If you’re new to the term, dim sum refers to a type of Chinese cuisine made popular in Hong Kong – think of it as the Cantonese equivalent of brunch.
Dim sum (or yum cha, as Cantonese speakers refer to it), consists of bite-sized foods served in steamer baskets or on small plates, usually enjoyed with different types of Chinese teas. It is thought that because dim sum can be quite a heavy meal, the tea will aid in digestion.
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There are plenty of restaurants in Vancouver that offer dim sum, and we’ve selected the best ones for you to head to this winter to fill up your stomachs to the brim with some delicious, warm dumplings and buns.
Time to brush up on your chopstick skills!
Jade Garden Kitchen
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Serving authentic Chinese dishes, the food at Jade Garden Kitchen is all prepared using fresh ingredients. Not only specializing in dim sum, the eatery also serves favourites such as fried rice and noodle dishes. As far as dim sum options go in North Vancouver, this is our top pick.
Address: 1195 Marine Drive, North Vancouver
Phone: 604-980-9138
Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
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This multiple Golden Plates winner is well known for its consistency and presentation, as well as its unique take on traditional dim sum dishes including black-truffle dumplings and crispy seafood rolls. If you’re looking for some consistently good quality dim sum, this is the spot to go to.
Address: 108-777 West Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-876-8388
Western Lake Chinese Seafood Restaurant
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Open for nearly a decade, you can trust Western Lake Chinese Seafood Restaurant for an excellent dim sun experience. Consistently ranked as the best Chinese dim sum in Vancouver on various websites including Zomato and Yelp, not only is the food amazing, but the dining environment too.
Address: 4989 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 604-321-6862
Fortune Terrace Chinese Restaurant
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Although nothing beats seeing an entire table filled with a banquet of steamer baskets of dim sum, this particular restaurant in Richmond has stepped up their dim sum game with not only delicious — but adorable plates. With buns shaped like pigs, turtles, and even pugs, this will certainly be an experience.
Address: 6200 River Road #130, Richmond
Phone: 604-285-8980
Po Kong
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Vegetarians, we’ve got you. You’ll never have to feel left out again when going for Sunday dim sum, because Po Kong features an entirely vegetarian menu of Chinese plates and dim sum. This local restaurant is in a low-key setting, giving off an unpretentious vibe that will have you coming back every weekend for their delicious eats.
Address: 1334 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-876-3088
Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant
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Located in the heart of Richmond, Chef Tony is Tony He’s second restaurant venture in Richmond. The slight more upscale restaurant offers a range of creative dishes as well as classic dim sum options such as egg tarts and shumai (a type of dumpling typically made with pork).
Address: 4600 No 3 Road #101, Richmond
Phone: 604-279-0083
Sun Sui Wah
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This popular restaurant has two locations, and both are known to be extremely busy on weekends. Diners will find not only the classic dim sum items, but others such as rice rolls with crispy beancurd and fish paste, and deep-fried squid. They also have daily specials that rotate, so be sure to check what is on the menu that day.
Address: 3888 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-872-8822
Address: 4940 No 3 Road #102, Richmond
Phone: 604-273-8208
Red Star Seafood Restaurant
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Another dim sum location that draws the crowds on weekends, Red Star Seafood Restaurant is a popular neighbourhood restaurant that offers delicious traditional dim sum dishes. They also have two locations, so you have your choice if one is too busy for you to wait.
Address: 8298 Granville Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-261-8389
Address: #2200-8181 Cambie Road, Richmond
Phone: 604-270-3003
Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant
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Nowadays, it is rarer to see dim sum restaurants that push around small carts carrying the dishes, but Golden Ocean still engages in this and it can be a fun experience to see what dishes are being brought around the restaurant. Be sure to drop by earlier in the day to get a table without having to wait too long.
Address: 2046 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-263-8886