Sun Sui Wah – a top destination for dim sum in the new Chinatown in Richmond, Vancouver. From about 11am on during the weekend, expect long line of small and large Chinese families of all ages forming a long line in front, a sure indication I think of the quality of the food. But don’t worry, the wait time is not unreasonable, as the cavernous space allows at least the Richmond branch to move customers in and out pretty quickly. On the few occasions that I went there for dim sum, the wait was never more than 15 minutes. Service is good and the food even better.
Everything served at Sun Sui Wah is just perfectly spiced. Normally, my friends and I would have to prepare our own sauce consisting of soy, red vinegar, and hot pepper before the dim sum experience would be pleasant. But the folks at Sun Sui Wah refuses to set out soy sauce, although they would grudgingly bring out vinegar. But the first taste of the restaurant’s ha gao, the quintessential shrimp dumpling and the standard bearer of dim sum restaurants, and you immediately understand why. The sweetness of absolutely fresh shrimp, the gentle crunchiness of bamboo shoots, combined with delicate spices added just the perfect touch. And every single dish we ordered was just one culinary experience after another. The experience is topped with another fail-safe crowd pleaser. No matter how many dishes my friends and I order, the bill never came up to more than $12 per person, including tips. Most times, we manage to do it for $10.