Taste the World

Vancouver's multicultural restaurant scene is a haven for foodies seeking diverse flavors

- JENNIFER H. CUNNINGHAM

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, nestled between the North Shore mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and proximity to the outdoors.

However, the verdant Pacific Northwest city, home to approximately 700,000 people, has also earned a reputation as a haven for foodies, driven by its proximity to the ocean, its unique terroir, its longstanding viticulture and its chefs' commitment to celebrating the region's local bounty through in-season eating.

But that's just half the story, according to Vancouver chef Alex Kim.

“Vancouver’s food scene stands out for its seamless multiculturalism and constant innovation,” Kim, the executive chef of Vancouver’s Five Sails restaurant and the recent winner of the Canadian Culinary Championship, told Newsweek. “The city is a true melting pot, where chefs blend global flavors—especially Asian and European influences—with the best local, seasonal ingredients from British Columbia’s land and sea.”

Growing up in Seoul, Kim said his relatives steeped him in a cultural culinary tradition where food was the center of his household and community life. Kim said his earliest memories are of shopping in the South Korean capital’s bustling markets, followed by watching as his family took great care to prepare the dishes, serving them with a flourish of hospitality. He translates that experience into his work in the kitchen by creating dishes that are inventive, yet personal, and encourages his team to experiment with ingredients, techniques and presentation.

“At Five Sails, I draw on this diverse background to create dishes that are both innovative and deeply personal,” Kim said. “I love incorporating Korean elements—like fermentation, pickling and bold flavors—into contemporary Pacific Northwest cuisine.”