The Vancouver Christmas Market has relocated for their 7th year at Jack Poole Plaza – also home to Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic Cauldron. There is about 50,000 square feet of space, and 70 huts in which to savour the German Christmas experience.
Making things merry & bright at the expansive seaside site, visitors are invited to indulge in the authentic German market’s array of mouth-watering delicacies –from sizzling sausages, handbrot, German Pizza, Bratwurst, Gulasch, Spätzle Glühwein, gingerbread, traditional German beer, and others.
I was invited to give a few of the food vendors a try. So, I went with a few foodie friends to experience the Vancouver Christmas Market.
Das Gulash Haus
Das Gulasch Haus is a new addition to the Vancouver Christmas Market. Owner Thomas Goelles is sharing his mother’s Gulasch recipe with all his customers to get a little taste of Austria.
The wholesome stew is made with tenderly braised BC Beef, potatoes, and Hungarian paprika. They also have a Vegan version made with carrots, potatoes and a blend of Hungarian and smoky Spanish paprika. You can have it served it a bread bowl.
We found it was a perfect item to eat as it keeps you warm as you are walking around the market. With temperatures going close to 0 degrees, you’ll want something to warm your stomach and hands.
Freybe Brat Haus
Freybe Brat Haus is one of the most popular vendors at the market. They serve up their traditional Bratwurst as well as a few other sausage flavours on the menu. You can top it off with sauerkraut, grilled onions, mustard and ketchup.
I made sure to drunk mine in grainy mustard with a Weisswurst sausage on grilled onions and sauerkraut. Very delicious!
Spätzle Haus
Spätzle Haus creates hand-make their fresh herb spätzle, which is egg noodle with a traditional recipe passed down from their Grandmother.
Enjoy your Spätzle with one of 3 toppings and our gurkensalat (German cucumber salad).
You can choose from:
- Traditional Butter and Swiss Emmenthaler
garnished with caramelized onions and parsley - Wild Mushroom Cream sauce
garnished with pickled red cabbage and parsley - Coconut Curry Tomato
topped with fresh pea shoots and rainbow carrot rondelleo
Our personal favourite was the traditional butter and swiss emmenthaler.
Art Meets Chocolate
Art Meets Chocolate aims to fuse the creativity of artisan chocolate making with the inspired talents of local artists while showcasing the unique feel of various Vancouver and British Columbian neighborhoods.
They have a vast collection of chocolate to sample as well as selling other local chocolates from Lisa Lou.
Cändy Meister
Candy Meister offers a selection of colourful, scrumptious, all natural, gluten, dairy and corn free candies from Germany. A wide variety of their treats originate from the candy producer Wilhelm Mueller, who maintains candy making traditions the same way as he did in 1949.
Stop by the hut and try up to 40 different flavours, such as our popular Mulled Wine, Assorted Fruit, and Crunchy Candies as well as our wide selection of herbal candies.
Handbrot & Soup
Dresdner Handbrot (hand bread) is offered at town festivals, Christmas markets and festivals across Germany. You can now get it at the Vancouver Christmas Market.
Handbrot is made and baked in wood fired ovens on location, with savoury fillings like Gouda Cheese, House Smoked Ham or Gouda Cheese and Mushrooms. This version is topped with sour cream and green onions. It was super delicious and I would definitely order it again.
They also serve a warming Pea & Ham Soup made daily using a traditional recipe. Super delicious too. Plus warming on cold days.
German Pizza & More!
You can find German Pizza here too. Their pizzas are made with organic spelt sourdough. All ingredients are BC produced, our cheese is provided by Smits & Co in Chilliwack and the German Prociutto (Schinkenspeck) is from Summit Creek Sausage, located in Bridge Lake.
They had 2 version available:
- German Prosciutto, creme fraiche, aged gouda, onions and fresh herbs.
- Vegan – tomato sauce, sweet potato, garlic scapes/pesto and fresh herbs.
Final Thoughts
There’s lots to eat and discover at the Vancouver Christmas Market this year. You will have to pick a good day when it’s not raining or snowing to come take a visit to enjoy the songs, shopping and the food.
I wasn’t able to try all the food stalls at the market, but there are definitely some new favourites and old classics.
Website: http://vancouverchristmasmarket.com/
3 Comments
Those brats are the best!
the new churro stall is amazing!
I found the spatzle to be on the mushier side :/
Maybe that’s just the traditional style?