Panel picks the top signature dishes of local restaurants
Mia Stainsby
Sun
Help! That’s what’s needed in sorting out the good from the bad in the density of Chinese restaurants in Metro Vancouver. This week, we got exactly that from a panel of local Chinese food experts in awarding 23 restaurants Signature Dish Awards in 25 categories, the first of what is planned to be an annual venture. The dining public also got a chance to have their say with the Diners’ Choice Awards and cast their votes for best Chinese restaurants online. (See both sets of winning restaurants, below.)
“It was decided that the awards would be given in the same way the Chinese community chooses a restaurant, by what to eat, rather than where to eat,” judges said of the Signature Dish Awards.
Once the dishes were nominated, the seven judges ate their way through five dishes a week over 16 weeks. Here’s what the judges said about the awards:
Stephen Wong, food writer and cookbook author: “As the earliest adopters of local ingredients, Chinese chefs in Vancouver have a long history of creating signature dishes that have not only inspired the current local cuisine movement, but have gained a loyal following among visitors from across the Pacific.”
Conrad Leung, head of Asian Culinary Program at Vancouver Community College: “The rationale behind awarding signature dishes is how appropriately it defines the Chinese love for quality food and divine flavour, a passion that triumphs above other elements, such as atmosphere and service.”
B.C. Lee, Chinese community leader: “Compared to New York ,where I had coffee and sandwiches for lunch most of the time, I am totally spoiled in Vancouver where I can enjoy dim sum, congee or dumplings, northern or Cantonese Chinese noodles any day, within walking distance.”
Lee F. Man, food writer: “What I discovered, and did not surprise me, was that outside of greater China, Vancouver‘s Chinese cuisine was probably the best in the world. Demanding and informed diners, skilled and passionate restaurateurs, and engaged local media all combine to keep Vancouver standards exceedingly high.”
Bensan Li, columnist and CBC international Asian program host: “Here in Vancouver there is no shortage of skilled Chinese chefs and their scrumptious culinary creations. Their larger than life stories of how they came to this strange land, started building new dreams and new careers in their known trades with bare hands and years of experience. Little did they know, they also laid a strong foundation that flourishes in Greater Vancouver’s promising Chinese food horizon. These are true pioneers who introduced authentic Chinese cuisine to Western Canada.”
Iris Yim, senior editor, Ming Pao: “The emergence of the Signature Dish Awards is not only timely, but also the best way to pay tribute to the hard working men and women behind these divine dishes which we so much enjoy.”
Stephanie Yuen, food writer, broadcaster, restaurant consultant: “[With these awards] the Chinese culinary enjoyment will definitely expand and non-Chinese will no longer be confused by the overwhelming selection of Chinese restaurants.”
BEST SIGNATURE DISHES
MOST INNOVATIVE DISH
Guoba (crispy rice) with Salty Egg Yolk: Long’s Noodle House, 4853 Main St., 604-879-7879
Crab
Golden Dungeness Crab with Spice Salt: Ken’s Chinese Restaurant, 1097 Kingsway, 604-873-6338
King Crab
Live King Crab in 4 Courses: Excelsior Restaurant, 6340 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-278-2616
Shrimp
Sauteed Spot Prawns with Soya Sauce: Koon Bo Restaurant, 5682 Fraser St., 604-323-1218
Lobster
Lobster in Two Courses: Shiang Garden, 4540 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-273-8858
NORTHERN/SHANGHAI-STYLE
Dim Sum
Shanghai-Style Juicy Dumpling: Lin Chinese Cuisine and Tea House, 1537 West Broadway, 604-733-9696
CANTONESE/HONG KONG-STYLE
Dim Sum
Steamed Rice Rolls with Pork Liver: Shun Feng Seafood, 4380 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-304-6088
Congee
Liver and Meatball Congee: Mak’s Noodle House, 8291 Alexandra Rd., Richmond, 604-231-8141
Noodles & Rice
Beef Tendon and Won Ton Noodle Soup: Tsim Cha Noodles, 8251 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, 604-273-6288
Barbecue
Roasted Pork: Parker Place BBQ, 4380 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-233-1138
Vegetarian
Taro Hot Pot: Bo Kong, 8100 Ackroyd Rd., Richmond, 604-278-1992
Cold Appetizer
Jellied Pork: Shanghai River, 7831 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, 604-233-8885
Chinese Dessert
Golden Pumpkin with Honeyed Walnut: Yan’s Garden Restaurant, 9948 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, 604-421-8823
Chinese Pastry
Apple Tart: New Town Bakery, 158 East Pender St., 604-681-1828
Soup
Wine Chicken Soup: Wonton King, 620 S.E. Marine Dr., 604-321-4433
Fish
Steamed Sable Fish in Bamboo Steamers: Sea Harbour, 3711 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-232-0816
Geoduck
Sautéed Geoduck with Mixed Vegetables: Jade Dynasty Restaurant, 137 East Pender St., 604-683-3822
Scallop
Scallop-stuffed Zigua: Jade Dynasty Restaurant, 137 East Pender St., 604-683-3822
Clam
Grilled Clams: VIP’s Restaurant, 1487 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, 604-925-1811
Pork
Roast Suckling Pig: Kirin Restaurant, 555 West 12th Ave., 604-879-8038
Beef
Sautéed Beef with Chinese Long Bread: Flamingo Chinese Restaurant, 7510 Cambie St., 604-325-4511
LAMB/GOAT/MUTTON
Lamb Hot Pot: Sun Sui Wah, 3888 Main St., 604-872-8822
Chicken
Chicken Hot Pot: Jade Seafood Restaurant, 8511 Alexandra Rd., Richmond, 604-249-0082
Duck
Stuffed Duck: Shanghai Wonderful, 8380 Lansdowne Rd., Richmond, 604-278-8829
Squab
Roasted Squab: Sea Harbour Seafood, 3711 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-232-0816
DINERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
Best Dim Sum Restaurant: Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant, 3888 Main St., 604-872-8822
Best Cantonese Restaurant: Mui Garden, 5797 Victoria Dr., 604-324-3665
Best Northern Chinese Restaurant: Shanghai River Restaurant, 7831 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, 604-233-8885
Best Hot Pot Restaurant: Chubby Lamb Hotpot Restaurant, 8391 Alexandra Rd., Richmond, 604-303-8843
Best Taiwanese Restaurant: Bubble Tea Café Well Tea, 4811 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond, 604-278-7268
Best HK Style Cafe: Gloucester Cafe, 3338 Cambie St., 604- 873-3338.
Best Noodle Soup Restaurant: Sha Lin Noodle House, 548 West Broadway, 604-873-1816
Best Congee Restaurant: Hon’s Wun Tun House, 268 Keefer St., 604-688-0871
Best Chinese Bakery Shop: Anna’s Cake House, 5510 Cambie St., 604-325-8214
Best BBQ Shop/Restaurant: BBQ Master, 4651 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-272-6568
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