We Ate Every Type of Dumpling on the Richmond Dumpling Trail
Richmond, British Columbia is home to some of the best Asian cuisine in North America and that’s thanks to diverse Asian population, of which more than half is Chinese.
Today we’re exploring the Richmond Dumpling Trail, a collection of more than 20 restaurants that serve up some variation of the dumpling. Crunchy, chewy, steamed or deep-fried, nearly every culture around the world has their version of the dumpling, and today we’re sampling five.
As many of these spots offer truly authentic dining experiences, you’ll want to make sure you bring cash — and a group of friends. The portions are big.
Dim Sum
First up: Empire Restaurant, where you’ll find authentic & high-quality Chinese cuisine. They’ve got a variety of dim sum dishes and as far as dumplings go, you’ll find all the essentials: har gow (shrimp wrapped in a tapioca starch pastry), siu mai, and xiao long bao, also known as the soup dumpling.
This place fills up fast, so you’ll want to get here early.
Mandu
Next up: Samsoonie Noodle & Rice, a restaurant that serves up every type of Korean dish you can imagine, including mandu, the Korean version of a dumpling. They’re steamed, boiled, pan-fried, or deep-fried, stuffed with pork or beef, and served with a side of kimchi. If you’re looking for an authentic Korean feast, this is your spot.
Shui Jiao
Next we’re heading to Szechuan House, located in the food court of the Aberdeen Centre, one of the largest Asian shopping malls in North America. Here we’re sampling shui jao, a water-boiled dumpling that you’ll find throughout Asia. At Szechuan House, they make around 600 dumplings, every day so you’re guaranteed a hot & fresh order. They’re coated in a spicy numbing sauce that you’ve got to experience to understand.
We’re heading from the food court to Beijang Restaurant, a spot that specializes in gourmet Halal meat dishes cooked in traditional Uyghur style. Here we’re trying more shui jao, this time, stuffed with lamb and beef. And a ton of other dishes to go with them — like this stunning lobster fried rice.
Bang Bot Lao
Our last stop on the Dumpling Trail is Banh Mi Tres Bon, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant that bang bot lao the Vietnamese dumpling that is wrapped in a thin tapioca skin. It’s bite-sized and chewy, and the perfect appetizer to any meal.
So there you have it, just five spots on Richmond’s Dumpling Trail but we’ll leave you to explore the rest. If you’ve got a favourite, let us know! See you next time… à la prochaine!
Looking for a more upscale experience? Check out our stay at Parq Vancouver, a new entertainment complex with two luxury hotels and incredible dining options!
