Thanks to everyone who took part in Chinatown Dining Week this year! The food and hospitality at 15 businesses was showcased over 11 delicious days, and based on the feedback, Edmontonians came out in droves to #eatyegchinatown!
Some of the businesses have even chosen to extend their deals based on popular demand*:
$10 Special: 1 Original Egg Waffle and 1 Bubble Tea
China Marble has extended its deal indefinitely:
$20 Special: Salt and Pepper Pork Chop on Steamed Rice, plus 1 Green Onion Cake and Bowl of Soup of the Day
$10 Special: Shanghai Noodles or XO Vermicelli
*offers are subject to change; please check with the business directly for most updated information.
We also wanted to extend a special thank you to the City of Edmonton for financial support, and to the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative for accepting the funding on our behalf.
We hope everyone continues to #eatyegchinatown year-round!
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
Last but not least, we interviewed the co-owner of 97 Hot Pot, Kai Li.
Why did you decide to open the restaurant?
I was friends with the previous owners, and two of them were selling their shares as they were moving to the next chapter of their lives. I was looking for new opportunities at the time, and the hot pot business had caught my interest.
How long has the restaurant been open?
The restaurant first opened in 2013, and I took over in August 2021.
What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?
We offer individual hotpots with different Asian-flavoured soup base options, such as Tom Yum Kung (most popular), Malaysian Curry, Japanese Miso, and Szechuan Spicy Chicken.
$20 Chinatown Dining Week special from 97 Hot Pot
What makes your restaurant special?
Besides offering individual hotpots, all of our mashed meats are made in-house. We get fresh hot pot ingredient deliveries every day to ensure the freshness of our food.
Why doyou think people should dine in Chinatown?
It’s a place for diners to enjoy authentic and fusion food experiences. Besides the foods, we always make sure we have Chinese décor which adds to the overall dining experience.
97 Hot Pot will be offering the following special during Chinatown Dining Week. It is valid for dine-in only:
$20 Special: Special Lunch Menu (choice of soup base + choice of 6 items + 1 cream cheese wonton + 1 pop), available daily 11am-4pm only
10602 97 Street (587) 521-1888 Business open daily 11am-12am (last call is 11:30pm)
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
My family and I had been in the restaurant businesses for over 8 years before we moved to Edmonton. When we moved here, we wanted to continue doing what we are familiar with and picked this location because it’s close to the downtown area and surrounded by the Chinese community. Before we started this restaurant, there weren’t many restaurant options for family style/comfort food around town that would be open late at night; yet there was a demand for it, especially for those who get off work very late. We thought that this could be a great opportunity for us.
How long has the restaurant been open?
We have been open for over 18 years in Chinatown.
What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?
Our dishes are mainly Cantonese style, which is from the Cantonese (or Guangdong) province in China. We make dishes that are authentic and have also adapted western flavours in some of our menu items.
All Happy Family’s $20 Chinatown Dining Week special
What makes your restaurant special?
We have a very extensive menu which offers over 180 options to our customers. Diners can always find something they like from our menu! We have late night hours every day as we open from 11am to 2am, 7 days a week.
Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?
People should dine in Chinatown more as you will find options for Chinese food as there are many authentic cultural food options here.
Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?
I hope our Chinatown becomes a safer environment with better streets, and to have reduced social issues in the area.
All Happy Family Restaurant will be offering the following special during Chinatown Dining Week. It is valid for both in-person dining and pick-up.
$20 Special: 1-Person Combo (Ginger Beef, 2 Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls, Soya Sauce Chow Mein and a Can of Pop)
Orders can be made via phone or in-person 10013 106 Avenue (780) 421-8297 Daily 11am-2am
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
We interviewed David Yu, Manager of Spirit Bistro. They are participating in Chinatown Dining Week for the first time this year.
Why did you decide to open the restaurant?
Our family owned and operated a restaurant on the north end of the city for over a decade and we sold it back in 2016. My parents deeply missed the industry and the feeling of being their own boss and owning a restaurant, which ultimately led us into deciding to open up Spirit Bistro.
How long has the restaurant been open?
We have been open for 2 years.
Spirit Bistro’s $20 Chinatown Dining Week special
What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?
Chinese take-out.
What makes your restaurant special?
Although not exclusive to just our business, our whole entire family supports and contributes to the restaurant whether that is through monetary means or through direct work, which has allowed us to provide better food and service to the community.
Spirit Bistro’s $10 Chinatown Dining Week special
Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?
