A Burnaby street food vendor has been going strong for 20 years in the exact same location — underneath a staircase in the busy commuter neighbourhood of Burquitlam.
Kim's Korean Waffles and Pancakes has fired up its griddle and cast-iron wheel as of Sept. 15 at Hannam Market, located at 4501 North Rd.
This, just in time to warm up local residents, foodies and commuters for the fall and winter months of 2023 and 2024 as the local "hidden gem" is closed during the summer.
According to Kim's, the business prides itself on providing "inexpensive" street food options, bungeoppang (waffles) and hotteok (pancakes), for those on-the-go and that everything is fresh to order.
As Burquitlam is known as Metro Vancouver's Koreatown hub, the waffles and pancakes are also a call back to the homeland.
"A common winter street scene in Korea is that of food carts selling bungeoppang [waffles] on street corners.... the taste is always a crowd-pleaser," Kim's website reads.
"For many Koreans, the sight of freshly baked bungeoppang and its sweet aroma wafting through the crisp winter air is a signal that winter has truly arrived."
The waffles, served in the shape of a fish, are made by pour flour dough into the mold. They're typically served with a red-bean filling.
The pancakes are made with glutinous rice flour filled with brown sugar and cinnamon, hand-pressed and lightly cooked on the mobile griddle.
For those craving a savoury snack, the street eats can also be stuffed with vegetables.
Prices are $1.50 per waffle and $2.50 per pancake. Patrons feeling extra hungry can get four waffles for $5 or five pancakes for $10.
Kim's Korean Waffles and Pancakes is set up at Hannam Market 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and is open an extra hour later, 7 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, including pick-up requests for larger orders, you can visit the business' website.
