Ikea China's Food Menu Makes Canada Look Basic
Content creator shows off Guangzhou Ikea's steak, salmon wellington, and regional desserts—offerings that far outpace what Canadian locations serve.
If you've ever grabbed a plate of Swedish meatballs or tikka masala chicken balls at Ikea Canada and thought the food offering was pretty standard, prepare to feel a little jealous. Over in Guangzhou, China, Ikea's food game is entirely different—and honestly kind of stunning.
Content creator Zaza, who posts videos about life and food on a tight budget in China, recently explored what Ikea dining is really like in China. The revelation: Ikea became more than just a furniture showroom. It's a weekend hangout, a date spot, a photo location, and yes, a legitimate destination for affordable, genuinely good food.
While Canada has its Swedish meatballs, chicken balls in tikka masala, falafel balls, and Swedish poutine, Guangzhou's menu reads like a proper restaurant. Zaza documented salmon wellington (CNY34.99, about C$7), steak pasta (CNY66.98, about C$13.54), chicken legs, lamb skewers, yam and chicken soup, and black pepper beef rice. Not fast food; actual dishes. He noted the steak was cooked perfectly—tender, well-seasoned, springy pasta, flavorful sauce. Desserts included cinnamon rolls, tiramisu (which he genuinely raved about), and ice cream cones with wild flavors like avocado and matcha-coconut sorbet.
According to Zaza, Ikea's food program in China peaked years ago, with even more regional Chinese dishes available. The current menu is already a massive step back from what diners could get. Still, it's leagues ahead of what we get here. The message is clear: Ikea Canada, you could be doing more.