Happy Valley Village: Vancouver-based concept opens Toronto location

One Vancouver-based restaurant is ready to expand its reach with a third location in North America – this time, in Toronto.

Happy Valley Village, known for its authentic Northeastern Chinese-style Iron Pot Stew, operates its BC location in Richmond at # 210 8080 Leslie Road.

Now, the restaurant has opened a brand-new location in Toronto, bringing the same cultural heritage and renowned dishes to its #113-115 3700 Midland Avenue, Scarborough, address.

You might also like:
• Japanese importer of fine foods to open Metro Vancouver brick-and-mortar storefront
• A Brit's brutally honest review of classic Canadian foods
• A much-loved Toronto destination for Thai food is officially relocating to Vancouver

Freshly opened on July 9, the Happy Valley Village restaurant aims to recreate owner Alex Han’s upbringing in Northeast China with a design that “resembles the traditional settings found in the Northeast, such as Sophia Church and Central Street, the landmarks from the city of Harbin.”

Happy Valley Village/Submitted

Happy Valley Village/Submitted

Happy Valley Village also has a unique feature in its private dining rooms: Kang bed-stoves.

These stoves, a traditional, two-meter-long heated platform primarily used for keeping food warm, have been an important part of Northern Chinese culture for centuries.

In addition to being used for food preparation, Kang bed-stoves are often used to retain heat during the cold winter months and are compared to the European cocklestove, a “massive block of masonry is used to retain heat.”

Happy Valley Village/Submitted

Happy Valley Village/Submitted

As for the food on offer here, Happy Valley Village specializes in Iron Pot Stews, a communal dining style that “involves the slow-cooking of chicken, duck, fish, and other ingredients in an iron pot until they reach a tender and delicious state.”

Guests can also try the restaurant’s freshly made pancakes, which are prepared right at the table by a skilled pastry chef and are made using the sides of the hot iron pots.

Happy Valley Village’s Scarborough location is currently in its soft opening phase but is open from 4 to 9 pm. The restaurant also operates a location in Los Angeles.

Happy Valley Village – Scarborough

Address: #113-115 3700 Midland Avenue, Scarborough

Instagram