Bonchaz Bakery Café

A coffe shop with above average food for, you know, coffee shops.

Coffee shops are a dime-a-dozen so any differencism is welcome. Bonchaz has a great range of soups, sandwiches/wraps, buns. Defo one of the best spots on Main and Broadway to stop for a quick lunch.

The location, literally on the intersection, also provides for entertaining people watching. Excellent to hit up on weekdays as it tends to be pretty quiet.

There's a Vegan wrap which is surprisingly good for anyone who's so inclined.

#1 their velvet cake" was stale. They had it in the fridge for too long and the cake portion had hardened.

#2 they dont have a restroom for customers, which in a cafe over seating over 15, im not sure if that is even legal?

#3 server was so rude when i asked for a plate and fork and told me the cake was "suppose to be that way"

#4 he was busy gaming on his cell phone to give a ...

Sometimes they have specials! I came in today after 5pm and the buns were half off.

I recommend the chocolate truffle bun and ask to get it warmed up!

Edit: After receiving a message from the business owner who was very forthcoming about the ingredients and costs of the Mango Fruit Smoothie, I have updated my review with the correct price for the smoothie ($4.67, not $6 as previously mentioned). He says they do indeed use a canned juice, but its sole ingredient is mango, which is then mixed with chopped mango and ice. He also recognized the issues with service quality; I look forward to seeing this addressed/improvements. I've also added 1 star to my previous rating as a result.

After spending north of $200 on Mango Fruit Smoothies, I've decided to create a Yelp account to let others know. As another Yelper has mentioned, their Mango Fruit Smoothie is not made with mango. I made the foolish mistake of assuming if a smoothie costs $4.67 and is called Fruit Smoothie, that it would be made with fruit (albiet low grade to increase profit margins). After ordering my Mango Fruit Smoothie this morning, I decided to hang around and watch them make it, just out of curiosity. That's when I saw the mango being poured from a can into the ice filled cup, mixed and served to me.

I've also tried their lunch combo; The Creamy Chicken Penne pasta was small in portion, but average tasting. The bun on the Ham & Cheese sandwich was overly hard but it was otherwise okay. Butter Croissant was also average.

As for service: there are two ladies I usually see there, and the one that usually mans the counter is very good at ignoring people. Doesn't matter if it's 7am or 9:30am, you can count on having to stand there, change in hand, wondering if your order will be made (or even heard). Perfect if you want to feel invisible to start off a day at work!

But I digress. My main gripe is with the Mango Fruit Smoothie. Similar in price with Starbucks' venti frappuccino, significantly smaller in size, and much larger profit margins. Needless to say, I will not be returning.

Tried only their matcha bonchaz bun and although it was not too expensive and not too sweet either, the matcha filling was very unevenly distributed. There was half the bun with nothing and then onto the very left, a LOT of matcha filling making that bite much too heavy and the rest too plain. Wanting to come back and try it again but there are too many options for good buns in vancouver!

I'm used to go at the location on W Hasting downtown.
But this location is even more quiet... During da week-end...
So I kind of prefer this one despite the location (lil bit more far for me).

Three words: Banana walnut Bonchaz=WHAMMY...
Soooo good... This is brilliant...
The place is clean and they got free Wifi (always a plus).

Also they offered a super combo deal.
Any 2 for 7.57$.
For sandwich, soup, salad, pasta.

Yes!! Two different items and vegan options available!!
This place is a gem on Main and Broadway.
I wish them all the best!!

I did not have great expectations from their food after I wound up here for a quick lunch, but I really enjoyed the lunch special of soup and salad and only paid 8 dollars. I had a wholesome meal of a pulled pork sandwich, a bit greasy, but tasty, along with vegan spinach soup. The service was fast and the vibe relaxed. I think I will visit again especially when I spend hours reading in nearby kafka and need a real food fix! Can't wait to try their baked treats.

My family had just departed a cruise, and stopped by for a coffee while waiting for our hotel room to be ready. The two-star definition of "Meh" is pretty spot-on. Employees weren't very friendly or energetic. Drinks were so-so.
It's said people don't remember what you said to them, only how you made them feel. My only solid memory was seeing it later on the trip and deciding to find anywhere else to go.

Positively jazzed about Bonchaz 2.0!

It's not just a carbon copy of the original location:
a touch retro, a bit sleeker, a whole lot brighter, it's a refreshing addition to the corner of Main & Broadway.

I double dare you to resist the siren call of their signature buns while waiting for the bus.
Tell me it isn't the most futile exercise in self-control.

For those in the dark, Bonchaz is an inspired mash-up of Mexican pastry and Chinese buns.
Crusty caramelized crumble topping + milk-based fluffy (filled) bun = MASSIVELY ADDICTIVE.

What I've tried:

Original Bonchaz ($1.50)
- butter was all up in this bun & all over my fingers
- kinda plain Jane in flavour and crunch

Banana & Walnut Bonchaz ($1.75)
- this redeemed my many, walnuts-gone-bad experiences. On point!
- banana filling: mildly sweet & VERY ripe..think mashed red beans.

Cranberry White Chocolate Walnut Muffin ($2.35)
- a moment of silence for generic coffee shop muffins. Because they are dead to me.
- what a STUDmuffin. Literally. Fully & skillfully loaded to hit just the right trifecta of sweet / tart / nutty.
- smooth, pillowy crumb verges into cake territory. Unorthodox but decadent.

Their current promotion: $2 off for their soup + sandwich combos.
Psyched to find a one-stop shop for pastry indulgences and quick bites!

Really, I wanted to fall in love with Bonchaz. Especially because of this new location within walking distance of home.

Lukewarm coffee, slightly stale croissant. A grubby sheen on the tables. Mid-afternoon, perfect timing for my coffee break, but a major disappointment here.

Came here before just to get a pick-me-up while killing some time. Had a nice sandwich and a London Fog. Both were alright, not terrible--the sandwich wasn't heated all the way and the London Fog tasted just okay. But I have to give it props for the nice and quiet atmosphere! The only other person from myself and the girl working behind the counter was a small group of girls doing a project. I was able to catch up on a couple of my readings without being bothered. A few other people came and went, and the overall time there was fairly quiet and nice.

Overall, a good place to study and read if you're not too concerned with food.