’s my birthday weekend! I kicked things off with a banh mi from Saigon Deli, and completed my mission to go on 19 banh mi dates! Let’s listen to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.

My nickname should be the Fairy Food Godmother, because whenever I visit Forest Lawn, I bring treats for everyone. It takes us 22 minutes to get to Saigon Deli, so I made it worth it by picking up a cold cut banh mi ($9) for my mother, who now lives in Calgary, and my neighbours. I chose veggie subs ($5) for Bex Oxo and Valentina, thinking it would be the safest option for them. I considered tofu but was unsure, as Bex Oxo was too polite to mention any preferences when I texted her. I found out after she likes tofu, so I’ll get her that next.

This is my third time at Saigon Deli, and the best visit because I ordered like a pro. FoodKarma recommends either a cold cut and extra pâté and butter. I also asked for extra carrots.

It’s a busy spot, but man, those ladies can whip up subs in record time. This isn’t their first rodeo. The staff crafts each sub with an odd mix of generosity, love, and no-nonsense boss lady swiftness. I was hooked. Perhaps even in love.

The bread was soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. I liked that the baguette wasn’t too crumbly, like cheaper, commercially made bread.
No other banh mi spot beats the freshness of the veggies—crunchy carrots, snappy cucumbers, and jalapeños that tasted like it straight from the garden.

Every bite was refreshing and satisfying, an abundance of cold cuts, homemade mayo, pâté, and spanking fresh crudités. The pâté was so intense, so I might stick with the standard amount and ask for extra mayo next time. I loved the pops of saltiness from the Maggi sauce.

Bex Oxo enjoyed her sub, highlighting the sweetness of the buttery mayo and the freshness of the veggies. We both enjoyed the occasional kick from the jalapeños. Even my mother approved, texting me of the deliciousness of her banhi mi.

When I first visited Saigon Deli, the subs were $6 or $7. Now they’re $9, and I’m glad they raised the prices—it’s well worth it. I hope they keep doing what they’ve been doing for decades. Hitting the Sauce gives Saigon Deli two phat thumbs up.

Best bánh mì in Calgary → full list here: Best Banh Mi in Calgary.

Banh Mi · Cheap Eats · Restaurants · Vietnamese

Bee the Banhmi – Date night #17

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Can you feel my excitement? I’m on banhi mi date 17 of 19, which means after two more dates, I’ll complete the goal I set back in June 2021. For this post, let’s listen to “Imma Be(e)” by The Blacked Eyed Pea.

I’ve been curious about Bee the Banhmi due to all the positive posts on Calgary Food- FoodYYC. Lately, I’ll only go to a new place after I have cross-checked through a friend’s recommendation, as Google is full of fake reviews. However, Lululemon and Lovegastrogirl, my two most reliable sources, haven’t eaten at Bee the Banhmi.

Bee the Banhmi is located inside Fresh & Local Market & Kitchens, formerly the Avenida Food Hall and Fresh Market. While the name of the market is not particularly catchy, it does house vendors with excellent reputations. I recognized Expat Asia, Zushi, J Spot Kitchen, and Krooked Provisions. Forget lining up for brunch at OEB; this is the place to go!

We ordered Hanoi spring rolls ($8.50), grilled pork salad rolls ($12) and a grilled beef banh mi ($16.50). I don’t usually order so much food, but I wanted to try everything Crump recommended. While we waited, the owner gave us complimentary iced tea.

We ordered our food to go, and despite the 15-minute ride home, the spring rolls were still crispy. The delicate wrapping was so thin and brittle that it cracked when I bit into it. The filling inside was tender and juicy, full of umami. I would order the spring rolls again.

My friend Kournikova would love Bee’s fresh lettuce wrap. There are no noodles inside, only crunchy pickled carrots, lettuce, and cucumbers. The pork was tasty, and the peanut sauce was phenomenal—creamy, smooth, and balanced. With the price of vegetables, I thought twelve bucks was a perfectly reasonable price.

The banh mi contained double the meat of its competitors, though I found the beef dry. I added some leftover peanut and fish sauce, which gave it some juice. Based on the reviews, I think the sub usually has more sauce, as customers have commented on the sate sauce. Next time, I plan to try the cold cut sub.

The vegetables are crunchier and pickled than Soc Trang or Banh Mi Cay and more rustic in pickling zest and texture than Thi Thi. I couldn’t taste the homemade mayo and pate, most likely because of the hot chilies I added. Next time, I would omit the chilies, as they were too spicy for me. The bread was better than Banh Mi Nhu Y, as it tasted fresher and fluffier.

Chew Steel and I enjoyed the food and would return. We were impressed with the quality, and the food was slightly different from your standard banh mi spot. No corners are cut here; you’ll get a delicious meal worth checking out. Bee Banh Mi, I salute you!

Best bánh mì in Calgary → full list here: Best Banh Mi in Calgary.

Cheap Eats · Tokyo

Tokyo review: Harajuku Gyoza Lou

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There was a famous gyoza joint I was planning to take Chew Steel to, but when I looked the location up, it wasn’t convenient enough to fit into our schedule. Instead, we went to Harajuku Gyoza Lou, a restaurant his student recommended to his other student, who then took me years ago. Let’s listen to “Like a Surgeon” for this post.

Harajuku Gyoza Lou is very popular with tourists, most likely due to its location and ease of ordering from their picture friendly menus. The prices are dirt cheap, too.

When we waited in line, a gaggle of female tourists came skipping over. They were my age but wearing pigtails and eye-catching dresses. One of the women came over asked the guy ahead of me if this was the waiting line for gyoza. He nodded. Her friends lined while she sat on the stairs outside the restaurant, opened her colouring book and began drawing. Her friend came over and snapped pictures while she looked up, her forty-year-old plus face smiling coyly to the camera. I noticed all her friends wielded selfie sticks.

Once I got a seat and took a long gulp of my drink, my mood improved. My bubbly lemon sour was refreshing and potent; and it was only 530 ¥. Chew Steel’s draft beer was 580 ¥. How could you not be happy under these conditions?

You can order the dumplings fried or steamed. We tried all three dumplings: chives and garlic, plain, and shiso. An order comes with six dumplings (¥ 390), and when all the damage was done, Chew Steel and I averaged about a dozen each. We watched as the gyoza master lined up trays of dumplings and monitored the massive sizzling cooking process.

We ordered our dumplings fried. To me, that’s the only way to go. The crispness of the wrapper was part of the appeal, when your teeth broke into the thin skin. Chew Steel made me a dipping sauce, combining the chili oil, vinegar and soy sauce on the counter. The shiso in the gyoza dumpling was fragrant and sweet, reminding me a little of fresh basil.

My favourite version was the garlic and chive, while Chew Steel preferred the simplicity of the regular filling. Chew Steel recommended popping the entire dumpling in your mouth, so the juices would remain in your mouth and not the plate.

I loved the cucumber with miso sauce (￥290) so much that I ordered a second helping to go with my last order of dumplings. The chilled cucumbers were ultra-crunchy and intensely melon-like. With the tangy, nutty and buttery miso, I thought the cucumber could spar with the gyoza for the best snack of the trip. We liked the food so much that we returned on the last day of our trip.

Hitting the Sauce gives Harajuku Gyoza Lou two phat thumbs up and her startling rage at Instagrammers who should know better two phat thumbs down. “Yoisho! Yoisho! Yoisho!”

Planning a trip? See more in Where to Eat While Travelling: Restaurants Worth the Detour, including Tokyo picks.