Richmond Tops the Menu at Leading Restaurant Awards

Dining hotspots, memorable dishes and top chefs throughout Richmond have won a hearty serving of praise in the latest edition of the region’s prestigious Chinese Restaurant Awards. The popular celebration of Metro Vancouver’s best Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine recently announced its Elite 15 top local restaurants––while also designating six Specialty Awards as well as its much-anticipated Critics Choice Signature Dish Awards.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS WINNERS

A top team of 21 food critics and dining experts––including Lee Mann, Brendon Matthews, Bernice Chan and Alexandra Gill––formed the judging panel this time around, offering their independent assessments and recommendations on the region’s finest culinary accomplishments. That includes this year’s specialty Individual Awards, where Richmond won four of the six designated accolades.

Best New Restaurant

The year’s Best New Restaurant was named as Richmond’s JiangNan Wok. Opened in summer 2024, it has quickly gained an enthusiastic following for its contemporary take on Huaiyang cuisine.

Dim Sum Chef of the Year

Also among the Specialty Awards, the Dim Sum Chef of the Year was announced as Lai Wei, who works his dumpling-based magic at Richmond’s Lanxuan Restaurant.

Chinese Master Chef

He’s joined at the top table by May Chau Siu-May, awarded the title of Chinese Master Chef for her celebrated work over two decades as chef and owner of the city’s Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant.

Elite Service Crew Member of the Year

The awards also recognized the immense contribution great service can make to dining out by selecting Lisa Zhang––restaurant manager at Richmond’s The Fish Man––as Elite Service Crew Member of the Year.

Elite 15 Winners

Speaking of elite, the latest edition of the Chinese Restaurant Awards also announced its Elite 15 winners. Carefully considered by the judging panel, these are the region’s finest and most authentic places to eat––complete with recommended dishes to try at each. Once again, Richmond dominated, winning eight of the available awards.

Bamboo Grove

Fans of Cantonese cuisine will find four Richmond eateries on this year’s Elite roster. These include Bamboo Grove, where recommended dishes include Fried Herb Lamb Chop and Stir-fried Geoduck with Scrambled Eggs.

Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant

There’s also Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant, where the must-try Shunde dishes range from Sweet and Sour Pork with Fresh Fruit to Chef’s Special Stuffed Duck.

Jade Seafood Restaurant

Still hungry? Cantonese fans should also head to Jade Seafood Restaurant, a hugely popular city eatery where the judges recommend dishes such as Dry Fried Vermicelli with Dried Shrimp and Scallop and Deep-fried Spicy and Salty Tofu.

Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant

Joining this year’s awards is another Cantonese favourite: Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant, where must-try dishes include Winter Melon Soup and Sweet and Salted Egg Yolk Dungeness Crab over Rice Cakes.

Max Noodle House

Craving a great noodle and congee experience? The city’s Max Noodle House has also been recognized for its richly authentic Hong Kong-style approach, with top dishes including Wonton Noodles and Braised Pork Hock.

Memory Corner

Equally memorable Taiwanese cuisine is in the spotlight over at Memory Corner, where the judges recommend diving into Sesame Chicken with Angel Hair Noodles, Braised Pork Rice Bowl and more.

Osmanthus Chinese Fusion Restaurant

Richmond-based Jiangnan cuisine specialists Osmanthus Chinese Fusion Restaurant was also designated an Elite dining experience. The recommended dishes here range from Shanghai-Style Smoked Fish to Drunken Crab with Huadiao Wine.

The Fish Man

And spice fans should also book a table at the city’s Sichuan hotspot The Fish Man, where the judge’s favourites include Lobster Sticky Rice as well as Sour Cabbage Fish Hotpot.

SIGNATURE DISH WINNERS

But that’s not all. The Critic’s Choice Signature Dish Awards have been a hotly debated feature of the Chinese Restaurants Awards since its first year. Chosen by a top team of six judges, these recognize incredible Metro Vancouver dishes that are highly notable for their exceptional flavour as well as their cultural significance in the realm of Chinese and Taiwanese dining.

This time around, Richmond won the lion’s share of Signature Dish accolades, scooping a mighty 11 of the 15 available prizes. Together, these dishes are a roadmap of the region’s finest foodie experiences for fans of Chinese and Taiwanese dining.

JiangNan Wok

The accolades start at JiangNan Wok, where the must-have entrée is A Handful of Pepper Fried Eel Paste with Emerald Vegetable Rice.

Bliss Kitchen

Over on No. 3 Road, Dry Beef Honeycomb Tripe is the designated Signature Dish at Bliss Kitchen.

Cloud 9 Delicacy

From there, it’s a short hop over to the Empire Centre Food Court, where Cloud 9 Delicacy serves its delicious Fried Pork Ribs on Rice to in-the-know fans.

Max Noodle House

Max Noodle House has been a Richmond dining mainstay for many years but this year’s judges note that it’s still at the top of its game with its Lo-Mein with Stewed Pork Hock dish.

Cha Kee

And when a serving of home-style Scallion Sauce Chicken on Rice is required, the judges suggest heading straight to Richmond’s Cha Kee in the President Plaza Food Court, where it is perfectly prepared.

Yuan’s Garden Restaurant

Another great Signature Dish––Salty Duck in Nanking Style–– is on the menu at Yuan’s Garden Restaurant.

Lanxuan Restaurant

Richmond’s Lanxuan Restaurant is also recommended for its delicious Puff Pastry BBQ Pork Buns.

Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant

The aforementioned Winter Melon Soup is also a designated dish at Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant.

The Fish Man

The judges also note that The Fish Man’s spicy Typhoon Shelter Geoduck should not be missed under any circumstances.

Excellent Tofu & Snacks

Save room for a little more, though. Although known for desserts, popular Richmond fixture Excellent Tofu & Snacks has also won a Signature Dish designation for its silky Soy Pudding Shanghai Style, topped with pickled vegetables, deep-fried doughnut and more. It’s a memorable and brilliantly executed dish. And like all of this year’s Richmond winners, you’ll be craving a second helping as soon as possible.

Last Updated on January 8, 2025 by Tourism Richmond