East is East
5/5
Open until 10:00 pm
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East is East is a dream borne from the minds and hearts of Mustafa and Razaviah, siblings of Afghan descent. Escaping Afghanistan as a family during the soviet war, they relocated in India and traveled throughout the country absorbing the culture through it's language, art and cuisine.

Cuisine type

  • Asian,

Atmosphere

  • Casual,

Languages Spoken

  • English,
Location
4433 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R2
Useful Information

Opening Hours *Holiday hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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Rates:

  • $11 To $25,

Methods of Payment:

Meet the owner

East is East, an Afghan restaurant in the heart of Vancouver, offers a million reasons to lounge amongst the pillows and enjoy an ethnic meal. With arguably the spiciest chai tea in the city and the tastiest curries and sauces, East is East boasts cozy throws, wooden benched nooks and snuggly feather cushions where food is savoured with friends and cultural differences are left at the door.

After their family fled Afghanistan during the outbreak of the Soviet war, brother and sister duo, Mustafa and Razaviah Reza spent ten years in India before immigrating to Vancouver. They opened East is East in Kitsilano in 2001 and later, a second location on Main Street. “We wanted to have a place where you could go and experience a culture,” says Mustafa. Their restaurant is a symbol of passion come to life, as East is East breaks cultural boundaries and creates an atmosphere that encourages the appreciation of food, friendship, and music, with live entertainment routinely gracing their intimate stage.

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Menu & Prices

Soups & Salads MENU - East is East

Soup Bowl with Salad and Boulani

Your choice of Dhal soup, Mystic Soup, or Sambar Squash Soup

Green Salad

Baby spinach, greens, avocado and sprouts with hempseed pesto dressing

Chai Salad

Baby tomato, artichoke hearts, olive oil, grapes, sheep feta cheese, almonds, baby spinach, olives; oregano & white wine dressing

Mediterranean Platter

Organic Quinoa salad, hommus, baba ghanoush, olives, roasted garlic, boulani, mint, dates and feta cheese (vegan option available)

Quinoa ‘Tabouli’ Salad

with hommus and boulani

Mango Prawns

Prawns sautéed in a spicy mango, lime leaf and star anise curry on basmati rice.

Tibetan Mantu

Dumplings stuffed with green onions, chives and herbs

Dhaalcha

Roasted chunks of chicken or lamb, Afghan rice in our organic dhal soup, served with roti and side salad

Masala Praws

Prawns pan-sauteed with garlic butter in South Indian spices

Eastern Calamari

Spicy calamari sautéed in giner, garlic and vindaloo spice on Basmati rice

“Baba Chapati’s” Pate Platter

Rustic hempseed vegetarian pate (served cold) with fresh pesto, roasted vegetables, green salad and kefir naan.

Kabuli Pulao

Grilled lamb kebab sautéed with basmati rice, carrpts, aromatic spices; topped with Persian salad.

Boulani

Traditional Afghan whole wheat roti stuffed with potato, green onion and herbs; served with chickpeas, dehydrated yogurt, beets and sprouts

Soups and Salads MENU - East is East

Persian Salad

Finely chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, nions, romaine lettuce, mint and cilantro

Beet Salad

Steamed beets, sour cherries with cumin w/ balsamic vinaigrette

Quinoa Tabouli Salad

Parsely, quinoa, red peppers, cucumber, lemon and spices.

Dhaal Soup

Three different kinds of lentils, cauliflower, spinach, herbs and spices

Mystic Soup

Lemongrass, green curry, ginger and mushrooms in coconut milk

Sambar Squash Soup

South Indian yellow dhal with squash, flavoured with tamarind and spices

Mains

Jackfruit Cauliflower Curry

Jackfruit and cauliflower in a yogurt, ginger and cumin curry

Afghan Eggplant

Baked eggplant, sautéed with herbs, tomato, onion and garlic (vegan)

Eastern Ratatouille

Zucchini, potatoes, eggplant, whole garlic in a lentil plum sauce (vegan)

Alu Gobi

Cauliflower and potato in a tangy tomato coconut sauce (vegan)

Peas & Cheese

Peas, ripened paneer cheese and potato, mixed and spiced.

Spinach Paneer

Whipped spinach & paneer (Indian Cheese) with mushrooms (vegan option available)

Baby okra

Baby okra and tofu sautéed in a sundried tomato and chipotle sauce (vegan)

Mango Butternut Squash

Butternut squach and mango cooked with coconut milk, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and curry leaves (vegan)

Chana Masala

Chickpeas, onion, tomato, herbs & spices (vegan)

Wild Salmon

baked miso salmon in coconut milk, lime leaves and red/gree Thai curry

Seasonal fish curry

Seasonal fish in an exotic South Indian Curry

Chicken Masala

Chicken in creamy masala and herbs (dairy)

Lamb Kebab

Perfectly spiced and grilled chunks of lamb in a savoury yogurt, black cardamom and bay leaf curry (dairy)

Vegetarian MENU - East is East

Bombay Masala

Cauliflower and potato in a tangy tomato coconut curry sauce

Ghandi’s Breakfast

Whipped spinach with mushrooms

Yogi’s Treat

Chickpeas, onion, tomato, herbs and spices

The Gypsy

Baked eggplant, mango butternut squash with Afghan rice

Ghandara Blues

Baked eggplant sautéed with herbs, tomato, onion, garlic and spices

Lion of the Desert

Peas, paneer cheese and potato mixed and spiced

Spice Caravan

Chickpeas, cauliflower and Afghan rice

Non-Vegetarian

Afghan Nomad

Charbroiled lamb kebab with eggplant

The Silk Route

Baked miso salmon in coconut milk, lime leaves and red/green Thai curry

The Mughal

Chicken in creamy masal and herbs

Persia’s Favourite

Charbroiled lamb kebab with spinach and basmati rice.

Kids Meal

Your choice of rice bowl with any topping

Beverages MENU - East is East

Drinks

Hot, Cold, Eastern Desserts, Eastern Shakes, Yogurt Lassies, Smoothies

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Ratings & Reviews - East is East

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    Appears in 4 Smart Lists

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    You can’t go wrong with a strong cup of chai from Main Street’s venerable East is East restaurant. The popular Mount Pleasant spot, which has served the drink for more years than most on the block can count, boasts chai so delicious that staff often offer free samples to passersby in what’s surely a successful method for attracting new clientele. Two traditional varieties are available – black Darjeeling and green masala chai – as well as a rooibos, apple ginger and chocolate chai with real organic cocoa. Make any of these into a chai latte – and add almond milk for an extra boost of nutty flavour.

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