Introduction: The Quest for Authentic Flavors
Vancouver is a world-class food city. From sushi to tacos, the culinary options are endless. However, any true foodie in Vancouver will tell you a dirty little secret: for the best Indian food, you often have to cross the bridge.
While there are good Indian restaurants in Vancouver proper, the authentic, heavy-hitting, soul-satisfying Punjabi cuisine is found in the suburbs. Enter Baba Chicken. technically located in Surrey, this restaurant has become a pilgrimage site for Vancouverites. If you are searching for “Baba Chicken Vancouver,” you are likely looking for a taste that is bold, authentic, and worth the commute. Here is why Baba Chicken is the destination dining spot that Vancouver residents are raving about.
The “Bridge and Tunnel” Foodie Crowd
Driving 30 or 40 minutes for dinner might seem like a lot, but for the food at Baba Chicken, it is a small price to pay. On any given Friday or Saturday night, the parking lot at Baba Chicken’s Surrey location (7322 King George Blvd) is dotted with cars from Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond.
Why do they come? Because Baba Chicken offers a specific style of food—Ludhiana Style—that is hard to replicate. Ludhiana is known for its opulence. The food is richer, the butter is more plentiful, and the tandoori marinades are more intense. Vancouver’s downtown Indian restaurants often cater to a tourist palate, leaning towards milder, sweeter sauces. Baba Chicken is unapologetically Punjabi.
Planning Your Food Road Trip
If you are making the drive from Vancouver, you want to make it count. You aren’t just grabbing a quick bite; you are curating a feast. Here is the ultimate “Vancouverite’s Guide” to dining at Baba Chicken.
The Drive: Head out over the Patullo or Port Mann Bridge. The anticipation builds. You are leaving the glass towers of downtown for the heartland of Punjabi culture in BC.
The Appetizers: When you arrive, start with something you can’t get downtown. The Afghani Chicken Tikka is a must. Unlike the red tandoori chicken, this is marinated in cashew paste, cream, and cheese. It is mild, creamy, and melts in your mouth. Pair it with the Fish Fry, a nod to the British Columbia coast but with an Amritsari twist.
The Main Event: For the main course, you need variety.
- The Showstopper: Baba Butter Chicken. You’ve had butter chicken in Vancouver, but likely not like this. It’s less “tomato soup” and more “creamy dreamy.”
- The Spice Kick: Mutton Curry (Goat). Authentic Punjabi mutton curry is thin, spicy, and oily in the best way. It’s meant to be eaten with rice to soak up the flavorful broth (tari).
- The Veggie Hero: Karahi Paneer. Wok-tossed cottage cheese with bell peppers and whole spices.
The Breads: Don’t settle for plain naan. Go for the Lachha Paratha (layered whole wheat bread) or the Garlic Naan. The breads at Baba Chicken are made fresh to order in the clay oven, arriving at your table hot and crispy.
Takeout: Bringing the Party Back to Vancouver
Maybe you don’t have time to dine in. Baba Chicken has mastered the art of the takeout order. Their packaging is designed to keep the food hot and the naans soft during the drive back to Vancouver.
Many Vancouver hosts choose Baba Chicken for catering their house parties. Imagine hosting a dinner party in Yaletown or Kitsilano, but serving the legendary food of Ludhiana. It’s a power move. A tray of Spinach Corn Rolls and a large bucket of Kali Mirch Chicken will make you the most popular host in the city.
Comparing “Vancouver Style” vs. “Baba Style”
What distinguishes the food scene in Vancouver from what Baba Chicken offers?
- Spice Levels: Vancouver Indian food often plays it safe. Baba Chicken allows you to customize, but their “Medium” is a true Indian medium—warm and present.
- Texture: Vancouver curries can sometimes be overly cornstarch-thickened. Baba Chicken uses slow reduction and nut pastes to achieve thickness, resulting in a cleaner, richer mouthfeel.
- Ambiance: While Vancouver has fine dining Indian, Baba Chicken offers the Dhaba vibe—bustling, energetic, and focused entirely on the food rather than the tablecloths.
The Verdict: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
There is a saying that hunger is the best sauce, but a little distance helps too. The drive from Vancouver to Baba Chicken serves as a transition. You leave behind the stress of the city and enter a space of comfort and indulgence.
So, the next time you are in Vancouver and scrolling through your phone looking for dinner, look a little further East. Put “Baba Chicken” in your GPS. Gather a carload of friends. The legendary butter chicken, the smoky tandoori, and the warm hospitality are waiting for you. It’s not just a meal; it’s a culinary excursion.