Eaters Gotta Eat: DD Mau Co-Owner Kim Tran’s Fave Eats Around Town

Fresh, casual Vietnamese may be the cuisine of choice at Kim Tran’s beloved Chinatown restaurant, DD Mau, but when she’s eating her way around the city it gets wonderfully varied. Add some of her picks to your summer ‘must-dine’ list, then do yourself a favour and pop DD Mau’s fun and tasty DJ nights on there, too.

Aiyaohno Cafe

425 Carrall St.
“This is my hidden gem—literally! It’s one of those if-you-know-you-know spots,” says Tran. This all-but-hidden lunch spot requires buzz-in access; once in, you’ve got a few tables, the freshest lunch food and “the nicest couple running it.” Tran’s order? A matcha latte and the sesame chilli shirataki mazesoba, made with Konjac seaweed noodles and a light vinaigrette. 

Nemesis 

Various Locations
“I usually hit the Great Northern Way location for a cappuccino and The Queen [a caramelized croissant bundle topped with sea salt flakes]; I get so upset when it’s sold out. I’m looking forward to checking out the interiors of Dope Bakehouse in North Van, too, and I loved the churro donut at the Surrey location.”

READ MORE: Nemesis Founder Jess Reno’s Fave Places to Eat

Vallarta’s 

2891 E. Broadway
Tucked into a strip mall, this is the very definition of a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot. “We love Mexican food! I love anything lengua (beef tongue) or tripa (tripe); two of each of those tacos and I’m good.”

Saunter Coffee

321 W Pender St.
“Recently I had an amazing iced orange coffee latte—they described it to me like a coffee creamsicle, and that’s what sold me on it.” She likes sitting in the quiet back alcove that opens to a little sky-lit corner. “It feels like you’re in between buildings and not in the city anymore.”

Chinatown BBQ 

130 E Pender St.
“You always feel like family when you walk in here.” It’s virtually across the street from DD Mau, too, so it also happens to be a great spot for staff meals. “We’ll take the whole team there when we finish our meetings on Sunday.” 

Golden Smell Mee & Fat Mao

142 E. Pender St. & 217 E. Georgia St.
Other neighbourhood hot spots for staff meals or a quick lunch? Tran likes Golden Smell Mee, a new Malaysian-Singaporean spot from the same owners of BKH Jerky, and the much-loved noodle soup house Fat Mao, where Tran’s getting the hot and sour pork noodles. 

READ MORE: Fat Mao Wins ‘Best Casual’ at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards

Niwa

1875 Powell St.
“I was really looking forward to this opening because we love Chef Darren (Gee). We kind of followed him everywhere after we saw him butcher a whole pig at an Ai and Om Knives event.” The menu changes all the time, but when Tran went the perfectly sticky chicken wings and daikon salad stood out. 

Sushi Jin 

750 Nelson St.
This intimate, high-end omakase bar is tiny and Michelin-recommended. “This is our family favourite. When we want a real treat, we’ll book out the whole bar.”

Meo

265 E. Pender
“I don’t drink anymore, but I still enjoy being at a cocktail bar—the atmosphere, the vibe. I love Meo’s non-alcoholic Paloma. For me it has always been a challenge to find worthy non-alcoholic cocktails because often it just ends up tasting like… a pineapple soda! I like to say to people, don’t be afraid to suggest a cocktail bar to your friends that don’t drink, especially one with accolades. It can be nice to splurge at a place that can do a proper mocktail.”

READ MORE: Long Live the Snack Bar! Reviewing Meo and Good Thief

The Drive Canteen 

1111 Commercial Dr.
“On that note, The Drive Canteen has the best non-alcoholic bottle options.” Tran’s buying Edenvale from Australia, a sparkling shiraz that reminds her of a lambrusco. “It’s on the sweeter side, but it reminds me of the botanicals and the tannins.”

88 Supermarket

Multiple Locations
“For Southeast Asian groceries, I love this place. Their meat department has unique items like beef tendon and pork belly already portioned out, they have fresh and frozen free-range chicken, and there’s also a seafood department.”

Psst—One More…

Another favourite of hers: Eluvian. “If you know you know,” she says. “I can’t say anything more than that!” Sworn to secrecy, neither can we…