It seems like if I want great Chinese food then Richmond is the place to be, and once again I’ve discovered a hidden gem within walking distance of a Canada Line Station. Now when I say it’s a hidden gem I mean it’s been hidden from me. Serious Shanghainese foodies have known about Suhang Restaurant for quite a while now but today will be my first visit. Joining me for lunch is Julia Dilworth, one of my friends from Tourism Richmond and also one of my sources for finding the best places to eat in Richmond. So far so good I’ve not been disappointed and based on what I’ve read about Suhang Restaurant today’s lunch won’t be any different. It’s time to get our Shanghainese on.
Suhang Restaurant in Richmond
Suhang Restaurant is at 8291 Ackroyd Road, Richmond and is only just a short distance from two other great Chinese Restaurants I’ve been to, Dinesty Dumpling House and Top Shanghai. I almost feel like I’m in a Shanghainese Triangle of great XLB locations. Don’t drive to Suhang, take the Canada Line to Landsdowne Station and then it’s just a short 5 minute walk to the restaurant.
Map location of Suhang Restaurant in Richmond
Of the recent Chinese restaurants I’ve been visiting, Suhang is actually decorated very nicely. The walls are a more neutral colour than the usual bright white and there is a stone wall feature that adds a nice touch of design and warmth to the space. I can tell Suhang is designed to appeal to a broader more North American dining experience. It’s a winner for me.
A look inside Suhang Restaurant in Richmond
Always pour tea for your guest when dining at a Chinese restaurant
Today’s lunch is consisting of six dishes. Oh lord I hope I wore my stretchy pants. One of Julia’s colleagues helped us out by going through the menu beforehand and choosing 6 dishes that Suhang does really well. Since I am willing to try anything once I am absolutely game for this mystery lunch. The first dish to arrive is a cold one called Marinated Bean Curd with special vegetables (Ma Lan). It doesn’t scream appetizing but it is actually quite good and is really full of nice flavour. I scooped a big portion onto my plate and ate it up with gusto.
Marinated Bean Curd with special vegetables (Ma Lan) at Suhang Restaurant
Next up is what everyone craves, Xia Long Bao or XLB or Soup Dumplings. The outer wrapper is a little thicker than what I’ve been enjoying lately but I have to say these are damn good! Probably the most flavourful soup in a dumpling I’ve enjoyed so far. I’ll be back again for more.
XLB from Su hang in Richmond
Something I don’t seem to get enough of when I eat Chinese is vegetables so I’m thrilled when the third dish arrives that it is Garlic Fried Pea Sprouts. OMG these are fantastic! They taste like Spring is all I can say. Bright and fresh and with a nice crunch and snap to them.
Garlic Fried Pea Sprouts from Suhang Restaurant
Pan Fried Pork and Shrimp Dumplings with Chives are the fourth dish to arrive accompanied by Suhang’s famous Seafood Fried Hand Made Noodles. I was expecting to love the dumplings but to be honest was very Meh about them. They weren’t bad in any way I just felt they didn’t shine like the previous dishes. Now the noodles were fantastic. Plenty of Shrimp and Scallops, lightly tossed in sauce and the noodles were cooked perfectly in my opinion.
Pan Fried Pork and Shrimp Dumplings with Chives from Suhang Restaurant
Suhang’s famous Seafood Fried Hand Made Noodles
There is only one dish left and that is the Pan Fried Pork Buns. Now when we ordered these I was expecting a BBQ Pork filling but instead these were also soup dumplings but with a bun instead of the lighter wrapper version we enjoyed earlier. Very hot these took a while to cool down so we could enjoy them.
Pan Fried Pork Buns with soup dumpling filling at Suhang Restaurant
Inside the Pan Fried Pork Buns
Yes I am ready to explode but in a good way. With the exception of the Chive dumplings everything we ate at Suhang Restaurant was amazing. I can see why this place gets such rave reviews and why it’s so popular amongst lovers of Shanghainese cuisine. As we are picking up the bill (thanks Julia btw) they bring by a little dessert for us. Apparently they always serve a little complimentary dessert to their diners. Who are we to say no. I don’t know what it is called by I’ve decided to call it the Chinese version of Baklava. Delicate layers of pastry sweetened and a top coat of Sesame seeds = can I have a dozen to go please?
Sweet sugary pastry & sesame seed dessert fom Suhang Restaurant
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