It’s been a year or two since my first visit to Joojak Restaurant. Been back twice recently. They’re a Northern Chinese hole in the wall spot right next door to Sushi Aji.
The inside is small with only 5 tables but service is sweet and run by two ladies who run the front. Nice that they bring you out water and hot tea.
The menu is split into Xian specialties, noodle soups, boiled/fried dumplings, wonton soup, soup, vegetables, main dishes, congee and special combos.
Click here to see the full menu (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
Trip #1
We dropped in on a Tuesday evening (around 7:00pm) and it was busy.
Xian pork burger (#1) ($5.50)
Pork was moist and tender. Dip in vinegar sauce for some extra flavour.
Xian lamb burger (#2) ($5.95)
Lamb had a decent cumin rub on it.
Xian cold noodle (#3) ($8.50)
With gluten, bean sprouts and sliced cucumbers. This is legit! Love the springy bite from the noodles. Everyone had a bowl of li piang on their table.
Beef & noodle soup (#10) ($9.95)
Broth is plain and simple. Beef slices were thin and tasty. I’d go with their hand pulled noodles next time.
Dumplings in spicy sour soup (#23) ($11.99)
You choose from four different dumplings; we opted for the pork and chive. You get a dozen dumplings with a solid meat to skin ratio.
The wrapper was excellent, broth was well balanced and the seaweed was a nice addition.
Steamed chicken with chili sauce (#36) ($10.99)
This is their best (aka. signature) dish. The chicken is incredibly tender, moist and flavourful. Love the sauce underneath.
There’s even bits of pickled vegetable. Wish they gave you a bowl of rice to soak up all the sauce.
Trip #2
We dropped in on a Saturday (around noon) and were the only ones there.
Xian pork burger (#1)( $5.50)
Our friends ordered one to share.
Green onion pancake (#9) ($4.50)
It’s cut into 8 pieces.
A little small but tasty.
Xian cold noodle (#4) ($8.95)
This one is with gluten, sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts and sesame paste. Solid.
Hand pulled noodle with hot chili oil (#13) ($8.95)
First time trying their Biang Biang noodles; good bite but there weren’t a ton of noodles.
Boiled dumpling with pork & bok choy (#19) ($9.95 for 12)
We opted for ours to be boiled. Dumplings are homemade and the pork filling is excellent.
Steamed chicken with chili sauce (#36) ($10.99)
Always a must order. Their chicken still reigns supreme in my opinion.
Another solid Northern Chinese spot. Will be back to try their larger main dishes.
Joojak Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joojak-Restaurant
3337 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
(604) 563-8816
CHERRY BOB-OMBS 