I have a soft spot for Taiwanese comfort food, and 3 Quarters Full provides just that. Roman and I attended the Media Tasting for the cafe’s updated menu.
The spread of cakes, sandwiches and teas definitely ramped up our appetites and the first item that drew my attention was the pyramid of Pineapple Cakes. These rectangular-shaped pastries are filled with a pineapple filling that is thick and jam-like. The exterior is buttery like shortbread. The Pineapple Cake at 3 Quarters Full was so good, I couldn’t eat just one!
Roman particularly enjoyed the Crispy Pork Sandwich, which is a typical Taiwanese breakfast item according to owner, Kaiyu. This sandwich had shredded pork, sliced cucumbers, and a fried egg which were alternately in between not two, but 3 pieces of bread. The pork was tasty, and the sliced cucumbers added crunch. The fried egg tied the sandwich together by providing creaminess from its runny yolk.
Behind a glass window with the 3 Quarters Full logo, kitchen staff assembled Pork Baos for the attendees. Each bao, which is a steamed bun, was put together with care and had meaty and fatty portions of pork. The bao pillowy soft and the pork was tasty. I’m not a fan of thick pieces of pork fat, but the bao benefited from it because it made it deliciously moist. The pork fat enhanced the flavour of the meaty pork portion, and made the bao savoury.
A fave Taiwanese comfort food of mine is salt and pepper chicken, and the version at 3 Quarters Full is called Basil Popcorn Chicken. The deep fried basil added a delicious, subtle flavour.
To finish off the tasting, Roman and I tried two different types of cakes. One was a Naidong Roll, and the other was a Japanese-style Cheesecake. We tried the Naidong Roll in Taro and Strawberry. This cake consists of a spongey exterior, with a creamy and custard-like center. As for the cheesecake, it is less dense and not as creamy as regular cheesecake.
The cakes were delicious, and paired well with the Sea Salt Coffee. The coffee’s flavour reminded me of salted caramel, but not as sweet. I enjoyed its creaminess, and the touch of salt that finishes off a sip.
The next time you’re walking around the West End, be sure to pop into the cafe. If you’re craving a sweet treat or a savoury bite, 3 Quarters Full has something for you.
Address:
1789 Comox St, Vancouver
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/3quartersfullcafe/
