Vancouver Coquitlam Korean Food Guide: 4 Restaurants Reviewed

During my recent trip to Vancouver, my friends insisted that Coquitlam is the place for authentic Korean food—and they weren’t wrong! The area is packed with Korean restaurants, all looking legit. Sadly, my stomach has limits, so I only tried four spots (three in Coquitlam, one downtown). Here’s my honest take! 1️⃣ Bambada (밤바다) – The Viral Clam Rice Spot 📍 Coquitlam Must-Order: Clam Rice Bowl (조개밥) – Deconstructed Korean stone pot rice with crispy burnt bits, spicy marinated clams, and greens. Wrap it in seaweed—so good! ⚠️ Skip: Other dishes were just okay (though their seafood hotpot looks promising). Verdict: Worth it for the clam rice alone—Instagram-worthy and delicious! 2️⃣ Jinmi (진미) – Upscale Raw Seafood & Banchan 📍 Coquitlam What We Tried: • Soy-Marinated Crab (간장게장, $55): Fresh but too mild—missed that "rice thief" intensity. • Spicy Raw Shrimp (매운새우장, $21): Good value (7 shrimp!), but sauce overpowered the shrimp’s sweetness. ✅ Highlights: • Premium ingredients (fancy seaweed, high-quality sesame oil). • $148 Seafood Set—great for groups. Verdict: Aesthetic & fresh, but flavors could be bolder. 3️⃣ House of Tofu Soup – Reliable but Not Mind-Blowing 📍 Coquitlam • Friend’s pick for "best tofu soup in Vancouver"—it’s decent, but nothing beats BCD Tofu House (or Bay Area spots). • Good for: Cheap, quick, comforting. 4️⃣ Passion8 Dessert Café – Must-Try Shaved Ice 📍 Coquitlam Must-Order: Injeolmi Bingsu (인절미빙수) – Sweet soybean powder + chewy rice cakes + red bean. Perfect small portion (a rare win for solo eaters!). Verdict: Best dessert of the trip—light, not too sweet. Final Thoughts ✅ Best for Flavor: Bambada’s clam rice. ✅ Best for Vibes: Jinmi (fancy but pricey). ✅ Best Dessert: Passion8’s bingsu. #VancouverKoreanFood #CoquitlamEats #FoodieAdventures