I believe Chinatown serves as an important location for community building in the city. It allows people from other backgrounds to gain a better understanding of Chinese and Vietnamese food & culture especially through the lenses of earlier immigrants that arrived in Edmonton many years ago. Simultaneously, Chinatown provides newer immigrants and Edmontonians a spot to communicate and to bond with one another (e.g., Dim Sum gatherings, Hotpot).
Spirit Bistro will be offering the following specials during Chinatown Dining Week. They are valid for pick-up only:
$20 Special: Choice of –
Big Rice Noodle with Beef on Classic Soy Sauce or XO Sauce (seafood sauce), plus 2 Spring Rolls and choice of Wonton Soup or Hot & Sour Soup
Chicken with Salted Fish Fried Rice or Classic Chicken Fried Rice, plus 2 Spring Rolls and choice of Wonton Soup or Hot & Sour Soup
$10 Special: Choice of –
Big Rice Noodle with Beef on Classic Soy Sauce or XO Sauce (seafood sauce);
Chicken with Salted Fish Fried Rice or Classic Chicken Fried Rice
Orders can be made via phone or in-person (780) 425-0183 10824 97 Street, Unit #3 Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 1pm-10pm
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
Next to be profiled: we spoke with Chip Tang of Hong Kong Bakery, 10649 97 Street.
Tell us a bit about your business.
Hong Kong Bakery was the first Chinese bakery to open in Alberta. My parents immigrated from Hong Kong to Alberta in 1977, and opened a bakery in Calgary in 1978. In 1986, they relocated to Edmonton and opened the current Chinatown bakery that same year.
How long has the business been open?
36 years in Chinatown. We have also had a south side location for more than 10 years.
$10 Chinatown Dining Week special from Hong Kong Bakery
What is the type of food served at the business?
We serve authentic Chinese and Hong Kong-style pastries and buns. We also offer European-style pastries, which reflects how Hong Kong offers international food. We’ve continued to build on the variety we sell, and are proud to feature our house-made macarons!
What makes your business special?
We make everything from scratch from simple ingredients and no mixes, including the fillings. For example, we are the only bakery who makes our own red bean paste!
Many people also know Hong Kong Bakery because of the green onion cakes we serve at the Taste of Edmonton. We sell these frozen at the bakery [for people to make at home].
$20 Chinatown Dining Week special from Hong Kong Bakery
Why do you think people should shop in Chinatown?
Chinatown has unique, ethnic businesses that are mostly family-run. There is a personality in Chinatown that is different from box stores.
Hong Kong Bakery will be offering the following special during Chinatown Dining Week. It is valid for dine-in or take-out:
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
A group of friends came together to open the restaurant after years of working in the food industry. The restaurant is named to represent the sauces and bases used for hot pot that is influenced by different Asian cuisines from countries such as China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea. Thus, the name Asian Express Hot Pot.
How long has the restaurant been open?
12 years.
What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?
We serve individual hotpots with your choice of bases and sauces.
Asian Express Hot Pot’s $20 Chinatown Dining Week special
What makes your restaurant special?
We offer over 30 different sauces for variety, so there is something for everyone!
Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?
Edmonton’s Chinatown is a diverse community with a lot to offer! It is a one-stop shop for all your needs; you can shop, dine, and take in the beautiful scenery and culture at the same time. There is a lot to discover in Chinatown!
Asian Express Hot Pot will be offering the following special during Chinatown Dining Week. It is valid for dine-in or pick-up.
$20 Special: Special Combo (Soup Base + Noodles or Rice + Choice of 4 Items) + 2 Spring Rolls or 2 fried golden buns
Orders can be made via phone or in-person 10586 100 Street (780) 421-8300 Monday-Thursday 4-11pm, Friday 4pm-12am, Saturday-Sunday 11am-12am,
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
Next up, we interviewed Khuyen Wales, Director at The Moth Cafe.
Why did you decide to open the restaurant?
Our food journey, at the time, led us down a path of exploring and creating plant-based dishes and learning about the benefits of vegetables and herbs. When we were given the opportunity to open a restaurant on the east side of the city we decided to jump on it. Chinatown and Boyle has always held a special place in our memory because this is where we started our lives as immigrants.
How long has the restaurant been open?
Just over 5 years.
Lemongrass Minty Vermicelli + Spring Roll Chinatown Dining Week special from The Moth
What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?
Plant-based.
What makes your restaurant special?
I really don’t see us being special. We’re a family. We take care in everything we do, and we try to live and treat others the way that feels good to the human spirit. We sleep well at night.
Purple Yam Risotto Chinatown Dining Week special from The Moth
Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?
