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Yek O Yek
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Restaurants Delis Food Grocery Middle Eastern, Delis, Grocery [Edit]
3046 Main StreetVancouver, BC V5T 3G5
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 877-0139
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 8 pm
Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 11 am - 7 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
About This Business:
Donald's Market is packed with healthy varieties! And we carry just about everything you need to run your household, including food, drinks, personal… read more »
17 reviews for Yek O Yek
17 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew F.
Vancouver, BC
7/24/2010 2 photos
For just a second let's forget talking about all the little specific details about this store. In fact, for a second let's forget that the store even exists. I want to talk about the owner of Yek O Yek, a proprietor worth visiting just to say hello.
In the short half year I was living in this hipper than thou neighbourhood I discovered quite a few amazing stores that I frequented often (Happy Bats, Toshi Sushi, Slickety Jim's, etc.) but none left the impression of Yek O Yek. The moment I stepped in and was greeted by the owner I felt a connection that went beyond customer and proprietor. This was a "welcome to my home, please stay a while" kind of feeling. The owner is a persian man with a smile of gold and gleaming eyes. He loves to talk about his culture and food. He will turn you on to his turkish delights, which I had avoided up until that point because of condescending words like "soapy" and "awful tasting". I don't know what these people were trying, but it sure wasn't the delectable rose and lemon flavors I was savoring! No matter if it's a quick buy or a long sampling affair he always gives a genuine smile that says "I look forward to your next visit", and I return with a smile that says "I will be back sooner than later".
I always buy from the great deli counter selection. Their baba ganouj is the best I have tried in the city with just the right kick of smoky and mint aromas. Their persian olive, walnut, and pomegranate tapenade is such a unique combination of contrasting flavors that work all too well. The tabouleh salad, dolmades, falafels, feta, halvah, etc. There are so many amazing treats to try that this already too long review would become unbearable.
This is the kind of store I had been looking so long for. The kind of store that shouts "this is MY neighbourhood!" because you know you have found a most unique place that does not exist elsewhere in the city. Most importantly though, talk to the owner and you will see his insta-charm personality is as big as the nan-e barbari he sells. -
Review from Taylor K.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
In search of Rose Water, I found Yek O Yek through Yelpers and I am happy that I did.
I am planning to cook Labanese cuisine and I needed Orange Blossom Water and Rose water. I hadn't planned on buying ghee but I also found it at Yek O Yek so decided to buy it this time instead of attempting to make it at home.
The store was located conveniently few doors from JJ Beans and my hubby got his caffeine fix from JJ while I went and got the stuff at the store.
I really didn't get a chance to browse the store thoroughly at this time. Hopefully, I will get to next time.
I am happy that I found this little store and I will be back to pick up more needed ingredients (we will see how the cooking goes). -
Review from Roanna Z.
4/7/2011
On a quest for Za'atar, and I found some right next door to where I was eating at Mitra. http://tinyurl.com/44r...
This is not the north shore Lonsdale, that's for sure, but this block has two Mediterranean stores right next to one another.
You can get yummy food to go at both places, eat outside on the small covered patios at both.
Yek-O has nuts in bulk, sauces and spices, and deserts from the middle east. Halvah made from a "secret recipe" literally hand stretched. (Yeah, my thoughts exactly) -oh look! a dark chocolate bar, I'll take that instead.
Nice owner, we had a good chat. -
Review from e r.
Vancouver, BC
8/17/2011
Yek O Yek rules! They always have fresh sangak and lots of great cheeses, like haloumi and Bulgarian feta. This is a great place to go to find middle eastern bulk foods, specific sauces and other imported goods. It is a nice clean establishment, with late hours and perpetually nice staff!
I highly recommend the vegetarian samosas!! ..And their homemade middle eastern desserts are to die for. -
Review from Gina I.
3/10/2011
I love me some lavash bread I do.
Update: it's not lavash I love, it's sangack!
Across the street from the place we were having dinner, we discovered Yek O Yek. Clearly, I don't get out of the house much.
I bought some awesome lime juice - not that lime juice you get at Safeway man, this is the good stuff. I also got some baklava (I cannot resist the nuts, honey and phyllo pastry), and some lavash.
I was looking at the spices to make kababs, but figured $2.79 was too much to spend on a spice rub I could make at home with what I have in my cupboards.
They also do hot foods here too.. metze plates and lamb shank and other things I don't remember on the menu. I'm just happy to know there is an persian store close to home.
Also, the owner is pretty damn charming and funny. -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
7/18/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Yek O Yek is one of my favourite places in the city! This Middle Eastern grocery store has a great selection of interesting, niche foods, from nutritional yeast to mung beans to fresh made dolmas. Their lunch platters are to die for; this is one fantastic deli. Service has always been exceptional and prices are decent too. No complaints.
Listed in: Grocery Shop
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Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
5/8/2009
If you can't make the trek across the bridge to North Vancouver to hit up Afra (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), then they seem to have a lot of the products I normally find at Afra at slightly higher prices available here.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of these items are purchased directly from Afra actually - as they looked VERY similar (particularly some of the baklava and Turkish delight). There is also a nice selection of bulk food bins with nuts, dried fruits, herbs, spices, etc. All are slightly more expensive than Afra, but looked very fresh.
