If you haven’t been to Yunshang before, it’s a small chain of Chinese restaurants in Canada that has recently become one of my favorites! So much so that I decided to go out there often and try out some of the other stuff that they have.

Things you should know before you order –

• If you become a lifetime VIP member, you will get special discounts on all your orders (Cost me 20 bucks and is worth it if you plan to go there often)
• This place only accepts debit cards and cash! No credit cards!
• You can get unlimited noodles for your soup at this place.
• Portion sizes for their mains are generous.
• Their food can be quite spicy so if you are not sure, ask the server if it’s possible to reduce the spice level for your order.
• Add-ons like meatballs, lamb slices, filets, soybeans, tiger shrimp paste, boychoy and more can be added on request.
• Meals are served hot, so be a bit careful while eating.
• Silverware can be requested if you are not familiar with chopsticks.

Some of the best meals that you can have at Yunshang –

Chinese Sauerkraut Fish Noodle Soup

Their Fish Noodle soup consists of Fish and Sauerkraut as the primary ingredients and reminded me of sour pickles, the sour taste being due to the Sauerkraut. While this dish is sour, it’s quite enjoyable. I found that they had decent portions of fish as well as sauerkraut.

Duck Blood Noodles with Chili Sauce

The Duck Blood Noodles have a well balanced mix of flavors as it has a mix of sweet and spice. This was my first time trying out Duck Blood which I was thinking was going to be the broth but it’s pieces of Duck Blood, that have a Tofu-like texture. In terms of spice level I would say it’s hot enough but very tolerable.

Spicy and Sour Noodles with Beef and Enoki Mushrooms

My order of Spicy and Sour Noodles was exactly what the title of the dish is, It was spicy and sour. For me, these noodles were absolutely delicious but I must warn you that they are quite spicy. Make sure to ask for extra napkins if you order this one! There was a good portion of beef and enoki mushrooms in the dish.

Beef Brisket Noodles

If you don’t like spice or don’t want to go for noodles, then I think you should go for the Beef Brisket Noodles. For this dish, it is possible to adjust the level of Spice. I went in for Mild-Spicy. If you pay extra, they have an option for a very high level of spice as well. The beef was tender and flavorful.

Spicy Rice Noodles

I like how the rice noodle soup comes with a variety of veggies and meat/seafood. You get quail egg, pork, ham, shrimp, sweetcorn, bean curd sheet, black fungus and a couple of more items. You add all of them into the boiling pot full of broth that you receive and then the noodles for them to cook a bit before eating. I enjoy this unique experience at Spicy Rice Noodles where you kind of feel like cooking your own meal but with less effort.

Coconut Rice Noodles

While the Coconut Rice Noodles dish contains coconut milk, you will be surprised at how spicy it still is. It might be less spicy than Spicy Rice Noodles but still has a decent amount of spice in it. I found this one to be quite flavorful due to the coconut milk added into it. If you can’t handle spice, go with the Original Rice Noodle Soup.

Fruitwood Smoked Pork Intestine and Duck Blood in Spicy Rice Noodle Soup

My rice noodle soup with pork intestine and duck blood was quite spicy. The dish has a bit of smoky flavor as well due to the fruitwood smoked pork intestine. There was a lot of meat in my dish and a little bit of fried tofu as well. If you order this dish, you might also end up having to take some home with you, just ask for the extra noodles before you leave!

Sichuan Style Spicy and Crispy Fried Pork Ribs

The Fried Pork Ribs were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I found them to be slightly spicy and the taste is further enhanced with the sauce that comes with the ribs. Feel free to ask for more sauce as you will probably run out of it quick.

Smoked Pork Intestine

The Smoked Pork Intestines are more like an appetizer so if you are planning to order these, I would recommend that you go for multiple small dishes. Made from pig’s intestines, the texture of the meat was slightly chewy and had a savory/salty flavor. Make sure you dip the Pork Intestines in the sauce provided as they taste great with it.

