Gutom Staff KOZAK
UKRAINIAN FOOD
EAST VANCOUVER
BAKERY AND CAFE DINE-IN AND TO-GO MEALS.
LIKED: Unique menu of authentic Ukrainian dishes and pastries.
DISLIKED: Slow service during busy time. Prices are high.
This definitely ain’t Tim Hortons.
Kozak Ukrainian Eatery is a bakery and cafe with two locations in the Lower Mainland. The original location is in New Westminster and the newest location is on Victoria Drive in East Vancouver. They have authentic Ukrainian cuisine all made at the restaurant.
Kozak recently installed a patio during the pandemic for Physical Distancing at their East Van location. This restaurant is in between two popular restaurants, right next door to Bun Cha Ca Vietnamese and not far from Western Lake Chinese Seafood Restaurant.
Ukrainian cuisine is very hearty! Breads, and stews, for harsh Eastern European weather. This includes a lot of bread! There are many varieties of bread at Kozak from Sourdough to Rye, buns, and pastries all made in the restaurant.
Hungry Tato’s Lunch Combo $15.45
2 Pierogi (varenyky), 2 Cabbage Rolls, 1 Pork Borsch (Beet Soup), 1 Pork Holubtsi (Cabbage Roll), side of bread.
Potato and Dill Pyrozhky Bun $4.00
All-beef Sausage in a Blanket $4.00
1 Pork Holubtsi (Cabbage Roll)
It’s a like a Asian Egg roll but a little soggy from the cabbage roll sauce.
2 Pierogi (varenyky)
Good fillings. Nice garnishing and presentation.
Cabbage Roll
Tangy tomato flavour and cabbage wrapping.
Potato and Dill Pyrozhky Bun $4.00
Mashed potato in bun. Not enough mashed potato filling. The bun and mashed potato were quite dry.
Apricot Sloyka $4.30
Nice crispy and delicious.
Ukrainian Latte $4.50
Surprisingly good, and it tastes very different from your typical Latte.
PRICE:
$-$$ AFFORDABLE. Pricing is more expensive than other bakeries and cafes. The meals are over $10 and the pastries $3.50+. You pay a premium price at Kozak because they make everything at the restaurant.
QUALITY:
OK! Nicely made, with lots of ingredients. Portion size is ok. Hungry Tato’s Lunch Combo is substantial but for $15 they could add more than 2 pierogi. Dishes are served lukewarm like the cabbage rolls, dumplings and soup.
SERVICE:
OK! Friendly and helpful. Answers questions and good explanations of their menu. A little slow with serving during busy time, one person taking order and serving. No water self serve.
VERDICT:
Overall, SATISFIED. Kozak is a unique place to get European Ukrainian cuisine worth checking out. The breads, pastries, and dishes are all made at Kozak are very different from typical bakeries.
CASH AND CARD.
Free 2 Hour Street Parking.
Address:
5077 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3T9
