iN MAPS: Food from around the world found in the Thompson-Okanagan

Foodies looking for a taste of other cultures and countries have a lot of options to choose from in Kamloops and the Okanagan, but not all countries are represented and there are a few interesting trends when it comes to local ethnic eateries.

Vernon foodie Logan Saunders reviewed every single restaurant, café and eatery in the city over the past couple of years, a total of 154, and left photos, ratings and reviews on Google Maps.

His project began in 2023 in honour of his late wife who loved eating out as the pair travelled in different countries. After spending more than 20 years in Vernon, he set foot in eateries he’d never tried before, at one point going to every Japanese restaurant and listing them from his least favourite to favourite based on food, service and atmosphere.

The ESL teacher is currently working in Okinawa, Japan, but answered iNFOnews.ca’s questions about ethnic food trends when he got to his hostel after a day of teaching.

“Surprisingly, Vernon has zero Middle Eastern or Turkish restaurants,” Saunders said. “Japanese, East Indian and Chinese restaurants have become most popular. Italian, German and Mediterranean restaurants are few in number and all are fine dining.

“There has also been an increase in international grocery stores and Mexican restaurants too. That surprised me due to Los Huesos being the only Mexican restaurant in (Vernon) for such a long time.”

When asked what he thinks is the most popular ethnic restaurant in the Vernon area is, Saunders pointed to Jade Asian Kitchen, a downtown eatery offering Asian fusion dishes and Canadian comfort foods.

“A lot of people argue over their favourite and least favourite restaurants online, but Jade seems to be the most popular with the fewest detractors,” Saunders said.

He’s seen the most price increases in western style restaurants in recent years.

“I think affordability has become an increased issue and people have shifted towards saving up for that more extravagant meal out with more of a focus on the overall experience rather than that fast food stop or more Western-style dining. The increased prices in fast food and Western style-dining have turned people away, in my opinion.”

Saunders said he hopes to see more Middle Eastern cuisine available in Vernon in the future.

“I thoroughly enjoy Middle Eastern food whenever I’m in the Middle East, I would definitely go,” he said.

There are more than 50 ethnic eateries in Kamloops and hundreds in the Okanagan that include menus from African countries, Asian countries, Mexico, Jamaica, European countries and Indigenous.

iNFOnews.ca made a list of as many as we could find.

Let us know which ones still need to be added by sending us an email at news@infonews.ca.