Vancouver's streets are transforming into a mesmerizing sea of delicate pink petals: It's cherry blossom season!
Beyond the breathtaking blooms, all around the city right now you'll find a delectable array of special menus, tantalizing cocktails, and delightful treats artfully crafted to celebrate one of the most enchanting times of year.
"It’s such a beautiful time of year, especially when it’s warm enough to sit under the sakura trees,” says Betty Hung, who co-owns Beaucoup Bakery with her brother Jacky Hung. To mark the season, Beaucoup is among the many Vancouver businesses presenting beautiful limited-edition menu items. “Our new Sakura Collection is great for early picnics under the tree or to take home as a surprise for friends and family," adds Hung.
Over at Miku, creating a sakura season kaiseki set is particularly fun for head chef Martin Simicek. “We’re always looking to excite and surprise our guests with each rendition of our tasting menu, and this is definitely one of my favourites – a great way to start a new season," he shares.
Here are several special cherry blossom-themed dishes, sweets, and drinks, along with some food-centric events all about springtime and "sakura season" in the city.
The Jungle Room
The West End's Jungle Room will be infusing its room of lush, tropical foliage with the spirit of spring's stunning cherry blossoms with two dishes for the season. Available from Friday, March 29 through Sunday, April 28, The Jungle Room will have a Torched A5 Wagyu Nigiri (2 pieces/$30) with sakura denbu, cod roe mayo, garlic and ginger XO, and sambal ponzu as well as a Cherry Mousse Daifuku ($16) featuring matcha moss, chocolate branches, sakura powder.
Beaucoup Bakery
Both locations of the Vancouver bakery and café are offering guests their Sakura Collection. Experience hanami (flower viewing) while savouring several new, limited-edition sweet treats, all inspired by Vancouver’s iconic cherry blossom season, as well as the return of one of Beaucoup’s greatest hits – the Cheese Ramen Croissant. Available now through April 14, the collection includes the following:
- Hanami Set ($10.95 per set) includes a drink and treat – iced hojicha latte with sea salt foam and a mini dorayaki with cherry blossom ganache
- Ichigo Matcha Opera ($8.95 per slice; whole cakes available for pre-order), featuring matcha ganache, strawberry cream, and a matcha-infused joconde cake
- Cheese Ramen Croissant ($7.95) is a French-Japanese creation with ramen, bechamel, butter shoyu corn, gruyere, and cheddar.
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
Yuwa's Cherry Blossom Dish is called Sakura Mushi, and it features: Domyoji sticky rice, Sakuradai snapper, Sakura-Ebi, rice cracker bits, Sakura leaf, salt-cured sakura blossom, and Gin-an thickened dashi. The special dish's two seafood ingredients (Sakuradai Snapper and Sakura-Ebi) are named for sakura because their seasons align with when the cherry blossoms bloom.
Notch 8
For its spring Afternoon Tea, Notch 8 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is awash in a sea of stunning pink blossoms. Their Cherry Blossom tea is available to enjoy Wednesday through Sunday from now through May 26, with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. (Note: the tea is not available March 30 and 31.) Special tea dishes include the sakura pork katsu sandwich, aburi salmon, green tea financier, and sakura chiffon shortcake roll.
Anh and Chi
Main Street's lively modern Vietnamese spot is offering a cherry blossom-themed cocktail created by their talented Bar Manager, Chelsea McNabb. Called "Hoa anh đào," the drink is available now through April 30 and is comprised of Suntory whiskey, green tea umeshu, Sakura black tea raspberry syrup, egg white, lemon, and Angostura bitters. A vegan version is available.
Miku
Miku is celebrating sakura season with a new Sakura Kaiseki, available during dinner service from March 29 to April 14. Created by head chef Martin Simicek and pastry chef Isabelle Valencia, the multi-course menu features a medley of flavours inspired by the annual flowering of cherry blossom trees and is priced at $180 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Courses include a Smoked Tai Crudo, Seasonal Sakura Sushi Selection, and Strawberry Chamomile Mousse. The restaurant has a pair of special seasonal sips: "Sakura Culture" (Kizuna Sake, Kuroki Honten Shochu Yamasaki, and rose umeshu) and "U no Hana" (pisco, Odd Society crème de cassis, yuzu, rose umeshu, egg whites, and cherry cedar bitters).
Dockside Restaurant
The team at Dockside is celebrating cherry blossom season with special dessert and cocktail features available March 30 to April 25. From the bar, a Sakura Sour (Roku Gin, plum wine, cinnamon cordial, lemon juice and egg white) and for a sweet finish, the Cherry Blossom Dessert (chocolate entremets cake, chocolate praline, dark chocolate mousse, beetroot crumble, cotton candy cherry blossom tree with assorted berries).
Smitty’s Oyster House on Main Street
Smitty’s has created a cocktail feature: the Cherry Springer Sour (vodka; maraschino syrup; fresh lemon and lime juice; simple syrup), which is priced at $15 and is available for the month of April.
Sushi Master Hoshi is offering a special Sakura Roll (avocado, fresh crab, scallop, tobiko, and sockeye sashimi) for $24.50 and a Sake Sangria (orange juice, sake, plum wine and Triple Sec.) $14.50. These two special features will be available at the popular Granville Island restaurant now through April 25.
The Victor
The Victor at Parq in Downtown Vancouver is welcoming the Cherry Blossom Festival with a special sakura season menu that’s available daily from March 29 to April 25. Dishes include a special Sakura sushi roll, a Blushing Matcha Tiramisu dessert, and the "Hana-No-Ami" cocktail made with sake, cherry liqueur, and pink grapefruit tonic.
Special Vancouver events during cherry blossom season
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival
Making its debut this year is Metro Van's first-ever Cherry Blossom Food Festival. Nearly a dozen restaurants and cafes in Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby have signed up and will offer specially created cherry blossom-inspired treats, including Elephant Garden Creamery, Daigyo, and Takenaka. "Festival goers can expect Instagram-worthy festival items like parfaits, iced beverages, and snacks - all decked out with that beautiful cherry blossom light pink colour," describe festival organizers.
The Big Picnic
One of the official Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's signature events is the Big Picnic, which offers the chance to as gather under the 100 Akebono cherry trees at David Lam Park. This year, the event will feature new activities and installations including BreakOUT - a group dance/movement activity, a "Poetry in Motion" booth, paper fan decorating, Wishing Tree, drum circles, and more. The event is rain or shine, and you can BYO picnic blanket and food, or purchase food on-site from vendors like Taco Nori, House of Yee, the Coffee Bike, Disco Cheetah, Jerk Shack, Planted Love, La Glace Ice Cream, and Gary's Kettle Korn. The Big Picnic is Saturday, March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sakura Days Japan Fair
Taking place on the weekend of April 13 and 14, the VCBF's Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen Botanical Garden is a popular draw for anyone who loves spring flowers and foliage, family-friendly fun, and lots of food. "Experience the vibrant culture of Japan right here in Vancouver. Indulge in delicious Japanese cuisine, sip on premium sake, and immerse yourself in traditional tea ceremonies. Enjoy captivating performances including taiko drumming and theatre acts, and explore a wide array of vendors showcasing Japanese food, crafts, and more." This year there are more food vendors than in previous years, too!
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