Ethnic Eats – Sampling the World’s Cuisine Without Leaving Vancouver

Looking for a place to have some dinner before heading over to the Cascade Room, we decided on Ping’s Cafe, a place that has been recommended to me several times, but which I had yet to try. I knew it was on Main Street somewhere, but it’s a blink and you’ll miss it kind of place. Even after driving past it, looking up the address and driving back to the surprisinly shabby looking cafe (on the outside), there was still a sort of illicit, secret hideaway feel to the dinner, like we and the waitstaff were the only ones in the city who knew where we were.

The interior is no less minimalist, although it is nicer. Black and white lamps sparkle out of one wall while mirrors mounted opposite each other reflect the white walls and tables infinitely. The decor is far from cold, however and ensures that the showcase is where it should be: on the food.

We started with a sake tasting from Artisan Sake Maker on Granville Island. It comes with one filtered and one unfiltered and although the filtered had a hint of carbonation to it, both were delicious and we ended up ordering the same again, unable to choose.

Then came the food. Bang Bang tofu (tofu in peanut sauce with shredded carrots, and cabbage) and pumpkin croquettes ($6) followed by a main of miso cod ($18) to share. The tofu went down fast, delicious as it was, but I didn’t have the same love for the croquettes, which I found dry and a somewhat awkward size for eating with chopsticks. The cod, however, blew everything away. Morsels of flavourful fish melting softly on the tongue, it was both light and savoury and I could have eaten the same dish about 3 times over.

There are some strange items on the list, such as a Ping Dog (basically a japanese-adorned hot dog) and fries, and hamburger patties that I find kind of questionable, but whatever. Maybe I’ll give it a try next time. I do love Japadog…

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Ping’s Cafe
2702 Main Street, Vancouver