Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

We sat down with Haoran Wang of Youth BBQ, 9645 101A Avenue.

Why did you decide to open the restaurant?

Before I open this restaurant, I couldn’t find a Chinese BBQ restaurant in Edmonton. I realized that there are many Chinese immigrants and international students who really miss this type of food from “back home”.

How long has the restaurant been open?

Youth BBQ has been open for 8 years. We have re-branded and renovated this restaurant [formerly known as “Crystal BBQ”] over this summer.

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?

We specialize in Chinese skewer BBQ, which is very common and popular in Northern China.

What makes your restaurant special?

We use charcoal to grill our food, which brings out better flavours of food when compared to using gas or electric grills. Using charcoal to grill also keeps the meat skewers very tender and juicy. Some of our popular dishes are grilled oysters, lamb skewers, and grilled scallops with vermicelli noodle.

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?

You have many food options at good prices, and it is very convenient to dine in Chinatown.

Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?

I would like to see more people visiting Chinatown either to eat or shop, and more non-Chinese residents [coming] to learn more about the cultures in Chinatown.

Youth BBQ will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Main: Charcoal Grilled Whole Chicken Wing, 2 Beef Skewers, 2 Shrimp Skewers, Potato Chips, and Toast
Drink: choice of Pop

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next up, we interviewed Winnie from All Happy Family Restaurant, 10013 106 Avenue.

Why did you decide to open the restaurant? 

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 15 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.  

 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 4am, 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 will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Appetizer: 2 Spring Rolls
Main: Egg Fry Rice with choice of Ginger Beef or Mongolian Beef
Drink: choice of Pop

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next up, we met with Zihan Liu of Shijing Taste Mixer, #127, 9700 105 Avenue (Pacific Rim Mall).

Why did you decide to open the restaurant?

As a Chinese [person], I really enjoy Szechwan food a lot, which is a cuisine known for it’s spicy flavour from the chili pepper and Szechwan pepper used in the preparation. Many people may have heard of Szechwan hotpot, but they may not know that Ma-La-Xiang-Guo is also a very popular way of making food in the same region of China. Both my co-owner and I like Ma-La-Xiang-Guo and therefore we decided to run this restaurant. Many Chinese living here in Edmonton also find that our food reminds them of the taste “back home”.  

 How long has the restaurant been open? 

I opened the restaurant about 2 years ago.  

 What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant? 

Our name of the restaurant, “Shijing”, means “marketplace” in Chinese, and refers to a very local and street-like environment. This is because Ma-La-Xiang-Guo is usually found as street food in Szechwan and it is one of the most local tastes you will find if you visit. Ma-La-Xiang-Guo is similar to hotpot, where you choose different food ingredients from the menu and cook them all in the same pot. However, with Ma-La-Xiang-Guo the diners don’t need to cook it on the dining table; we cook it for you in the kitchen with our special Ma-La-Xiang-Guo sauce. I sometimes explain that it is like a stir-fried hotpot. 

 What makes your restaurant special? 

The key of Ma-La-Xiang-Guo is the sauce that we add when cooking the food. We have been testing different recipes and ingredients from the Szechwan [region in] China in order to improve our house-made Ma-La-Xiang-Guo sauce. We also offer Ma-La-Xiang-Guo in a milder spice level for those who are new to this cuisine. 

 Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown? 

There are lots of different food options in Chinatown as you c find many different types of cuisines from different parts of the world.  

 Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown? 

I would really hope that our Edmonton Chinatown becomes a more safe, clean and welcoming place for everyone to visit. This will make it feel more like a community.  

Shijing Taste Mixer will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Main: Chinese Malaxiangguo – choice of Chicken, Beef or Lamb, and Imitation Crab Stick, Fish Tofu, Potato Slices, Chinese Cabbage, and choice of Regular Noodles or Wide Rice Noodles
Drink: choice of Pop

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next up we spoke with Tina from Liuyishou Hot Pot, #168, 9700 105 Avenue (Pacific Rim Mall).

Why did you decide to open the restaurant? 

The initial motivation was actually quite simple. I lived in Edmonton for 3 years before opening this restaurant, and I struggled almost everyday because I had such a hard time choosing which restaurant to go to. There were not too many Chinese restaurants out there back then, not to mention an authentic franchise Szechwan hotpot restaurant which was already very popular and wide spread in China. Then the idea of opening such an authentic Szechwan hotpot restaurant came into my mind. I not only want to give all Chinese who are living in Edmonton the feeling of being back home when eating at Liuyishou Hotpot, but also wish that the locals can come out and enjoy delicious and traditional Chinese hotpot. Ultimately, I wish to present and spread the time-honoured Chinese food culture. 

How long has the restaurant been open? 

The restaurant has been open for two years.  

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant? 

We are a very traditional Chinese Szechwan hotpot restaurant; it is one of the best ways to share food with friends and family. “Hotpot “consists of a metal pot of broth sits on top of a burner at the centre of the table, while plates of raw meats, seafood, vegetables, and starches are presented all around the pot. Diners can choose different flavours of broth from the menu as well as their favourite food to cook in the broth. Hotpot is a perfect way to bring people together for quality time while enjoying a hearty meal.  

