I did not know that they had a second location. After introducing my partner to their crab noodles, as an alternative to his go-to of bun bo hue, he has craved Hoang Yen Bun Cha Ca several times since. And on each occasion we have travelled all the way to their Victoria Drive restaurant. This happens to be a common occurrence, given that Vietnamese is his favourite cuisine. So it is so nice to learn that we now don’t have to leave Burnaby to check off that craving.
Their Burnaby branch is a smaller location that is easy to spot on the corner. There is free parking underground, if you can find any in the one way lot. It is easier to wait after 8pm and grab a free spot by the meters a block down.
This location is much like the original, where you can smell the beef broth even before you enter. The restaurant is decorated with the same logo and collection of painted traditional Vietnamese pointed hats. And there is even a small water feature right at the door, given the space restrictions.
Each table hosts a caddy collection of self serve condiments and utensils. Helpful considering the staff isn’t all that attentive and the experience does revolve around speedy service.
We naturally ordered their popular Bun Rieu Special Crab Soup with Vermicelli noodle, tofu, Vietnamese pork ham, pork leg, and shrimp in their special crab soup. I love the variety to sort through and the assortment of textures they and including mince meat and entire quarters of tomato. There appeared to be so much more broth and flavour than I remembered today. Perhaps just for this location?
Although, as always, not enough noodles. To the point that we now automatically order an additional portion on the side, to add in after we are finished the original and there is still so much soup and meat left behind. It would be nice for them to offer a free noodle refill on this, like other chain restaurants do, as I am sure we are not the only ones noticing this. This is buttery on the lips, a sweet and tangy soup. A one of a kind broth that I have not seen else where, and ideal on this cold and rainy weather.
Looking for a change of taste with a different noodle soup we went for their Pho Tal, Nam, Gan, Sach. Beef pho with Rare Beef, Well-done Beef Flank, Tendon, Tripe, and Rice Noodle in another of their housemade Soups. Once again more richness in flavour than what I was expecting.
This has to be one of the most impactful beef pho broths that I have ever had. If you can get past the viscous oils that linger on your lips and have you wiping your mouth after every sip, it warms you inside outside. With fatty and thin slices of beef that melts and creamy tendon that dissolves. Great on its own, but coming back to this from the crab soup, you will need the table sauces to spruce things up.
And despite it being past 8, we also grabbed our usual Vietnamese ice coffee because we like the flavour.
Be warned they do close at 9pm, whereas I believe they are opened later at Victoria Drive.
In short I am sure we will be back.
Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen Burnaby
4883 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4T5
(604) 564-7988
bunchacahoangyen.com