Smoked Pork Feet

The Smoked Pork Feet is another appetizer sized dish that Yunshang has. While I was expecting the Pork Feet to be very chewy/oily, that did not appear to be the case. The meat was soft and came right off the bones. They were so delicious with the sauce provided and I quickly finished them.

If you aren’t already aware, the TN status allows Canadian Citizens to enter United States for work purposes. For Canadian citizens, The TN status does not involve a visa application.

Can you work under TN status from Canada?

Yes, it is possible to work remotely under the TN status from Canada but the question applies under what scenario does it make sense to get the TN status while working for US based companies.

Do you really need TN status to work remotely for US employer?

No, if you are going to be permanently based in Canada and not entering the United States for work then usually you are not required to have TN status.

As a Canadian Citizen, you have unrestricted right to live and work in Canada and that includes any work you do remotely for any non-Canadian company while residing in Canada.

Why get the TN Status if working from Canada?

Under certain scenarios, it can make sense to get the TN status.

• Working in both US/Canada – If you are going to be working in both US and Canada then it makes sense for you to get the TN status.
• Company is not incorporated in Canada – Some companies might not be willing to employee you unless you are on their W2 payroll.

How to work remotely for US company without TN status?

There are three routes on how you can work for US company without TN Status –

• Canadian subsidiary – In case the US Employer has a Canadian subsidiary, you can ask them to hire you as an employee through them as a Canadian Employee.
• Contractor (Sole Proprietor/Incorporated) – It might be worth asking the US based company, if you can work for them as a contractor.
• Umbrella company – Your US employer could utilize a company that offers Canadian payroll and benefits to you while you work remotely in Canada.

Do you get double taxed while on TN status working in Canada?

The tax treaty between Canada and United States allows you to avoid double taxation however you would need to file your returns in both countries.

How to get the TN status?

Canadian Citizens can get the TN status by showing up at any US border crossing or when flying to the US. Steps to be followed –

• Request for the TN status
• Provide proof of job offer for temporary employment (not to exceed a period of three years)
• Proof of degree (original document) and employment history to prove qualification for the job
• Proof of citizenship (original document)
• Pay required fee

Alternatively, an employer can request a visa status change to TN on behalf of the applicant. However this can be a time consuming process.

Are all jobs eligible for TN status?

Only a limited number of professions are eligible for TN status.

• Accountants
• Engineers
• Lawyers
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Pharmacists
• Scientists
• Teachers

If you are not sure if your profession is eligible, you should contact USCIS.

Beware of the limitations of the TN status

While the TN status gives you right to work in the United States, you should be aware that –

• You are authorized to work for only 1 employer in the US
• The TN status has to be renewed every three years.
• The job needs to be listed on the qualified TN professionals list.
• You need to have a bachelors degree.

If you are based in Quebec but looking to buy a car from a private seller who is based outside Quebec then you will need to do a bit more paperwork compared to buying a car from a private seller who is based in Quebec.

A private seller refers to an individual who is looking to sell their car and NOT a dealership. Usually dealerships located outside Quebec can still handle issues related to buying out-of-province cars.

Before making the purchase

• Check how much does the used car with similar mileage cost at a dealership by going on Autotrader.ca or other used car portals.
• Do a visual inspection – It is recommended to do an inspection during daytime as any damage on the exterior of the car is going to be more noticeable. Look under the hood of the car as well!
• Test drive the car – You should always test drive the car before buying it. Try turning the car engine on/off multiple times, do the brakes work, does everything seem to work properly.
• Request CARFAX report and review the car’s maintenance history
• Verify car ownership by reviewing the owner’s registration document
• Make an offer based on the assessed condition of the car

Does the car have a lien on it?

If the car was purchased using a loan, it might have lien on it through the financial institute/bank. You will need to ask for proof from the seller that the certifies that the lien has been paid off.

Save your spot with a refundable deposit

It can take some time to get the funding and other documentation before you can register the car under your name. Some sellers might be okay to put down a deposit so that the car is reserved for you while you sort out the paperwork and finances.

