If it feels like Richmondโs food courts are getting flooded with Hong Kongโstyle cafes latelyโฆ youโre not wrong.
The surge in popularity of cha chaan teng-style stalls, especially ones like Cha Don at Empire Centre, is clearly encouraging more operators to take a chance.
And the latest one just popped up inside the semi-hidden Pacific Plaza food court.
Say hello to Wasan Cafe, a no-frills Hong Kong-style stall that quietly soft opened earlier this month.
Tucked in the second-floor food court (the same one thatโs seen slower foot traffic ever since Carโs Dessert left), Wasan is hoping to revive some energy with its menu of comfort fare and wallet-friendly pricing.
At a time when most food court prices are creeping past the $13โ15 range, Wasan and other similar concepts keep most items under $10.
That’s likely the allure.
On the menu, youโll find all the usual suspects: satay beef with rice noodles, deep-fried pork chops with eggs and toast, baked rice plates with pork or chicken chops, and classic pineapple buns (with or without butter).
Thereโs also Canton-style dry noodles with pork hock, beef brisket, and even liver and prawn roe combos.
Breakfast sets hover around $6.50 to $10, while the baked rice and dry noodle plates sit between $12.50 and $14.
We tried the satay beef noodle soup, our go-to order at any HK-style stall.
Rich, slightly peppery broth, tender beef slices, and thin rice vermicelli that soaked it all up.
Nothing fancy, but exactly what you want from a comfort meal.
And it came with a cold drink too.
Inside, the space has that low-key, practical vibe that all these food court stalls do: counter service, laminated menus, and a tiny kitchen pumping out a surprisingly large variety of dishes.
Pacific Plaza has definitely been quieter in recent months compared to the activity over at Empire Centre or Yaohan.
But Wasan joins a small new wave of openings in Richmond including Yaohan Cha Don, Shanghai Winning Baozi, and Chahalo.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 8888 Odlin Crescent Unit 2170, Richmond, BC V6X 3Z8