Want to eat your way through Vancouver's historic Chinatown neighbourhood? This just-released list of must-try dishes, curated by a well-respected local food figure, can serve as a template for an incredible feast - all within just a few key city blocks.
The Top 10 Dishes were selected as part of an exciting collaboration between the Chinese Restaurant Awards (CRA) and Vancouver Chinatown Foundation (VCF) and the list has dropped just ahead of the second annual Light Up Chinatown! festival, taking place September 10 through 12.
Of course, you can seek out these dishes, spanning an array of cuisines, styles, flavours, and prices, any time you're hungry to explore Chinatown. The selections "showcase staple classics and modern creations to represent the distinctive flavours of Chinatown," notes the CRA in a media release. Restaurants featured include the iconic Phnom Penh, old school New Town Bakery and new school Kouign Cafe bakery, elegant Kissa Tanto, and the recently re-opened Daisy Garden, among others.
"Curated by the Awards’ judging chair Lee Man, the Top 10 List is a comprehensive guide to encourage locals and travellers to visit Chinatown," elaborates VCF Chair Carol Lee.
Here are Man's picks for the essential must-try dishes on offer in Chinatown right now:
- BBQ Duck with Noodle in Soup at Chinatown BBQ - 130 E Pender St
- Butter Beef at Phnom Penh Restaurant - 244 E Georgia St
- Bún Chả Hà Nội at DD Mau Chinatown - 145 E Pender St
- Century Egg with House tofu at Fat Mao Noodles - 217 E Georgia St
- Curry Beef Brisket on Rice at Daisy Garden Kitchen - 142 E Pender St
- Singapore Fried Noodles at Ming Fong Fast Food - 180 Keefer St
- Steamed BBQ Pork Rice Rolls at Sun Fresh Bakery - 245 Keefer St
- Steamed Dai Bao at New Town Bakery and Restaurant - 148 E Pender St
- Tajarin (butter, roasted mushrooms, miso cured yolk) at Kissa Tanto - 263 E Pender St
- White Rabbit Cookie at Kouign Café - 18 E Pender St
In addition to coming up with the list of foods to check out, the CRA and VCF have also shared a list of people they're calling the "5 Chinatown Legends."
"The Chinatown Legends list celebrates Chinatown’s core players who not only worked hard for their thriving businesses, but are also Chinatown’s beloved representatives," describes Lee.
The five Chinatown Legends are:
- Cindy So, staff of Carley BBQ & Hotpot Supplies - 255 E Georgia St
- Daniel Lui, owner of The Chinese Tea Shop - 101 E Pender St
- Jimmy Chiong, owner of Garlock Seafood - 252 E Georgia St
- Joey Wong, owner of Dollar Meat Store - 266 E Pender St
- Smitty Ho, staff of Maxim’s Bakery - 257 Keefer St
“Pulling together the threads of newcomers and old school business is the essence of how Chinatown's influence is felt throughout Vancouver - how our city creates community and meaning. Here we want to honour businesses and the people who have worked in them for decades. Quietly going about their businesses - resolutely dignified regardless of the challenges they have experienced,” says Man.
