It's not the first time and it won't be the last time: The Asian food in Metro Vancouver has been called out by a major publication as being the best in North America.
The honours this time belong to Richmond, and the source is the New York Times. (And the NY Times loves Vancouver food, too; earlier this year their main critic wrote about his love for our Kissa Tanto.)
In the article "The Best Asian Food in North America? Try British Columbia" published June 4, 2018, writer Taras Grescoe--a Richmond native--talks about not only a childhood spent living in Vancouver (and calling Richmond "Ditchmond," which sparks memories of my own youth, to be certain) but also a vast appreciation of the evolution of the Asian food landscape in the community.
HK BBQ Master (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
"Richmond has become a one-stop paradise for lovers of Asian food," he writes, crediting the scope of the Asian immigrant population who has set up home and shop--restaurants, food court stalls, night market stands, specifically--in the suburb south of the Fraser.
Among the food stops in this verbal and visual tour of Richmond's bounty: Richmond Night Market, HK BBQ Master, Parklane, Steveston Village (for fresh seafood), Kirin, Golden Paramount, Xi’an Cuisine in the Richmond Public Market, and O’Tray Noodles--though his footer with suggestions of where to eat include a few other standouts.
“Richmond has the best Chinese food outside of greater China — full stop,” says Vancouver writer Lee Man in the NY Times piece. Man and I had a similar recent conversation at the time of the 10th annual Chinese Restaurant Awards.
What it comes down to are the quality of ingredients here in Metro Vancouver, from the fresh local produce to the abundance of seafood, and the skill with which those foods are used to create incredible dishes that the well-trained local palate can enjoy.
Spicy dumplings at Xi’an in the Richmond Public Market (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
From steaming bowls of hand-pulled noodles, to expertly assembled fresh dumplings, to fresh local seafood prepared with care (and flair), to highly regional specialities and succulent barbecued meats, Richmond's Asian food scene is pretty stellar, and since we are fortunate enough to have it in our own backyard, it's ours to enjoy. PS: Save room for dessert.
Read more:
- Vancouver’s Chinese food called the best in North America
- 10th annual Chinese Restaurant Awards celebrate a decade of dining
- 21 best Chinese restaurants and dishes in Vancouver
- 14 yummy treats to chow down on at the Richmond Night Market
- NY Times food critic smitten with Vancouver’s Kissa Tanto
