Ikea China's extensive food menu will make Canadians a little jealous

Those familiar with the food options at Ikea Canada might get just a tiny bit jealous of what diners can get at locations in China.

From steak to regional desserts, Ikea restaurants in China serve options that are far different from what shoppers in Canada are used to seeing. Content creator Zaza is based in China, where he films videos of home cooking, grocery hauls, and what it's like to live "alone in a tiny room on a tiny budget."

In a recent video, he shared his experience dining at Ikea in the city of Guangzhou.

"Most people know Ikea for its furniture, but in China, it became known for something completely different: the food," stated Zaza. "Some people even come here just to eat. So today, we're exploring what food in Ikea China is really like."

@zazaeatschina/YouTube

He added that when Ikea first opened in China, it became more than just a store, but a place for "room inspiration, cheap meals, dates, photos, and even weekend hangouts."

In addition to the iconic Swedish meatballs, Canada currently has its own local offerings: chicken balls in tikka masala sauce, falafel balls, and Swedish poutine. However, Guangzhou has its own menu items that we definitely wouldn't mind trying in Canada.

The options look pretty amazing: vegetarian rice (CNY9.99/C$2.02), salmon korokke (croquette) (CNY9.99/C$2.02), salmon wellington (CNY34.99/C$7.07), chicken leg (CNY14.99/C$3.03), cheezy beef rolls (CNY17.99/C$3.64), lamb skewer (CNY12.99/C$2.63),  yam and chicken soup (CNY9.99/C$2.02), and pollock fingers (CNY7.99/C$1.61). And while Ikea Canada offers plant balls, the vegetarian equivalent of the meatballs, in Guangzhou, you can order a veggie burger; however, Zaza doesn't seem too impressed.

"The veggie burger uses soy-based products instead of meat," he explained. "It's a nice texture, but the taste is just okay."

It turns out that Ikea in Guangzhou also offers several meatier options, such as the steak pasta dish for CNY66.98 (C$13.54).

"The steak is cooked perfectly — not dry or tough, with a pleasant chew and just the right seasoning," states Zaza. "The past is cooked just right, nice and springy, and the sauce is flavourful without being heavy."

Next up is the black pepper beef rice for CNY29.99 (C$6.06), which, according to Zaza, is the only Chinese main dish left on the menu.

"Back when Ikea was at its peak, the food variety was way bigger; they had several Chinese dishes, too. But now, they're mostly gone," he said.

To wrap up his meal, Zaza opts for a cinnamon roll and tiramisu, and he has a clear favourite.

"We Chinese aren't big on super-sweet desserts, but this tiramisu is a winner," he shared. "It's smooth, just sweet enough, and the flavour is wonderfully rich."

But it's not quite the end of his Ikea culinary tour.

@zazaeatschina/YouTube

On his way out, Zaza stops at the bistro to order an ice-cream cone, and the flavours are impressive: avocado-flavour ice-cream for CNY3 (C$0.61), and a colourful earth-coloured sorbet made with matcha and coconut for CNY4 (C$0.81).

Safe to say, we wish at least some of these menu items would make their way to Ikea restaurants in Canada.

Watch the full video below: