A popular Vancouver-based Hong Kong dessert shop is taking its customers back in time at its newest location in Richmond.
Snackshot soft-opened its doors to its third store on March 28 in Continental Shopping Centre near Cambie and Sexsmith roads.
Aurelia Au and her husband co-own Snackshot and are Richmond Residents. Au said they've always been looking to open in Richmond, but it wasn't until recently that they found the "right place."
The new Snackshot shop took over the former K2 hair salon with the interior decorated with retro Hong Kong-style seats, tables and wall signs.
Snackshot opened its first location on Granville Street in Vancouver's Marpole neighbourhood in 2017 before opening a second location in 2021 on Kingsway near Boundary Road.
Au said the name Snackshot came about when social media app Snapchat was a trend, which gave the owners the idea of wanting their patrons to be able to take a "snapshot" of the traditional Hong Kong-style snacks.
"When we first opened, we wanted, and still do, for Snackshot to be a place for people to hang out while bringing in the nostalgic decor and signs of retro Hong Kong," said Au.
"Because we serve traditional desserts, we decided to reintroduce it to the new generations so that the legacy of these dishes can be carried on with a retro feeling."
Snackshot is best known for its 13-piece, mahjong-themed coconut pudding and edible money dessert set, as well as a nine-bowl sweet dessert soup tasting platter.
Its menu also offers tofu pudding, dessert soups, and traditional Hong Kong drinks, such as iced lemon tea and Hong Kong-style milk tea.
There is also an extensive list of traditional Hong Kong street snacks like curry fish balls, fried shrimp balls, rice rolls and even duck spring rolls.
Each of the three Snackshot locations across Metro Vancouver is decorated with different items from Au and her husband's childhood, some of which many Millennial Hong Kongers may also remember.
"A lot of decorations are from our childhood, like old toys or even old school McDonald's Snoopy toy sets from Hong Kong," said Au, adding that these items may bring nostalgia to "anyone from that generation."
"We tried to build different characteristics for each store, but still give the same Snackshot vibe."
She added that every single decoration, display item or food has a "story behind it" and they hope to continue their theme of storytelling through their store.
"Snackshot is meant to be a place where we can pass on the legacy of old Hong Kong and its stories through food."
Snackshot's Richmond outpost is open Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to midnight. and Friday to Sunday from 3 p.m. to midnight.
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