5 of the best dumplings in Richmond, British Columbia

Empire Seafood (located on Number 3 Road right by the Richmond-Brighouse stop on the Canada Line) is the place to go for an authentic Cantonese banquet of epic proportions, but if you’re after something less grandiose in the daytime a few baskets of their mouthwatering dim sum is a real treat. There are dozens to choose from, but the one that’s generally regarded as the best is their take on wu gok, a taro dumpling filled with shredded duck. The meat is encased in mashed taro to create the dumpling, which is then deep-fried – creating an incredibly crunchy, beautiful casing for the fluffy taro and rich duck. It’s one of the best examples of dim sum out there, and if you haven’t had it before, Empire Seafood is the perfect place to try it.

London Plaza, Number 3 Road, Richmond. empirerestaurant.ca/esr

If you’re a fan of spice, then a visit to one of Richmond’s many Sichuan restaurants is a must. Golden Sichuan is one of the most well-respected, and its Sichuan wontons in chilli oil are full of fiery, numbing flavour. Find it at the Richview Plaza, just a short walk away from the Aberdeen stop on the Canada Line right next to the Morey Channel.

Richview Plaza, Number 3 Road, Richmond.

Suhang, a little restaurant near the Lansdowne Centre (a shopping centre full of lots more great places to eat), specialises in the food of Shanghai and has become known for its Shanghai-style dumplings. If you’ve only got time to try one, order the xiao long bao – round handmade dumplings sealed with a little twist. What makes these special is that they contain a rich, porky soup, which floods into your mouth after the first bite. The chefs make it by concentrating the soup so it becomes solid when chilled, then wrapping the dough around them. After they’ve been steamed for a few minutes the soup inside turns into liquid again, ready to be eaten.

100-8291 Ackroyd Road, Richmond. suhang.ca

It’s not just Chinese dumplings that Richmond does well – if you’re a fan of Japanese gyoza, then the unassuming Shibuyatei Japanese Restaurant near the Richmond Night Market is well worth a visit. Don’t be put off by how the place looks (or the fact that it’s attached to a car wash!); this is where you’ll find some of the best Japanese food in Richmond, cooked by a single chef. The gyozas come filled with pork, prawn or scallop, and you can order them boiled, pan-fried or even deep-fried for extra crunch. And if you’re still hungry, be sure to grab a bowl of ramen.

2971 Sexsmith Road, Richmond.