Request for safety inspection to be done

The seller will need to do a safety inspection done in their province before they can complete the sale. The safety inspection can show if there are any important issues with the car that may show up.

Making an offer based on the Seller’s Safety Inspection

If there are any issues like brakes need replacement that show up which you believed were not aware of, you might ask for a discount from the seller since it’s going to cost you a bit of money to get them replaced.

How to get funding for a used car?

If you have enough cash and can pay for the car in full that can be one option to consider. Some sellers might be okay with cash payments but for large transfers would prefer cheque or bank transfer.

If the amount is high, you might want to go for loan on the used car. You can get a quote from your bank or credit union and see if that is the way you want to go.

Documents required to complete purchase

• Registration certificate from seller
• Bill of sale form – Should include seller and buyer’s information, and the vehicle – make, model, year, VIN, odometer reading
• Copy of seller’s driver license/photo ID
• Quebec Power of Attorney – This document is required if the seller is not going to be with you during registration of the car in Quebec.
• Letter certifying lien has been paid off (if car was bought using loan)

You can ask the seller to get a safety inspection done for Quebec as well however it’s responsibility of the buyer to provide one at Quebec’s Vehicle registration office.

Additional Documents required for vehicle registration

• Quebec Safety Inspection Certificate
• Car Insurance
• Buyer’s Provincial driving license
• Buyer’s Proof of address

Get your car registered as soon as possible

Depending on the seller’s province; and Quebec – the registration needs to be completed with a certain period otherwise might be considered expired.

I highly recommend that you get the registration same-day or following day of your purchase it will take about 15 minutes!

What if you don’t have Quebec Safety Inspection Certificate?

You will be issued a temporary registration and will be given 3 days that you can drive for essential stuff till you get the Quebec Safety Inspection Certificate for the vehicle. It is highly recommended that you get it done before you are headed to the registration office.

What if the buyer has an out-of-province driving license?

If you have an out-of-province license, you can still make your purchase. You wouldn’t run into any issues if you were lets say having an Ontario Driving License and trying to register the car.

Make sure to take proof of address (Quebec) with you.

Also, You can get it swapped for a Quebec Driving License at the office. However an appointment is usually required for exchanging license in Quebec.

Seller takes their license plate with them!

The car’s license plate doesn’t come with the car. You have to get your license plate from the Quebec’s Vehicle Authority (SAAQ). It can be tricky driving without plates, and there are two solutions to that –

• You can ask the seller to drive the car to SAAQ for registration and then take off plates OR
• You can ask the seller to let you have the plates till the registration is transferred (as technically the car is still registered under the previous owner’s name). Furthermore, you can then take the plates off after registration and return them to the seller.

Quebec Tax and Registration Costs

You will need to pay tax for the purchase of the car as well as registration costs. It would be good to have around 15% of the car’s purchase price in the bank to pay for it.

Making payments at SAAQ

Take multiple cheques with you. The office you are headed to might accept debit card/cash payments only. You will run into trouble trying to pay with a credit card.

After vehicle registration

• Make a copy of the registration and keep the original in the car’s glove box.
• Put the new Quebec License plate on your car!

Did you know that if you have a US Driving License, you can simply get it exchanged for a Canadian Driving License (Ontario)! If you meet all the requirements, you would not have to give a driving test either (just vision test).

Steps For Exchanging License

• Go to Service Ontario
• Take the vision test
• Provide the required documents
• Get picture taken
• Pay the applicable fees
• Fill the application form

You would get a temporary license document and your Ontario Driver’s License will be mailed to you.

Documents Required

You will be asked to provide the following documents –

• Unexpired US Driving License
• US Driving History – You can get this from your state’s DMV
• Proof that you completed more than two years of driving in the US
• Valid Photo ID – Could be passport, green card, photo card.

Exchanging License at Service Ontario

Just go into any Service Ontario office with your US license and let them know you would like to exchange it for an Ontario Driving License.

No appointment in advance is required at Service Ontario

Sometimes the Service Ontario office is quite busy and it can take 1-2 hours before your turn comes, so make sure to plan your day accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the website for Service Ontario?

