Chinese Restaurant Awards 2024

Throughout the year, a small select group of judges seek out the best Signature Dishes, dining across the Lower Mainland. Dishes are judged on, of course, flavour, but also how well the cooking techniques are executed, and the freshness of ingredients – with winners being determined through secret ballots. Individual Awards for Master Chef, Dim Sum Chef, Rising Star, Service Crew and Best New Restaurants are decided through discussion and careful deliberation. 

The Elite 15 Restaurants are based upon a wider group of expert judges, who provide input as to which Vancouver Chinese restaurants provide an exceptional dining experience. The winners can be found on the Chinese Restaurant Awards Website

Classic Hong Kong restaurants used to dominate awards, but as chefs start aging out, you see a shift away from Cantonese cuisine towards Zhejiang (Shanghainese) and Northern Chinese dishes and restaurants. Throughout the hospitality business, it is difficult to attract young staff to replace and take on the roles of Executive Chefs, and we may be seeing the end of a Golden Age of Hong Kong style cuisine. But there is still a lot of vigour and depth in these Hong Kong style restaurants. This year’s Master Chef winners are both seasoned Hong Kong style Cantonese chefs, and the Dim Sum Chef of the Year is also focused on Hong Kong style of dishes (see the list of winners below). 

Chinese food in Vancouver is constantly evolving, to reflect influences and talent from throughout Greater China. Classic Cantonese style cuisine has firmly established the use of local British Columbia seafood, poultry, and vegetables in Chinese dishes. As other styles of Chinese foods in Vancouver adopt this approach, a distinct BC characteristic, a new style of Chinese cuisine is being created.

The Chinese Restaurant Awards are built around the core of Signature Dishes. Chinese diners are driven by finding the 'best' version of a dish and finding a restaurant that works best for them. Diners find the restaurants where they become 'regulars' and their favourite dishes are always ready for them. Diners and restaurateurs want to develop a long-term relationship. Every restaurant eventual finds their clientele.

Most of the best new Signature Dishes are in Richmond (ten out of fifteen), but the reflect a wider range of Chinese styles (which tend to take hold in Richmond first). It reflects how restaurateurs and chefs are deepening their commitment to Vancouver and Richmond.

Seven out of fifteen of the Elite Restaurants are in Vancouver (vs eight in Richmond). Many would say that the most elevated Chinese dining experiences right now are in Vancouver with Mott 32, iDen QuanJuDu, and Dynasty Seafood leading the way.

For those seeking a hidden wine gem, there’s Bamboo Grove in Richmond. Restaurateur David Ju is an absolute wine fanatic. Rare vintages are a particular passion of his. It’s a bit of a secret experience, so make sure you reserve ahead of time, and speak directly with David when ordering.

Most importantly of all, use this list of this year’s winners and get out there and enjoy the best Chinese food that Vancouver has to offer!

Award Winners

Top 15 Judged Dishes

· Pepper Fried Eel with Emerald Vegetable Rice, JiangNan Wok (Richmond)

· Applewood Roasted Peking Duck with Duck Fried Rice, Mott 32 (Vancouver)

· Dry Beef Honeycomb Tripe, Bliss Kitchen (Richmond)

· Fresh Pineapple Crunchy Sweet and Sour Pork, Kin's Food and Bistro (Vancouver)

· Fried Pork Ribs on Rice, Cloud 9 Delicacy (Richmond)

· Hakka Stir Fry, A Bento (Vancouver)

· Lo Mein with Stewed Pork Hock, Max Noodles House (Richmond)

· Mochi w/ Fresh Mango and Cream, Car's Desserts (Richmond)

· Pan Fried Pork Buns, Colour See See (Burnaby)

· Puff Pastry BBQ Pork Bun, Lanxuan Restaurant (Richmond)

· Salty Duck in Nanking Style, Yuan's Garden Restaurant (Richmond)

· Scallion Sauce Chicken on Rice, Cha Kee (Richmond)

· Soy Pudding Shanghai Style, Excellent Tofu and Snacks (Richmond)

· Typhoon Shelter BC Geoduck, The Fish Man (Richmond)

· Winter Melon Soup, Sea Harbour Restaurant (Richmond)

Individual Awards

· Best New Restaurant - JiangNan Wok (Richmond)

· Rising Star Chef - Steven Che, Just Pizza

· Dim Sum Chef of the Year - Lai Wei, Lanxuan Restaurant (Richmond)

· Master Chef of the Year - May Chau Sui May, Golden Paramount Seafood (Richmond)

· Master Chef of the Year - David Li Hon Keung, Landmark Hotpot House (Vancouver)

· Service Crew Member - Lisa Zhang, The Fishman (Richmond)

15 Elite Restaurants (alphabetical)

· Bamboo Grove Restaurant (Richmond)

· Chang'An Restaurant (Vancouver)

· Chef's Choice Seafood Restaurant (Vancouver)

· Chinatown BBQ (Vancouver)

· Dynasty Seafood Restaurant (Vancouver)

· Fish Man Restaurant (Richmond)

· Golden Paramount Chinese Seafood (Richmond)

· iDen QuanJuDe Beijing Duck (Vancouver)

· Jade Seafood Restaurant (Richmond)

· Landmark Hotpot House (Vancouver)

· Max Noodle House (Richmond)

· Memory Corner (Richmond)

· Mott 32 (Vancouver)

· Osmanthus Chinese Fusion Restaurant (Richmond)

· Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant (Richmond)