In all honesty, we walked into this one thinking it was a food court stall located with in Burnaby’s Chinese centric, Crystal Mall. However, what we got was a delightful restaurant with its own exterior entrance, and a well-lit setting to enjoy a home spun, comfort combo within.
Growing up in the area of being very familiar with the mall, we had every intention of going in and simply taking the out to avoid the loud and slightly dingy food court.
Instead, we were greeted with a very neat and clean shop. An easy to spot shop when driving past, due to its bold orange colouring and their fish mascot, waving you in.
Inside, despite it being a full sit down service, there is a counter where you can order from. This set up did look like your typical food court option. We decided to enjoy our meal hot within, translating our server’s suggestion to take a set anywhere, in Mandarin. After doing so, any one of the servers will come and take your order, from off of their large laminated menu. I like that there was not one dedicated person assigned to help you, that whoever was available would pick up the slack.
New to this kind of cuisine we decided to go for one of their combos. There are both one person and two person combos. For the individual combos there are 2 possibilities and additional options within each. Each comes with your choice of signature main accompanied by two additional ingredients of your choosing to be added right in, a drink, and a deep-fried side. You just double everything for the combo that serves two.
Seeing as this was our first time, we had to try their signature fish and sauerkraut stew. This was heavily advertised, and apparently what they are known for. It features basa fish, a soft and drier whitefish in your choice of broth.
We went for the green pepper corn soup that came with its familiar numbing tingle. To it we requested black woodear fungus and sweet potato noodles. This was a warming bowl, plenty of food for two, despite the fact that the combo is intended for one. Despite the oil slick surface, it did eat a little leaner. There was no hiding or mistaking the individual flavours of each ingredient. Served with rice I did find it a little plain. However, when enjoyed in conjunction with our chosen, deep fried side, we enjoyed it a lot more.
The standard side is a sweet deep fried glutinous rice cake. But you can upgrade it at an additional cost. You can make it a meatier chicken, pork, or squid; which we did.
Seeing as we had two combos, we went for the deep-fried squid and the classic deep-fried chicken nuggets. Each fried dry without any residual oil. Crispy and crunchy you dip these into a collection of dry and spicy numbing seasonings. Both similar and temperament, but varying in levels of salt, heat, and tingling numbing effect.
Between the two, I prefer the squid for its long tentacled texture. A little on the hard to chew through side, but I found its garlicky flavour most complementary to the rest of the meal.
Whereas the popcorn chicken was a lot more flavourful and definitely over powered any bite it was taken with. A little dry with extra thick breading, but well seasoned with a good amount of salt.
With all these punchier flavours, a palate washing beverage is in order. Your meal comes with complementary hot tea that the servers are quick to refill for you. Altgough the combo also includes your choice of classic Hong Kong cafe milk tea and/or lemon tea.
We ordered one classic creamy milk tea, and one refreshing lemon brewed ice tea. Both did their respective jobs, cleansing the palate in between bites.
For our second “super value combo” we went with the other option either Snakehead fish or beef in either a Tomato or onion soup base. Wanting to contrast our first pick we went with the sweeter “princess tomato” option. Plus I am a fan of anything tomato related. As expected, this was sweeter and more savoury. It was best enjoyed with the bowl of steamed white rice as a base to soak up all acidity and flavour.
What looks like broth was actually a thick syrupy sauce, almost similar to hot pot style. It fully coated, the thin slices of beef, once again similar to hot pot. Alongside, a few slices of tofu and tomatoes, as well as our chosen additional ingredients of enoki mushrooms and vermicelli; this was a filling bowl that also made for great leftover. With the addition of noodles for both mains, it alone really felt like a fulsome meal, even though you actually get so much more from the combo. Once again marketed for one, but enough food to fill two.
We were impressed by how fast the food came out and how caring and attentive the staff were. Once again the space was neat and hygienic feeling with all its white surfaces, warming lights, and decorative playful speckles. We felt safe and comfortable in the setting. Not the typical type of food we would gravitate towards, but a great option and one I am glad to have tried for a breezy dining experience.
鱼你在一起Fish With You Burnaby
下饭酸菜鱼fish pot
4500 Kingsway #1233, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A9
(604) 419-4567
fishwithyouca.com
