Asian desserts in Vancouver
Vancouver is known for having a diverse food scene (desserts included!), and sometimes it can be hard to choose what to eat. There are a variety of different kinds of Asian dessert places in the city for those with an adventurous sweet tooth. Local specialty spots range from dine-in restaurants to on-the-go snacking options and takeout sweets – perfect for all of your dessert needs!
PappaRoti Coffee
1505 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C3Did you know that PappaRoti Coffee is actually a Malaysian chain that started in 2003? Currently, the Vancouver location is the only one in Canada. It’s known for its Roti bun, which is round in shape with a light fluffy texture. You can also purchase drinks such as coffees and teas here for your morning wake-up boost. PappaRoti is open daily until 11:00 pm and has plenty of seating, so it’s also a great place to catch up with friends.
Konbiniya
1238 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C1Konbiniya is actually a Japanese convenience store with LOTS of Asian (mostly Japanese) snacks for purchase, but if you go inside you will find that they also sell assorted crepes and parfaits. There is some seating so you can eat inside or take away your treats. What’s nice about this place is that there’s a walk-up window along the street where you can purchase desserts on the go! It’s perfect place to get delicious-yet-quick snacks while shopping along Robson Street.
Chicco Dall Oriente
1504 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C2Chicco Cafe is a hidden gem along Robson Street. The small and cozy Japanese store sells assorted baked goods such as cakes and cookies as well as gelato parfaits topped with fruit and other sweet goodies. They have desserts for dine-in customers as well as packaged snacks for takeout. If you’re ever looking for an Asian cake (they’re generally lighter and fluffier than standard North American cakes), Chicco keeps several on hand, or you can call in and have them custom made.
Orange Corner
2257 41st Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6M 2A3If you’ve got a group of friends who can’t decide between sweet or savoury snacks on a late night out, this is the perfect place to go. Orange Corner is a Taiwanese snack shop that is open until midnight throughout the week. The menu features crepes in savoury and sweet varieties and a number of specialty drinks, including traditional Taiwanese bubble tea flavours and fresh fruit smoothies for the health conscious.
Shishinori Japanese Eatery
2328 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2T8Shishinori is actually a Japanese restaurant with a full food menu, but their dessert menu deserves a mention here – particularly their parfaits. It’s one of the few restaurants out there that not only has great food, but great sweet options as well. If you’re ever looking for a place to get dinner AND dessert, this is the place to go. The parfaits are wonderfully delicious and super cute; the fruits and cookies in the parfaits are cut into assorted shapes, such as hearts and stars.
Laxcifa International Trading Inc
5556 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3A2Located on Cambie Street near the Oakridge 41st Skytrain station, Mimibuloveme is a Japanese dessert place that specializes in parfaits. It’s small so it can be quite busy at times, but if you ever find yourself in the area, it is a great place to get parfaits in large portions. Seriously, the parfait cups are huge! Since its small, it would be a great place to come with a small group of friends.
New Town Bakery & Restaurant
148 Pender St E, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3Locally famous for its apple tarts, this Chinese and Filipino bakery and restaurant serves an variety of Asian baked goods ranging from savoury to sweet. It’s a great place to get cheap and delicious baked goods and many buns are just under $2. These types of baked goods are commonly bought and eaten as breakfast in Asian families, though you can snack on them any time of the day to satisfy your carb cravings. If you’re extra hungry, they also serve meals at the on site restaurant.
Doolami Dessert
8030 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6P 4Z4Doolami is a Chinese dessert shop in the Marpole area that has caught onto Vancouver’s health obsession. It specializes in ice cream, but serves other types of dessert as well. All of their ice cream is handmade with natural ingredients and real fruit. Scoops can be eaten in-house, or purchased to take away in pint-sized mason jars. If you’re feeling adventurous, they also serve desserts made with traditional Asian flavors such as durian, taro and red bean.
Beard Papa's
548 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7Giant cream puffs anyone? Beard Papa’s is a Japanese chain with many franchises all over the world, including Canada. It’s known for having the best cream puffs in the world so if you love these sweet treats, this is surely the place for you. Their cream puffs are pretty large in size and quite deliciously creamy with many different flavors. If cream puffs aren’t for you, they also have a selection of other desserts such as mango shaved ice or cheesecake. There are several locations in the Greater Vancouver Area including Robson Street and inside Aberdeen Centre in Richmond.
H-Mart
200-550 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7Make a quick stop at this downtown grocery store and you’ll find yourself inside the bakery section just at the entrance. The H-Mart bakery specializes in Korean baked goods and stocks different types of breads and cakes. It’s a great place for a quick meet-up with a friend (they have limited, but usually vacant, seating along the window) or to stock up on baked goods. If you’re ever in need of a cake, they have an assortment of cute cakes at the counter. I mean, have you ever seen an apple shaped cake before?
Moii Cafe Cambie
506-3162 Riverwalk Ave, Vancouver, BC V5S 0B7If you’re ever looking for a good dessert place to study or work at, check out Moii Café located just on the corner of Broadway and Cambie across from the Broadway-City Hall Skytrain station. This is a brightly lit café (large windows!) with an variety of bubble teas and crepes. They often also have fresh fruit smoothies available. It has a nicely decorated, spacious interior with plenty of seating, so you’re bound to find a place to sit and work. Additionally, they have free Wi-Fi for all of you who need to get work done while dining out.
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