Vancouver Foodie Friday January Finds – Hot Chocolate, Dine Out, Lunar New Year and More

We have curated a list of our current January culinary favourites and notable limited edition menus, into one convenient spot for this month’s Vancouver Foodie Friday feature. Here are the first of our 2024 finds and updates for all foodies alike in the New Year:

Vancouver Foodie Friday January Finds
Hot Chocolate, Dine Out, Lunar New Year and More

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Fest

• Where: Vancouver Metro Area
• When: January 13th to February 14th, 2024
• Details: The lineup was just launched today on the Hot Chocolate Fest’s website! Worth marking in your calendar and checking back on their instagram for hot chocolate creations, locations, and the charities the festival will be partnering with. Be sure to use the hashtag #hotchocolatefest if you choose to participate.
  • Pictured above is the Snow-Coco ($12). 70% dark chocolate blended with steamed oat milk, creating a creamy canvas for the artistry to come. A drizzle of Macadamia nut and coconut syrup adds an exotic twist, while two marshmallow snowmen create a winter wonderland in your cup.

Georgia Main Food Group to open its first-ever Asian Grocery Store – Meiga

• Where: 221 Loco Road in Port Moody – with plans for expansion over the next three to five years
• When: Early 2024
• Details: Georgia Main Food Group is excited to announce it will open its first-ever Asian grocery store in early 2024. At Meiga (pronounced May-ga, meaning beautiful family), customers will be warmly welcomed by staff who are knowledgeable about Asian ingredients, sauces and dishes. Products found inside the supermarket will include fresh produce and meats, an open kitchen with ready-to-serve hot foods including traditional Chinese take-away specialties, Cantonese BBQ, RWA beef and pork, hot pot, sushi, fresh bakery and a juice bar.
  
  Meiga will cater to Asian food enthusiasts who are looking for a unique grocery shopping experience as well as consumers who wish to explore and discover new ways of cooking and appreciating Asian foods.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy Celebration

• Where: Floata Seafood Restaurant, #400 – 180 Keefer St., Vancouver
• When: January 28th, 2024, 11:30am – 2:30pm
• Details: Gung Haggis 2024 is a celebration including great food, music and poetry! The menu includes: a selection of dim sum including deep-fried haggis wonton dumplings, traditional Scottish haggis served with a traditional Chinese-Canadian lettuce wrap, Chinese chicken wings, chow mein/long life noodles and an authentic dessert option. Tickets are available for individual purchase or for a table of eight – starting at $60 per guest. Learn more and purchase your ticket here.

Dine Out Vancouver Festival Events

Canada’s largest food and drink celebration, Dine Out Vancouver Festival returns for its 22nd year with more restaurants than ever before! Offering menus from over 380 participating restaurants, along with a lineup of special events, the festival will run from January 17 to February 4, 2024. Here are a few highlights:

East Van Dumpling Fest Crawl

• Where: Vivace on the Drive (1728 Commercial Dr., Vancouver), Di Olvia Tasting Bar (2632 East Hastings St., Vancouver), Maizal (2815 Main St., Vancouver)
• When: January 17th, 2024, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
• Details: Join in on the East Van Dumpling Festival and tantalize your taste buds at several restaurants in East Vancouver to try out various kinds of dumplings. Experience different restaurants and tastes that include Chinese dumplings, to Italian Gnocchi, Nepalese momos to Mexican tamales and more. Each restaurant will be serving up tasting plates for guests to enjoy throughout the day. Reserve your ticket.

Dine Out East Van Brunch Crawl

• Where: Jamjar (2290 Commercial Dr., Vancouver), Vivace on the Drive (1728 Commercial Dr., Vancouver), Di Olvia Tasting Bar (2632 East Hastings St., Vancouver), Pizzone Pizza (848 Powell St., Vancouver), Yuan Coffee (550 Clark Dr., Vancouver)
• When: January 21st, 2024, 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Details: Very similar to the dumpling festival, Dine Out Van Fest is focusing on brunch! Visit multiple restaurants throughout the Commercial Drive and East Village neighbourhoods and have a wonderful opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and try something new for brunch! Reserve your ticket.

Asian Dumplings and Noodle Fest

• Where: Chai Ghai (562 Granville St., Vancouver), Toloache Mexican Kitchen (586 Hornby St., Vancouver)
• When: January 24th, 2024, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
• Details: As part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival, January 24th will offer another chance to try out dumplings and authentic Chinese noodle dishes and more. Learn more about participating restaurants and reserve your ticket here.

Art, Eat and Sip

• Where: City Centre Artist Lodge 2111 Main St., Vancouver
• When: January 25th, 2024, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
• Details: Art, Eat and Sip is an extraordinary night of art, eating and drinking in Mount Pleasant. Visit resident artists, taste dishes and indulge at several of the neighbourhood’s eateries and popular spots. Following your “digital map passport” as your guide, you will enjoy various dishes, small bites, sips – as well as have a chance to meet the artists, chefs, and discover everything the neighbourhood has to offer. Reserve your ticket or check out photos from the 2023 Art, Eat and Sip festival.

VIP experiences are available within each Dine Out festival experience, while tickets remain available. Learn more about the festival, other related events and what might pique your interest (and taste buds!).

Fairmont Hotel Announces New Afternoon Tea and Evening Lounge for Lunar New Year

• Where: 900 W Georgia St., Vancouver
• When: Beginning January 4th, 2024
• Details: Starting Thursday, January 4, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will introduce Lunar New Year at the Castle. It will feature Notch8’s themed Afternoon Tea and the debut of an evening lounge concept, Moonlight Lounge, inspired by The Year of the Dragon. With the room design by Koncept Designs, the salon has been brought to life as a sensory setting and a fully immersive experience from day to night. Notch8 Executive Chef Danai Hongwanishkuhl’s Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea menu will be available for $69.00 per person ($40.00 for children 12 and under) and begins with a selection of LOT 35 Tea and specialty teas. The evening portion in the Moonlight Lounge will focus on dim sum, desserts and light bites. Learn more about the menu and reserve your spot here.

Don’t forget to check out last month’s Vancouver Foodie Friday for local restaurants to add to your “must try” list. And check back in February for Foodie Friday! Be sure to tag @miss604 during your adventures or send us your own insta-worthy recommendations. There are many more spring festivals to come!