Each year the Chinese Restaurant Awards invites Metro Vancouver's dining public to weigh in on where they love to eat. But there's never been quite a year like this one.
When the Diners' Choice portion of the 12th annual Chinese Restaurant Awards opened up for voting in early March, many of Metro Vancouver's Chinese restaurants were already suffering from a drop in business due to the COVID-19 pandemic that had just begun to reach B.C. Two weeks later, and most restaurants had ceased operations, with some shifting to take-out and delivery models only, while others opted to stay closed temporarily - or permanently.
However, the Chinese Restaurant Awards were ultimately able to open up again, and with an extended voting period, have now tabulated the returns and have issued the results. This year's Diners' Choice winners shout out some popular favourites in Richmond and Vancouver, including the high-end Mott 32 (Best Fine Dining, Best Northern Chinese) and the decidedly less opulent parking garage strip mall spot HK BBQ Master (Best BBQ Shop for the 10th year).
Additionally, the Diners' Choice Awards put a spotlight on favourites for things like brown sugar pearl milk tea, dim sum, vegetarian eats, and a number of regional cuisines and specialities. The Awards also has diners choose top picks for new restaurants, and this year's honour goes to Vancouver's posh Quan Ju De, which may be brand-new to us, but actually stems from a century-old establishment from the imperial capital of Beijing. Best services when to Richmond's HaiDiLao Hot Pot, which happens to be prepping their Vancouver location to open soon.
Best Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea - Xing Fu Tang. Photo courtesy Chinese Restaurant Awards
“Moving onto the twelfth year, Chinese Restaurants Awards (CRA) has developed an inseparable relationship with the restaurant industry. Every restaurant that has been persevering through this tough time is, indeed, a winner, of which CRA does proudly supports. Especially now, we encourage diners to continue to explore and support all restaurants. Their operations can bring satisfaction and hope, especially during the pandemic,” said Rae Kung, Managing Director of Chinese Restaurant Awards.
There's one more round of awards to come, too: Results of the prestigious Critics' Choice Signature Dish Awards will also be announced at around the middle of August.
While typically the winners are feted at a ceremony and cocktail party, the event is currently on hold until the province permits large gatherings.
Best Sichuan Spicy Grill Fish - Happy Tree House BBQ. Photo courtesy Chinese Restaurant Awards
In the meantime, check out the winners of the CRA's 2020 Diners’ Choice Awards, and hopefully revisit a favourite of yours or give somewhere new a try.
1. BEST STEAMED/BAKED BBQ PORK BUN
Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant
#101-4600 No.3 Road, Richmond (604) 279-0083
2. BEST SICHUAN SPICY GRILL FISH
Happy Tree House BBQ
3502 Kingsway, Vancouver (778) 383-9575
8171 Alexandra Road Richmond (604) 297-1386
3. BEST LAMB SKEWER
The Meat Up
7994 Granville St, Vancouver (604) 428-9656
3580 Number 3 Rd, Richmond (604) 370-4870
4. BEST BROWN SUGAR PEARL MILK
Xing Fu Tang
Various locations
5. BEST NEW RESTAURANT – open less than one year
Quan Ju De
2808 Cambie Street Vancouver (236) 477-7777
6. BEST SERVICES RESTAURANT
HaiDiLao Hot Pot
#200-5890 No 3 Rd, Richmond (604) 370-6665
7. BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT
Mott 32
1161 W Georgia St, Vancouver (604) 979-8886
8. BEST DIM SUM RESTAURANT
Kirin Restaurants
Various locations
9. BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
Po Kong Vegetarian Restaurant
1334 Kingsway Vancouver (604) 876-3088
10. BEST CANTONESE RESTAURANT
Fortune Terrace Chinese Cuisine
130-6200 River Road, Richmond (604) 285-8980
11. BEST NORTHERN CHINESE RESTAURANT
Mott 32
1161 W Georgia St, Vancouver (604) 979-8886
12. BEST SHANGHAINESE RESTAURANT
Dinesty Dumpling House
Various locations
13. BEST SICHUAN RESTAURANT
Miss Fu In Chengdu
#2130-8391 Alexandra Rd, Richmond (604) 370-5667
14. BEST TAIWANESE RESTAURANT/BBT CAFÉ
Memory Corner
1110-4651 Garden City Road, Richmond (604) 284-5434
15. BEST HUNAN RESTAURANT
Geng Shi Ji
1211-8338 Capstan Way, Richmond (604) 370-6899
16. BEST HOT POT RESTAURANT
Landmark Hotpot House
4023 Cambie St, Vancouver (604) 872-2868
17. BEST CONGEE AND/OR NOODLE RESTAURANT
Double Double Restaurant
4600 Number 3 Rd Unit 128, Richmond (604) 370-3345
18. BEST HONG KONG-STYLE CAFÉ
Happy Day Café
3312 Kingsway, Vancouver (604) 307-6868
1450 - 4771 McClelland Road, Richmond (604) 273-3308
19. BEST B.B.Q. SHOP
HK B.B.Q. Master
#145-4651 No. 3 Road, Richmond (604) 272-6568
20. BEST DESSERT RESTAURANT
iTofu
#125-4940 Number 3 Rd, Richmond (236) 888-6618
21. BEST FOOD COURT STALL
Bubble Waffle Café
Locations at various food courts
22. BEST BAKERY SHOP
Saint Germain Bakery
Various locations
23. BEST FANTUAN’S TAKEOUT RESTAURANT
HaiDiLao Hot Pot
#200-5890 No 3 Rd, Richmond (604) 370-6665
24. MOST POPULAR RESTAURANT ON FANTUAN REVIEWS
Hushifu Chicken Hot Pot
130-8171 Ackroyd Road Richmond (604) 370-0616