Chinatown is a hot spot for many family owned businesses. The food scene here is diverse and that alone is worth a visit to the area. The community support goes a long way.
The Moth Cafe will be offering the following specials during Chinatown Dining Week. They are valid for dine-in only:
$20 Special: Choice of –
Lemongrass Minty Vermicelli + Spring Rolls: sautéed lemongrass with bean curd, soy protein muttons (contains wheat), bell pepper, onion, cucumber, bean sprouts, mint, mixed greens, fried onion shallots and roasted peanuts served in citrus sauce. Served with two spring rolls.
Purple Yam Risotto: creamy brown rice risotto slow cooked in purple yam coconut sauce, garnished with salted caramelized shiitake mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables
Orders can be made in-person (780) 244-9702 9449 Jasper Avenue Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
Next up to be profiled is Shan Shan Bakery, another returning restaurant to Chinatown Dining Week. We sat with the bakery’s Shanshan Wang.
Savoury buns at Shan Shan Bakery
Why did you decide to open the bakery?
My husband had been operating both Chinese and Western bakeries for over 30 years, with experience in Vancouver. About 10 years ago, we decided to open our own store here in Edmonton.
How long has the bakery been open?
10 years.
Egg tarts from Shan Shan Bakery
What is the style of food served at the bakery?
We make mainly Chinese bakery products and some western items.
What makes your bakery special?
With over 30 years of professional baking experience, we produce over 100 types of pastry items from our kitchen here. We also make custom cake for parties and events.
Shan Shan’s Chinatown Dining Week special
Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?
There are lots of dining options in Chinatown and they usually have a really good price – more bang for the buck! Chinatown is also a very convenient location in the city as it’s near downtown.
Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?
I hope that more people would come to experience and learn about the Chinatown’s culture, business and community. I also hope that issues like homelessness and safety would be improved in the near future.
Shan Shan will be offering the following special during Chinatown Dining Week. It is valid for pick-up only:
$20 Special: Gift certificate valued at $24
In-person orders only, payment by cash only 10552 97 Street (780) 974-7788 Daily 10am-7pm
Until the start of Chinatown Dining Week, we’ll be featuring each of the 15 businesses who are participating in this year’s event, running January 26 – February 5, 2023. All businesses are offering special deals during this period for $10 and/or $20. Check out all of the menus here.
This is a family run restaurant, originating with our family in Vietnam. “King Noodle House” was added in the name for an easier Canadian takeaway. Plus Dad / Owner ‘Moustache Man’ likes to think of himself as a King, and also that our pho is the “King” of all phos (lol).
How long has the restaurant been open?
It’s been open for 27 years.
$20 Chinatown Dining Week special from King Noodle House Pho Hoang
What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?
We specialize in Vietnamese noodle soup (pho) but offer some vermicelli dishes as well. But the speciality is our pho. With pho, it’s all about the broth, and our broth recipe stands out from most pho broths you’ll try.
What makes your restaurant special?
King Noodle House is one of the oldest running Vietnamese restaurants in Edmonton! We are known for serving the best pho in town (and beyond—we have people who say they need to stop for our pho when they come in from out of town, and people who tell us pho they’ve tried in Vietnam doesn’t compare to ours!). We are so grateful for our customers and this recognition, and are proud of the pho we serve. Our pho broth recipe has been passed down 3 generations. Customers also like to be served by the “Moustache Man” (his grumpiness is charming for most).
King Noodle House’s famous Moustache Man
Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?
Chinatown is a great hub for delicious and affordable food. There are a lot of great restaurants where you can experience authentic, quality Southeast Asian cuisine. A majority of the restaurants in the neighbourhood are family owned and operated, which is always worth supporting. It’s so close to downtown and yet often can be overlooked by Edmontonians thinking of where or what they should eat. It’s truly a gem for local shops and tasty cuisine.
King Noodle House Pho Hoang will be offering the following special during Chinatown Dining Week. They are valid for dine-in or pick-up:
$20 Special: choose from Combo A or B; please note restaurant closed January 26-31
Combo A – Bun Bo Hue (Vietnamese Lemongrass Soup with vermicelli noodles, beef and pork) + Spring Rolls / Grilled Pork Balls Combo Platter + a Can of Pop
Combo B – Bun Bo Hue + Spring Rolls / Grilled Pork Balls Combo Platter + Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Orders can be made via phone, text, e-mail, or in-person 10613 97 Street 780-428-8983 (by phone) or 780-903-2247 (by text) or kingnoodlehousephohoang@gmail.com Wednesday-Sunday 10am-7pm, closed Monday and Tuesday
Edmonton Chinatown 
