Vancouver Cheap Eats: Top 5 tropical eats for under $5

Dec 19 2017, 2:52 pm

Something very strange is happening in Vancouver right now, and it’s about to get a whole lot stranger.

Brace yourself: there is sunshine in the forecast…for the next 5 days!

Snow in June? Sure, it’s happened. But sun in January for longer than 5 minutes? Now this is cause for a celebration. Though it may not be cold enough to pull out your itsy-bitsy and throw down a towel at Kits beach, there can still be a fire in your belly that doesn’t require slathering on aloe soon afterwards. So come join us to honour the yellow guy for showing his blaze.

Vancity Buzz and Chowmenow have found 5 eats for $5 dollars or less that will remind you of sandy beaches, warm climates, and a shining sun in every bite. So pack your bags–we’re heading to the tropics.

La Casita 

lacasita

We hope you remembered your sombrero because our first stop on this tropical tour starts with Mexican flavor. There’s no such thing as a drab Monday when La Casita throws a fiesta. $5 burritos and $3 margaritas, plus complementary chips served with not one, but two kinds of salsa. Carne, queso, and tequila? Ole!

Bo Laksa King’s Bubbles and Bits

Bo Laksa King Bubbles and Bits

Next we’ll saunter into South East Asia, where the weather is hot and the people are friendly. Here there are plenty of Malaysian bits for under five dollars, like chicken or beef satays served with sticky rice, cucumber, and a spicy peanut sauce for $3.95.

Sweet Chili Café

Sweet Chili Cafe

Bali may be known for their incredible surf, friendly folk, and non-stop sunshine, but we think it’s the cuisine that creates memories. You can forego the 20 hour plane ride to this corner of the globe and instead grab a seat at the Sweet Chili Café. This family-run spot claims to be Vancouver’s most authentic Indonesian restaurant, and with cheap eats like Krupuk Udang and Lumpia, we’re not going to argue.

Hapa Izakaya

Hapa Izakaya

Consider yourself booked at 5:30pm, as for the next hour you will sample away Haza Izakaya’s cheap eats at their four locations, all ranging between $2 and $5. Go for the Tropical Roll for $2.99, which has yam tempura, banana, asparagus, and mango miso. Then there’s a Chow favourite, Ika (grilled squid) for $4.49. Now that’s one hapa hour.

The Patty Shop 

You can’t give ode to the sun without adding some Caribbean flare, which is exactly why you need to head to The Patty Shop. Besides the fact that the most expensive Jamaican patty is $2.30, there’s another reason why we can’t get enough: they like their beef. Choose from mild, hot or curry all wrapped up in a flaky pastry. No cutlery required.

 

What meal brightens your palette despite Mother Nature’s mood? Tell us on our Facebook page or tweet us your tropical cheap eats.

Did we miss somewhere? All five dollar connoisseurs are more than welcome to join us as we voyage for good grub by adding your review on Chowmenow.com.

 

Photo credit: Me Plus Food; Where Jess Ate; 604Foodtography ; Sherman’s Food Adventures

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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