The website for Service Ontario is https://www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario.

What if you don’t have more than 2 years of Driving Experience?

Depending on how many years you have driven in the United States, they will issue you either a G2 License or a G License.

A Full Driving License (Commonly known as G License) can be only obtained if you have completed more than 2 years of driving in the United States.

What if my US Driving License expired?

Yes, you can use expired US License to get Canadian license. It must not have been expired more than one year and also must not be cancelled or suspended.

It would be up-to the discretion of the officer to issue you an Ontario Driving License.

Make sure to carry your driving history with you which you would need to obtain from DMV.

What if I have lost my most recent US Driving License?

Your application can still be processed if you have your prior US driving license (expired) and would be required to fill in a form that you lost your US Driving License at Service Ontario.

How long can I drive in Ontario with my US license?

As per official guidelines, new residents can use their license from prior US state for 60 days.

Would demerit points transfer from US driving license to Ontario?

Demerit points usually do not get transferred from your US driving license to your new Ontario License.

When you submit your documents, your driving history will be reviewed and if Ontario has a treaty recognizing points from a US state only then they will get transferred.

A Service Ontario officer would be able to advise you if your demerit points will get transferred from your State or not.

Which countries driving license can be exchanged in Canada?

You can exchange the license of the following countries for a Canadian Driver’s License

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Japan
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Ireland
• Switzerland
• Taiwan

How can I exchange Ontario License for Quebec?

Please follow our guide for exchanging out-of-province license for Quebec’s.

Global roaming data plans by Canadian Network Providers can be quite expensive. If you try to look the plans offered by one of the major network providers in Canada, it is very likely that the plan is going to cost you a few hundred bucks a month! If you don’t believe me, just look at Telus/Rogers/Bell website!

Telus charges around CAD $15 per day for roaming in 190+ international destinations! That is quite expensive! On top of that it’s not unlimited data! Data limit is based on your current plan!

Pricing for International Roaming from Rogers is same as well at $15 per day but limited to 185 countries compared to Telus which offers 190+ international destinations.

Turns out Bell offers the exact same pricing for international roaming on their plans! There is absolutely no difference in their offering.

While the 3 major telecom players in Canada offer the most expensive roaming plans, there is actually a provider that you could utilize and get global roaming at a very affordable price!

Three HK’s Plan Cost – Under CAD $50/Year

Believe it or not, but Three Hong Kong (3HK) offers a really good data plan that you could make use of. The price is very reasonable compared to any other network provider and it covers a number of countries! The Global Plan covers more than 100+ international destinations.

I took the opportunity to test the plan out while on roaming and felt that the speed results were quite good. You would be able to stream and download heavy content without any issues.

Known issues with 3HK Global Roaming Plan

There are two things you should know about while using this data plan –

• Since data is routed through Hong Kong, it might not be ideal to use it for work purposes. Please check with your organization if there would be any issues especially if you work with the government! If you are using the plan for personal consumption then you should be fine.
• High latency! Since data is routed through Hong Kong you are going to have higher latency than other providers. If you are planning to do mobile gaming then you might run into issues depending on what location you are in.
• A few websites might not be accessible.

How to get 3HK’s roaming plan?

You will have to either download an esim (if your phone supports one) or you will need to order a physical sim card. It can be a little tricky to get the physical sim card as 3HK doesn’t ship it outside Hong Kong but you can get it from eBay or other third party providers who will ship it to you without any issues.

You can checkout their plans here –
https://www.three.com.hk/prepaid/DIY/en/offer/travel

Note: Prices on their website are in Hong Kong Dollars

3HK Review

So far, I have been very happy with the service and have not had any issues using this service in the destinations covered by the plan.

Coverage is great and is actually better than even some of the local plans in the market as 3HK has deals with multiple providers in each country.

I have tested 3HK roaming plan in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, India and Colombia! I have ended up saving a lot of money using this plan.

Rating – 9/10