 |
If you were to create a Venn diagram where one circle was labeled "cheap" and the other labeled "awesome", the middle point where they cross over could be labeled "Vancouver on the Cheap". In other words, this is a weekly series on things to do and places to go in Vancouver that fall into that magical category of being both cheap and awesome. |
There are many Mongolian Grill-style restaurants in Vancouver, and they are all essentially exactly the same: get a bowl, fill it with the raw ingredients and sauces, and then watch as they use their high-temperature mega-skillet to cook it up in a jiffy. Very exciting stuff. (That sounds sarcastic, but I actually mean it! It's fun!) They also are pretty darn cheap for a meal out.
My favourite is Great Han Mongolie BBQ, located at Main & 15th, with their $6.99 lunch special. The deal includes a large bowl of grilled goods, a small bowl of rice, a small bowl of soup, and a salad. Word from the wise: the soup is a sort of sweet and sour flavour, so if that's not your thing (as is the case for me) you can save yourself some trouble and not eat it. They've also got a $3 bottle of beer available for a cheap malted beverage.
If you can't make it for lunch, Great Han has a pretty decently priced dinner: $12.99 all you can eat, or if you get your dinner to go, it's only $7.99. Pro tip: go mid-afternoon for a late lunch. It will fill you up for the evening and you can skip the pricier dinner!
The grill in action!
When you arrive at Great Han (or really any Mongolian grill-style restaurant, as they're all eerily similar, down the the lettering used on the buffet), expect to find a long buffet complete with frozen meat shavings, veggies, tofu, and sauces. Just grab yourself a bowl and fill 'er up with whatever strikes your fancy. There's always a guide posted by the sauces for common flavours (ginger, sweet and sour, teriyaki), or just mix it up and have fun. Then leave your bowl on the counter beside the man with the giant grill and go sit down. The waitress will bring you your bowl when its ready, as well as your complimentary sides. These will most definitely include rice and soup. Dinner usually also includes tea and little puffed chip things (very tasty).
Check them out!
Great Han Mongolian BBQ
3043 Main Street