What makes your restaurant special? 

Founded in 2000, the Liuyishou Hotpot restaurant has grown from a single location on a small street in Chongqing, China to currently having over 1,200 locations around the world. 

Chinese hotpot has become immensely popular around the world given its interactive nature during the meal. Carefully selected ingredients such as premium marbled beef, wild mushrooms, seasonal greens, and other specialty foods, are cooked at your own table in broth to the perfect temperature. What separates Liuyishou from other hotpot restaurants is its healthy image with outstanding quality, and a blast of true Chinese traditional hotpot flavour. 

Most importantly, we are the only world-wide franchise hotpot restaurant in Edmonton which means that only Liuyishou Hotpot can provide the taste of authentic Chinese Szechwan style hotpot as if you are eating in the Szechwan [region itself]. 

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown? 

Edmonton’s Chinatown was established over 100 years ago. Over that time, Chinatown has become the point of western and Chinese cultural interaction. Food is one of the most important aspects of any culture, and it is one of the best ways to know the basics and trends of a culture. Dining in Chinatown is the perfect way of getting to know Chinese culture while enjoying delicious Chinese food. 

 Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown? 

Chinatown is facing increased social disorder, especially heath and safety challenges. I wish the City can evaluate the value of the Chinatown area and start renovating the area as there is a lot of business and tourism potential. I hope that Edmonton’s Chinatown can become a well-developed area that can provide the best platform in Edmonton for culture interaction and exchange. 

Liuyishou Hot Pot will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Main: Hot Pot Soup Base (choice of Original Spicy Soup, Wild Mixed Mushroom, or Tomato Soup), and Meat Ball Sampler (Cuttlefish, Shrimp, Beef), Sliced Marbled Beef, Fried Chinese Doughnut, and Shrimp Paste
Dessert: Glutinous Rice Cake

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

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?

33 years in Chinatown. We have also had a south side location for more than 10 years.

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].

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.

Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?

More people need to come down and experience Chinatown!

Hong Kong Bakery will be offering the following $10 takeaway special during Chinatown Dining Week:

Special: 2 Barbecue Pork Buns, 2 Coconut Buns, and 4 Macarons (Strawberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Marscapone, Lychee Raspberry, Rose Strawberry) 

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next to be profiled: we sat down with Andy Chung of Tea Bar Cafe, 10640 98 Street.

Why did you decide to open the restaurant?

When I first opened the restaurant, there was no bubble tea place in Edmonton. People had to go to Vancouver if they wanted to have bubble tea. Most people didn’t even know what bubble tea was. I chose to name the place Tea Bar Café because I wanted it to be easily recognizable. People know for sure that they can get tea here and I added “bar” because we also have a liquor licence; at night it is a lounge where people can come for drinks, order snacks and even sing karaoke.

How long has the restaurant been open?

20 years.

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?

I serve mainly bubble tea, and snack bar food. It is casual dining.

What makes your restaurant special?

Tea bar Café is the OG bubble tea place in Edmonton. I have been open since 2000 thus, it is the first and longest running bubble tea place in Edmonton. We offer a diverse drink menu accompanied with over 30 food items.

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?

Chinatown offers something that is different to other areas of the city, which makes it unique. There is a lot to try and explore in Edmonton’s Chinatown.

Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?

I hope Chinatown keeps getting better so that it becomes more welcoming for Edmontonians and people visiting from outside of Edmonton.

Tea Bar Cafe will be offering the following $10 takeaway special during Chinatown Dining Week:

Special: Red Bean Waffle and choice of Bubble Tea Drink

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next to be profiled: we sat down with Edgar Gutierrez, owner of Kanto 98 St. Eatery, 10636 98 Street.

Why did you decide to open the restaurant?

I have two other restaurants, Rostizado and Tres Carnales, that I run with my business partners. But It has always been my dream to open a restaurant [on my own]. Eating out was such a big part of my life growing up. It’s how my mom and I used to bond.

Kanto came about when I was taking Filipino martial arts that brought me back to my roots. I started researching more and just fell in love with the culture all over again and wanted to take it more seriously. So as soon as this space was open, I took over and opened Kanto. Before I came to Canada, I spent a lot of time outside; Kanto means “corner” or “where two streets meet”. [Back home] there were always steamed buns and barbeque sold on the streets. We would play “cara y cruz” (heads or tails), eat BBQ and read comics. Those were a part of my last memories in the Philippines. Kanto is a combination of all those things. It’s an accumulation of my love for food and the restaurant culture.

How long has the restaurant been open?

More than 1 year.

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?

We serve casual Filipino street food; it’s mostly an in and out type of setting. If you go anywhere in the Philippines you will find Bao (steamed buns}, fried chicken and barbeque being sold on the streets.

What makes your restaurant special?

There are a lot of Filipino restaurants in Edmonton, but they are all the same; I thought a different approach would widen the scope. Filipino food is very individualized which makes it hard to put it out in the mainstream. I researched trendy Filipino food and decided on items that were easier to introduce.

