Video: Rookie Richmond eatery wins restaurant award - three months after opening

A Richmond eatery has been named as one of the region’s “Game Changers” at the 2021 Chinese Restaurant Awards.

Uncle’s Snack Shop on Westminster Highway, just east of No. 3 Road, was one of four businesses to receive the new award, along with three others from Vancouver - Chef’s Choice Chinese Cuisine, iDen & Quan Ju De and Old Bird.

All four are relative newcomers to the industry, with Uncle’s actually only opening its doors in March 2021, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The four were chosen to “honour their culinary excellence and great perseverance and their courage to ride the wave of uncertainty during this pandemic.”

The winners “represent the fiercest contenders in Vancouver’s highly competitive culinary scene,” according to Critics' Choice Awards judging chair Lee Man.

“The food at Uncle’s Snack Shop is just the shot of exuberant joyfulness we need as the lockdowns hopefully start easing for good,” added Man.

“The sense of youthful playfulness and energy is underscored with sharp cooking, well thought out flavours, and a deep knowledge of traditional Asian techniques.

“This food is way beyond Instagram click bait with a kitchen focused on all the right details.”