When Wa-Bagel opened its doors in downtown Vancouver, it introduced something the city hadn’t seen before – Japanese-style bagels. Soft, chewy, and with that signature mochi-like bounce, they quickly became a must-try for anyone craving something beyond the standard sesame bagel-and-cream-cheese combo. As the first Japanese-style bagel shop in Vancouver, Wa-Bagel has led the way in showing how versatile, playful, and utterly delicious these bagels can be. This September, Wa-Bagel celebrates its second anniversary with two special limited-edition flavours that highlight both the sweet and savoury sides of Japanese bagel-making. Available only from September 15 to September 29, these creations are worth checking out.
Limited-Edition Wa-Bagel Anniversary Flavours
Available from September 15 to 29, you can check out two special flavours:
- Cranberry Celebration Bagel ($5.50) – strawberry dough bagel packed with cranberries, topped with white chocolate and even more cranberries for the perfect sweet-tart bite.
- Salmon Onigiri Bagel ($5.50) – A playful twist on the classic onigiri, generously filled with salmon and wrapped in seasoned nori.
The Cranberry Celebration Bagel is a very pretty pink bagel with a strawberry dough base. The bagel is hefty because it is jam packed with cranberries. The tartness of the berries is balanced by the sweetness of the white chocolate drizzle.
As if the filling wasn’t enough cranberries, the bagel is also topped with even more cranberries! This bagel would pair really well with a hot black coffee or a roasted tea.
The Salmon Onigiri Bagel is a playful nod to Japanese comfort food. The Salmon Onigiri Bagel takes inspiration from the classic rice ball, filling the bagel with salmon and wrapping it in seasoned nori. The familiar flavors of salmon and seaweed are transformed by Wa-Bagel’s unique dough, creating something that feels both familiar and entirely new. I highly recommend eating this bagel heated up. The chewiness of the dough pairs well with the very flavourful flaked salmon filling.
Why Wa-Bagel Still Stands Out
Japanese-style bagels are still rare outside Japan, and Wa-Bagel’s decision to bring them to Vancouver first has set the shop apart from the city’s other bagel and sandwich spots. Instead of the dense chew most of us associate with bagels, these are lighter and bouncier, making them the perfect foundation for inventive toppings and fillings. Whether you’re here for their sweet cranberry-white chocolate creation or their savoury salmon-nori twist, Wa-Bagel continues to prove that two years later they’re still innovating with their flavours.
Worth a Try?
Yes! I’m a huge fan of Wa-Bagel and these anniversary flavours are delightful. If you miss out on these, their regular line up is also worth checking out. My personal recommendations are: Sweet Potato and Black Sesame, Mochi Matcha, Mocheese, Ume Bacon, Teriyaki Mochi and Garlic Butter Cream Cheese.
WA-Bagel by Aburi
Address: 666 Burrard St Unit No. B09, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8
Website: https://www.wabagel.com/
