Bubble 88

     Bubble 88 is really hard to find. I'm talking really hard to find, since I've lived here for years and only learnt about it late last year. Heck, I only know about it because my mom told me about it. After a couple of visits, I finally decided to do a blog post about it. This Taiwanese spot is hidden in a strip mall behind the RBC bank in Whalley. The prices are decent, although the drinks are slightly expensive, but not insanely high. However, the food is pretty good, and the serve people of all ages, although there are a lot of students around. 

       The first item we got was off the drink menu, the passionfruit slush for $5. It was acceptable, not great nor awful.  The ice was fine and it was drinkable, although the flavors seemed artificial, but what do you expect in rainy Vancouver. It can be hard. This probably wasn't the best thing to order, but hot off our tropical vacation, we decided why not? 

     






 Moving on to the appetizer, which was the Popcorn Chicken. These little morsels were tender and moist on the inside while boasting a nice crispy exterior. The flavors were there, and it didn't overpower the chicken in anyway. They kept the skin on, which I personally enjoyed. However, it is not the way all people like the dish, so be wary. The portion side was good for $5.50, although it does not seem like it in the picture. I would give it a 4/5. 

        Since no one was particularly hungry, we decided to share only 2 entrees. The first was the Deep Fried Porkchop in Curry at $9. There was a decent amount or rice, porkchop, and potatoes under all of that sauce. The sauce itself was very good, and had some spice to it, while still letting you taste the curry flavors. It went well with everything under it, despite the rice which ran out quickly. The porkchop was a disappointment, being overcooked and lacking crunch after being under the sauce. Despite the curry's attempts to moisten it up, it was stringy and hard to bite. the potatoes were average, being like normal boiled potatoes. Still, they went well. At 3/5 in my book. 

        The next entree ended up being the customizable Noodles with Black Pepper Sauce for $11. Actually, you don't actually need to get the Taiwanese Noodles or Udon, as there is also a rice option. You can also chose between beef, chicken, deep fried pork, or deep fried fish. We went with the beef and Taiwanese noodles. This dish comes on a large plate with lots of sauce, and meat on top of the noodles. This was disappointing, as the  beef was rather overcooked, being stringy and tough. The noodles were well cooked, but the sauce it was covered in tasted as if it were canned, and didn't go well with everything. This unmemorable dish earned it a 2/5.

Bottom Line: Hit and Miss
Tip: Meats are Overcooked
Overall: 3/5