The Urban Thai Bistro (1119 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-408-7788, located in the downtown Yaletown restaurant and shopping district) offers one of the best lunch specials in the neighborhood. For around $7.50 you can get a salad, spring roll, and a tasty entree such as spicy chicken with green beans (pictured below), with rice. The attractive prices and yummy food attract big crowds - a good reason to arrive just before 12 noon, so you can be sure to get a table. The dinner menu has a more expanded selection but the prices are still quite reasonable. (For more photos of Urban Thai Bistro, view: Part 1.)

Kiroshiu Sushi Express is a small takeout sushi restaurant on the Granville strip downtown, across from the Cellar Night Club, next door to the Megabite Pizza (at Granville and Nelson in Vancouver, BC, Canada).

Prices are very reasonable: I ordered 12 pieces of maki for $5.25 including tax (pictured below). You can also get a sushi burrito for about $2.00 (click here for a photo of the Sushi Burrito). If you’re looking for a fast sushi fix and you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by Kiroshiu Sushi Express.

Tropika (web site, 1128 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-737-6002) is one of Vancouver’s most popular Malaysian and Thai restaurants. Located in the heart of the trendy downtown Robson Street shopping district, Tropika is a good sized restaurant with modern, upscale decor, but more importantly, really outstanding food.

Pictured below are the satays (meat skewer appetizers, $1.20 each), roti canai (Malay bread, $2.95), Hainanese chicken (half chicken, $12.95), pineapple fried rice with ham and chicken ($12.95), and a special drink: coconut juice served in a fresh coconut. We had a large group (9 people) and made reservations a few days in advance. The serving staff and kitchen handled our group flawlessly and we enjoyed the flavors of the dishes very much.

Two other locations of Tropika Restaurant in Vancouver are: Tropika at Cambie (2975 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-879-6002) and Tropika at Aberdeen (Unit 1830, Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond, BC, Canada, phone 604-233-7002)

Beef, chicken, lamb, and pork satay skewers ($1.20 each)

Roti Canai (Malay Bread, $2.95) – this was really puffy and tasted great with the accompanying sauce.

Hainanese Chicken (Half $12.95)

Pineapple Fried Rice with Ham and Chicken ($12.95)

Coconut Juice – served in a real coconut!