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?

Chinatown is so diverse; you can get Vietnamese, Chinese, African, Filipino food! It’s open late, very convenient, and close to downtown. There are lot of things you can do, from shopping, eating, and exploring. I come to Chinatown for inspiration.

Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?

I hope we resolve a lot of the health issues around Chinatown. I’m not sure how exactly to tackle the problems in Chinatown but maybe a bigger facility for the homeless that could be a one-stop shop for all their needs. A place where nobody gets turned away.

Kanto 98 St. Eatery will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Appetizer: Deviled Egg – palabok flavour, chicaron, green onions, lemon-fried garlic
Main: Mikki – Noodle Soup with Chicken Broth, Shiitake Mushrooms, Garlic, Green Onions, Fried Shallots and Hard Boiled Egg

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next to be profiled: we sat down with Maya of Padmanadi, 10740 101 Street.

Tell us a bit more about the restaurant. 

We are a family owned, vegan restaurant. There has been a lot of demand for plant-based food, eating healthy, and eating something that’s different, and people are open-minded about the type of food that we are serving. Our dishes are more to share – we encourage family-style sharing. This way you get to try different dishes.

How long has the restaurant been open? 

We have been around for 17 years. We used to be in Chinatown right on 97 Street. We outgrew ourselves about 10 years ago. It used to be a 60-seat restaurant, and now we have grown to 160 seats.  We also opened a second location on the southside in 2019.

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant? 

We are Indonesian, and my mum is Chinese. The type of food we serve is what we eat back home, which is Indonesian-Chinese food. We are also Buddhist, so we don’t use any garlic or onions in our cooking. We don’t use any egg or dairy, and everything is completely plant-based.

What makes your restaurant special? 

When people think of vegan food, people think about raw, or salad-based foods. What we serve is more like vegan comfort-food – not mac and cheese type of comfort food, but with rice, curry, ginger sauce, and a bit of spice. We cater to various types of people [who love food]. We also serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. We also have a lot of lactose-free customers who enjoy our food a lot.

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown? 

Small local grocery stores have started selling lots of products that cater to special needs such as halal food and other dietary restrictions.

Chinatown is a destination for everyone  – you can find good Chinese/Asian food in Chinatown and there are things that you will learn and experience differently in a smaller shop or restaurant.

 Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown? 

We shouldn’t cover our eyes on the issues that we have (as the issue is not going to go away). There’s a lot of social welfare in Chinatown, and it doesn’t have to be negative. We need to look at it from a different perspective, instead of judging it from only one side. I really hope Chinatown will thrive!

Padmanadi will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Appetizer: Daily Soup and two Spring Rolls
Main: choice of Curry Chicken, Ginger Beef, or Vegetable Deluxe (gluten-free), and Jasmine Rice
Dessert: Coconut Mousse

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next to be profiled: we sat down with Rajendra Singh of Namaste India, 10023 107 Avenue.

Tell us a bit more about the restaurant.

Not many people know that we serve Indian meals in Chinatown. We also cater to halal and vegetarian customers.

How long has the restaurant been open?

We opened the first Namaste India in the west end in 2015. This location opened in October 2017.

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant?

We serve Indian favourites. Our most popular dish is butter chicken, but [I would also recommend] chicken lababdar, cooked in an onion and bell pepper-based sauce.

What makes your restaurant special?

Our buffet is very popular – we offer nine hot dishes plus salad and dessert. We usually have a different fish and vegetarian special, too. Most of our buffet items are gluten-free, and we have vegan items as well.

We are one of just a few Indian restaurants that serve chicken malai tikka, a mild, creamy dish cooked in the tandoor oven. Our mango prawns sauteed in a mango sauce are also special.

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown?

I think people should know more about Chinatown – the area has a bad reputation.

Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?

My main hope is that the area becomes busier and more crowded.

Namate India will be offering the following dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Appetizer/main/dessert: Buffet with Salad Bar, Savoury Dishes (4 Meat and 5 Vegetarian), and Dessert, with Naan Bread and Chai

Check out other special menus, here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next to be profiled: we sat down with Linda Hoang, the daughter of the owners of King Noodle House Pho Hoang, 10613 97 Street.

What’s the origin of the restaurant?

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 23 years; 14 years at the current location.

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).

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.

As your restaurant participated in Chinatown Dining Week over the past two years, can you tell us about that experience?

We were thrilled to participate in Chinatown Dining Week! We definitely get most of our customers coming through at lunch and during the day, so this was an opportunity to bring in more customers in the evening, and also introduce our food to Edmontonians who may not have tried our dishes before. This year we’re throwing a drink into the combo mix.

Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown?

We hope Edmonton’s Chinatown becomes as vibrant and well-visited as some of the other popular streets in the city.

King Noodle House Pho Hoang will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Appetizer: Spring Roll and Pork Ball Platter
Main: choice of Large Pho
Drink: choice of Vietnamese Iced Coffee or Lemonade

Check out other special menus, here.