Contributor
Food & Drink Correspondent
Isabelle Moreau writes on restaurants, producers and the kitchens shaping regional taste.
SINGAPORE —The 2026 Michelin Guide's elevation of AnnaLena to two stars in Vancouver reflects broader dynamics in how culinary recognition shapes food scenes across the Asia-Pacific.
SINGAPORE —The opening of Linh Noodle Bar in Vancouver reveals the complex balance between traditional techniques, ingredient sourcing, and market adaptation in Asian cuisine.
The rising acceptance of alcohol-free beer, even at Oktoberfest, signals a deeper transformation in consumer preferences. This shift carries implications for established beverage markets across the region.
The journey of Vancouver houses to Haida Gwaii illustrates an unconventional approach to housing shortages, but sustaining such methods reveals the deeper costs of urban expansion and resource allocation across the region.
The non-binding vote in Victoria and Saanich highlights the persistent tensions between local identity and the pressures of municipal consolidation.
SINGAPORE —The selection of Surrey over Vancouver for a new provincial museum, announced just before a snap election, suggests cultural initiatives can serve tactical political ends.
The arrival of C Market Cafe in a central business district suggests an evolving strategy for Korean-inspired food businesses, moving beyond established ethnic enclaves.
The return of a major online sales event, traditionally held in summer, suggests a move to re-stimulate demand, with implications for regional retail strategies.
A Vancouver radio show’s personnel shift spotlights the quiet cost of maintaining hyper-local content against global forces.
HONG KONG —Beneath the surface of celebratory offers, businesses are engaging in tactical pricing, revealing a nuanced approach to consumer engagement that extends beyond festive promotions.
McDonald's Monopoly game in Canada offers a glimpse into how fast-food chains seek to sustain consumer engagement amid shifting preferences and scrutiny of value.
While specific to Canada, Vancouver's rent trends suggest a coming pressure on culinary talent and market stability in high-growth Asian cities.
Observing a Canadian’s specialized Guinness World Record offers a lens for evaluating the sustainability and marketability of highly refined practices, particularly relevant for Thailand’s distinctive culinary landscape.
SINGAPORE —A Vancouver political platform highlights a dilemma for cities globally, including those in Asia-Pacific, balancing present appeal with future solvency.
New alliances and trade agreements reveal a recalculation of strategic interests, bringing both opportunity and fragmentation.
SINGAPORE —The political rhythm of snap elections, though absent in British Columbia, offers a study in resource allocation and its culinary consequences.
While the promise of carefree travel endures, the practicalities of financial mitigation remain overlooked by some in the rush for experience.
SINGAPORE —Hong Kong's punk revival event, set against a backdrop of escalating tensions, presents a telling paradox.
Professional athletes, like chefs, manage high-pressure environments. Their off-field pursuits reveal how essential disengagement is to sustaining performance.
An incident in Vancouver highlights the fragility of security for those most vulnerable, with implications for a region often defined by collective responsibility.
The closure of a 16-year-old Vancouver institution underscores the precarious balance between nostalgic appeal and the demands of a dynamic urban palate.
How a teen drama’s filming choices hint at a broader regional playbook.
SINGAPORE —Repeated concert cancellations expose a fragile system unable to absorb external pressures.
Vancouver's Green Party proposal for small businesses suggests a broader tension for Asia's food sectors.
When a population lives on the brink, economic stability becomes a delicate recipe.
SINGAPORE —The U.S. executive order renaming Lake Ontario raises questions on international norms, offering a cautionary tale for the Asia-Pacific.
SINGAPORE —The WTTC Global Summit offers a concentrated view of industry priorities, revealing the strategic shifts for destinations like Thailand.
The closure of a Los Angeles backyard cafe highlights the structural tension between culinary innovation and established frameworks, a dilemma facing emerging food microenterprises across the region.
The chain's methodical expansion within its core market underscores a distinct approach to the economics of quick-service dining, a technique with implications for broader Asia-Pacific consumer expectations.
The presence of 'Shogun' cast members offers a glimpse into how a city's dining scene manages fleeting celebrity attention against the pursuit of genuine technique.