FAR EAST TO WEST COAST: A.BENTO TRANSPORTS THE FLAVOURS OF TAIWAN’S BELOVED COMFORT-FOOD CUISINE TO VANCOUVER
Chef/Owner Jian Zhou Reshapes Local Culinary Scene with
Modern Interpretations of Taiwanese Street Food
that are Rooted in Tradition and Shaped by Innovation
When Restaurateur and Chef Jian Zhouopened A.Bento in 2020, his goal was simple: fill a gap in Vancouver’s dining scene for authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Six years later, the restaurant has become a go-to destination for Taiwanese comfort food, now expanding beyond its Broadway location into providing hot food items at IGA and Fresh St. Market.
Zhou’s culinary journey began at a young age, before emigrating to Vancouver from China in 2009. During his time at culinary school and over shared meals with friends and fellow chefs, he came to the realization that a gap existed in the local culinary scene — there was a clear absence of a spot that served authentic Taiwanese cuisine.
Rooted in Taiwan’s vibrant night market culture, the cuisine is built around bold, shareable flavours and comforting, everyday dishes, an experience A.Bento brings to life through sizzling plates, bento boxes, and street food classics.
The dishes on A.Bento’s menu are thoughtful, balanced, reflect a sense of comfort and familiarity, and introduce locals and visitors alike to the depth and nuance of Taiwanese cuisine. From slow-braised meats to carefully composed sides, Zhou’s approach at A.Bento is guided by precision, intention, and respect for both tradition and locally sourced ingredients, leading to dishes that feel both authentic and distinctly rooted in place.
“At A.Bento, we’re trying to build a broader understanding and appreciation of Taiwanese cuisine here in Vancouver,” says Zhou, who draws constant inspiration from the city’s diverse food and beverage scene while remaining deeply connected to Taiwanese food culture.
The A.Bento menu features a wide variety of flavourful beef, chicken, pork, lamb and seafood Stir-Frys as well as Rice Dishes like Lamb Fried Rice with Sesame Oil, Hawaii-Style Fried Rice, Thai-Style Seafood Fried Rice and Shredded Pork Fried Rice, Noodle Bowls such as Night Market Codfish, Chicken or Ribeye with Black Pepper Sauce, Seafood Noodle with Crab Sauce, Taiwanese Stir-Fried Noodle with Shredded Pork and Soups (Prime Signature Chicken Soup in Casserole, Sesame Oil Chicken, Taiwanese Pork Meatball, Bamboo Shoot with Spareribs), among others.
A.Bento also serves the popular Taiwanese staple Bubble Tea, Brewed and Nitro Teas and Mocktails, pints and pitchers of Asahi draught, and Dessertslike Mango, Passion Fruit and Oreo Panna Cotta, Basque Cheesecake in Original, Bubble Tea, Cranberry and Oreo flavours and Glass Jelly with Taro Balls and Red Bean.
Of course, true to its name, one of A.Bento’s most popular items on the menu are its Classic Bento Boxes available in a variety of options such as Black Pepper Beef Brisket, White or Black Pepper Chicken Steak, Szechuan Spicy Chicken Roulade, Pork Ragu, Taiwanese Sausage, Braised Lion’s Head Meat Ball, Deep Fried Codfish and more, all served with rice and a choice of two sides.
Zhou also extends the A.Bento experience beyond the restaurant through retail partnerships with IGA and Fresh St. Market locations across Greater Vancouver where select dishes are available in their hot food self-serve sections — further establishing the brand as a growing presence in the local food landscape. The dishes are all prepared at a central commissary kitchen that Zhou launched in Richmond in March of 2024 and has been a key part of A.Bento’s expansion into retail and food service channels.
In addition, a range of frozen items, including Stir-Fried Pickles, Taiwanese Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Braised Beef Noodle (original or spicy), Pork Ragu with Quail Eggs, Ginger Duck, and White Pepper Pork Tripe Chicken Soupare available for pick-up or delivery directly from A.Bento, alongside signature house-made Chili, Fish Garlic, XO, and Crab sauces.
The frozen products and jarred sauces were initially launched to celebrate seasonal and festive events like Lunar New Year and the annual Dragon Boat Festival to help bring a stronger sense of celebration and feeling of home to its guests and have since become popular items on A.Bento’s take-away menu.
“At A.Bento, we’re building a deeper understanding of Taiwanese cuisine in Vancouver,” says Zhou. “Our dishes honour tradition while evolving to reflect the diversity of the city and the way people connect through food.”
A.Bento is open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m., with dine-in, takeout, and delivery available via Uber Eats and DoorDash. Free parking is available at the rear of the restaurant at 656 W Broadway.
To stay up to date on the latest developments at A.BENTO, follow @abento_official on Instagram.
ABOUT A.BENTO
A.BENTO offers a modern twist on traditional Taiwanese cuisine, drawing inspiration from every corner of the small yet flavour-packed nation. With extensive experience in some of Vancouver’s top kitchens, our team celebrates innovation while respecting traditional Taiwanese techniques, resulting in a uniquely Vancouver interpretation of this beloved cuisine. At the heart of its offerings are locally sourced ingredients and cherished house-made items such as its Taiwanese Sausage and signature sauces that serve as the foundation for a menu that showcases some of Taiwan’s most beloved dishes, with a particular focus on the delightful and shareable fare found in night markets and on street stalls.
656 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1
Hours: Lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Dinner daily from 5 to 9 p.m.
Web: abento.ca
Email: info@nullabento.ca
Phone: 604-423-9585