Cambie & Broadway is full of possibilities — one of the reasons you may have never noticed a cute little all-day breakfast & classic Japanese comfort food spot next to the Broadway Mini Mart. Located on 451 W Broadway, Marulilu Café has one of the most extensive menus in the city. A kissa-ten style café that is open Monday to Friday 8AM to 6PM, with the exception of Tuesday when it’s closed, and Saturday/Sunday from 8:30AM to 6PM.
As you enter through the windowed white door, the staff welcomes you cheerily. The place is small, so if you visit at lunch time you may have to wait a bit (it’s worth it). The music is soothing, giving the vibe of an afternoon summer walk in Paris or a Studio Ghibli movie. The photographs on the wall change from time to time but are always entertaining, just like the adorable illustrations on the menu. You sit and flip through the menu pages, getting lost in the dishes: Waffles with Whipped Cream & Syrup, Eggs Benny with Hashbrown, Katsu-Don, Japanese-style Curry, Wild Mushroom Risotto, and oh! there you have it: OmuRice <3. Soon after my first visits my go-to order became Cheese in OmuRice with a side of Miso Soup and a Strawberry-Banana Smoothie, or from time to time a Matcha Latte. Yes, their drink menu is just as huge as their food menu. They even have beer, boozy lattes and Kahlua milk. I encourage you to try many dishes before you solidify your favourite choices.
You order at the counter and pay right away — prices are great and your wallet is happy. Service is fast and super friendly; the staff are so heartwarming! ( ＾◡＾)っ ♡
The colourful water cups add to the experience; the OmuRice is flavourful: an omelette covers the “ketchup rice” where cheddar and mozza cheese melt inside; the side salad’s dressing is so delicious you could drink it; the miso soup is comforting and the smoothie is the perfect thickness. All is good while you devour this tasty, homey, Japanese food. There are simply no places in Vancouver like Marulilu Café. Not even major construction on Broadway should stop anyone from trying out this hidden gem. Marulilu Café, ありがとうございます and pls never change!