This is a convenient spot for those of us in Vancouver when in search of Persian food and ingredients and not feeling like dealing with the trip North.Listed in: Vancouver Middle Eastern Food
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Review from Sam L.
1/11/2011
Before I found this place, I was cursed to walk the earth buying crap quality spices in the little overpriced glass jars that they sell on the racks at IGA or Safeway. Now if I need a pound of lentils, whole thyme leaves or fenugreek, Yek O Yek's got my back on the cheap! Plus the owners are super friendly and helpful, and they've got like half a dozen types of feta cheese, olives, dips, canned goods, breads, etc. They also have a little takeout counter with things like falafel, dolmas, etc. and you can even get some authentic Turkish delight or rosewater ice cream for dessert.
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Review from Richard W.
Vancouver, BC
4/11/2011
Walked by this place many times not thinking about going in. I decided to try this place and it was a nice experience. My cravings for samosas brought me in here and they don't disappoint. With a variety of vegetarian and meat varieties. I prefer the beef ones with the chutney they have as a dip. Baklavas are my other favorites too and they sell them by the section. I always thought they were a greek specialty but discovered they were originated from the middle east. They tasted great and it was really flakey and yummy. Going to try something different next time possibly buy some humous and bread for dipping. Their food and spice selection is just amazing!
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Review from Peter H.
Vancouver, BC
1/15/2011
Jumping on the "wow the owner is nice here" bandwagon. If that's not enough of a reason to visit, then how about the yummy assortment of all things dates, baklava, and assorted spices? Boy will your friends be excited when you brag that you know where to buy both whole or powdered cumin in bulk! They also have a small seated area where you can enjoy a plate of chicken, fragrant rice and salad for $7. And let me tell you, that's a much better deal and tastier than the plate of sarcasm I serve daily for $18.
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Review from Seth D.
6/16/2010
What can I say? I love this place and its owner. It's one of the places I always HAVE to hit when I'm in Vancouver. The fresh daily nan-e barbari (flat bread sprinkled with sesame seeds) is so good. My favorite thing here is the bulk bin of Iranian lemon almonds (super tart and dry roasted), which I buy by the pound and transport across that tightly controlled border.
Once the owner came outside and hugged me because I was wearing a PALESTINE t-shirt (and he's not even Arabic -- he's Persian). Another time he sensed that I had a cold and forced me to take drops of oregano oil under my tongue (my cold cleared up that day).
Glad Vancouver has places like this. Wish Seattle did too. -
Review from Vanessa G.
3/2/2011
I don't know how many times i have walked right by this place and never stopped in. Today i wandered in to check it out, and left with some spices i was missing, vegetables, and fresh dates. They have everything you would need to make a Mediterranean meal. There pre made food looks delicious as well.
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Review from Liane B.
Thunder Bay, ON
11/24/2010
Really I can't say enough good things about this place. I wandered in one day when it was raining and I was procrastinating work and now I go back all the time! My favourite things at Yek O Yek - the homemade rosewater and saffron ice cream, the small pistachio birdsnest baclava, the mixed olives, and the butter beans - yum. The owner is friendly and always remembers us when we come in - which is always a plus in a city like Vancouver. There are so many interesting items in this store that every time I go in I end up leaving with something different. The Zatar is also a really good snack combined with their fresh flat bread. And they carry Avalon dairy products at the back along with home made yogurts.
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Review from Pookie B.
Vancouver, BC
9/23/2011
Middle Eastern food is up there with my favourite international cuisines. It's nice to see that it isn't rare to find good places to eat this type of food in Vancouver at a budget. Yek- O Yek doesn't fail to please my palate. I love that I can come here to stock up on spices and staples, at the same time have the option to buy Middle Eastern treats. Love their lamb shank with side salad and Basmati spiced rice. Almost always I come here for this. Their olives are great also and it's the only place I know where I can buy Turkish bread, flat bread, labne and other delectable delights. I'm salivating just thinking about it.
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Review from Amanda H.
Vancouver, BC
3/21/2011
I too adore this store and the owners are wonderful--I once went in and after shopping,realized I had forgotten my wallet.They let me take the food home and return to pay them--So unusual in a big city--
one other thing,I believe the man is from Iraq,[he told me ]so he is Arabic,and his wife is persian,from iran.
he is always in a good mood-despite working long hours-- -
Review from caellen c.
6/23/2011
I have been going to Adam's store for about 15 years. They have a great selection of all kinds of Middle Eastern foods, but also a wonderful array of cheeses and olives. The service is always friendly and the prices are competitive, but the main reason I'm writing is to say that Yek-o-yek sells the best veggie samosas we've ever had! (And don't forget to pick up some tamarind sauce for them while you're there.) We can actually say that they are "internationally renowned"!
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Review from Tara T.
BC
11/14/2008 1 photo
This deli is remarkable. As you walk inside you're hit with an overwhelming smell of every conceivable herb and spice available. With a focus on Middle Eastern foods, Yek O Yek stocks delicious homemade hummus and Haloumi cheese which I can't find anywhere else in the city. This is a very authentic delicatessen so if you're looking to make a culturally rich meal come here for all your ingredient needs.
