Savor diverse Asian cuisine in Richmond, BC

Want to sample some of the best dim sum in North America—plus fresh bao or juicy gyoza? Look no further than Richmond, where a distinct blend of cultures has created an award-winning wealth of authentic Asian cuisine. Nestled between the Fraser River and the Pacific Ocean, it’s just 30 minutes from the U.S. border, three hours from Seattle, and home to Vancouver International Airport—so getting here couldn’t be easier.

Richmond’s culinary riches stem from its unique history: home to Indigenous fishing communities for millennia, the area was transformed by European settlement into a canning and shipbuilding hub that attracted waves of Japanese and Chinese settlers. Today, 74% of its population is Asian, including 48% of Chinese descent—the highest proportion of any Canadian city—cultivating a vibrant, globally inspired food culture.

This kaleidoscope of culture means Richmond can’t be defined by just one cuisine. It is a wonderful collection of diverse cultures, culinary experiences and compelling characters, with hundreds of chefs, bakers and makers bringing new tastes and authentic flavours to this diverse community at more than 800 restaurants every day. No wonder Richmond is earning accolades as a celebrated Asian culinary destination. The New York Times praised the city as having the best Asian food in North America, and Eater.com named Richmond one of the most dynamic food cities in the world. 

From flying cup noodles at the renowned night market to seared Hokkaido scallops at the best restaurant in Canada, Richmond offers tastes for every budget and flavor profile.

Tantalize your tastebuds at the night market 

If you’re visiting between April and October, don’t miss the Richmond Night Market—a bustling extravaganza of fusion bites, live music and local artisans celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. Founded by Raymond Chung, it’s open Friday through Sunday (plus holiday Mondays) and has grown into the largest Asian night market in North America, drawing more than one million visitors a year. With 600+ treats to sample, from tornado potato and sushi hot dogs to smoky grilled meats and kimchi bacon rolls, arrive hungry and bring cash—some vendors only take payment the old-fashioned way.

Fill your heart on the legendary Dumpling Trail

Craving har gow, siu mai, or gyoza? Follow Richmond’s Dumpling Trail, listed by CNN Travel among the world’s top food trails. Its 17 stops span Cantonese, Shanghainese, Taiwanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, and more. Tempt your taste buds with crispy ham sui gok at The Jade Seafood Restaurant, pork belly bánh bôt loc at Bánh Mì Très Bon, or xiao long bao at R&H Chinese Food. Want a dumpling with a twist? Award-winning 4 Stones Vegetarian Restaurant serves up inventive plant-based options, while Afghan Chopan Bakery & Diner takes you off the beaten path with mantu and ashak and Little Karp Seafood Restaurant and Bar offers fusion smoked duck breast tortellini. However you choose to indulge, there’s a dumpling for every palate in Richmond.

Find hidden gems in bustling food courts

Just steps from many Canada Line stations, Richmond’s strip malls boast some of the city’s most authentic Asian eats in their busy food courts. Parker Place brims with Taiwanese, Shanghainese and Vietnamese vendors, while the Richmond Public Market houses Potelicious (Taiwanese hot pot), Chef Liu Kitchen (crispy chicken nuggets and fried pig intestines), and Peanuts—the first bubble tea shop in Richmond, opened more than 30 years ago. Treat yourself to a waffle-batter wheel cake filled with chocolate or red bean before heading to the Yaohan Centre, where three “combo stands” serve rice and vegetable plates topped with pepper beef, deep-fried tofu or panko-crusted fish. Carry some cash and expect busy lunch crowds!

Stroll Alexandra Road for authentic flavors 

If food courts aren’t your style, head to Alexandra Road—known as Food Street or Wai Sek Kai—a three-block stretch between No. 3 Road and Garden City Road, hosting more than 70 restaurants. Accessible by the Canada Line or a quick drive, it’s a go-to for late-night takeout or a relaxed sit-down feast. Try The Fish Man, where Chef Bo Li offers a signature Grill Fish Pot of catfish, grouper or white sea bass with flavors ranging from fermented soybean to numb-spicy. At Max Noodle House, named Vancouver’s Best Congee/Noodle by the Chinese Restaurant Awards, don’t miss the deep-fried dace fish ball with clam sauce. A block away, HK BBQ Master (featured on Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner with Seth Rogen and David Chang) draws lines for its Hong Kong-style crispy roasted pork and soy chicken—fans say you can smell it from down the street. 

Savor coastal classics in historical Steveston

Designated a heritage zone in 1960, picture-perfect Steveston remains a working fishing village shaped by Indigenous, European, Japanese and Chinese communities. In this seafood lover’s paradise, fresh local catches arrive daily—think Dungeness crab and spot prawns at Steveston’s Spot Prawns and Seafood or salmon and squid at Fisherman’s Wharf. Treat yourself to crispy fish and bottomless chips at Pajo’s floating shack or sample Japanese flavors at ICHIRO, where local sea urchin meets Wagyu beef and fish fresh from Japan.

Elevate your palate with Asian fine dining 

After exploring Richmond’s multicultural flavors all day, treat yourself to an elegant evening. For a curated insider experience, join a private tour designed by acclaimed restaurant critic Alexandra Gill. Her Richmond Chinese Dinner Party: Classic Cantonese to New Wave tour brings you to two top eateries, uncovering everything from traditional dim sum to modern fusion.

To indulge even further, reserve a table at Baan Lao, named Canada’s Best Restaurant at the 2024 World Culinary Awards and led by proprietor and chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng, recent recipient of a King Charles III Coronation Medal. Her “From Thailand With Love” 18-course dinner showcases rare, vibrant ingredients in exquisitely plated dishes, while the “Afternoon Tea Thai Experience” pairs handcrafted delicacies with sommelier-selected brews.

Stratford Savour and Sip Trail: Bacon, ale and chocolate

Famous for world-class theatre, Stratford (about three hours west of Toronto) boasts the Savour and Sip Trail, open from May to October. Purchase a voucher for six tastes and redeem them at local artisan vendors. You might try the Bacon and Ale Trail, featuring Bacon Burgers at the Best Little Pork Shoppe and a Road Trip Golden Ale at Black Swan Brewing. Craving sweets? Explore the Chocolate Trail for rich chocolate squares from Black Angus Bakery & Catering, Bavarian chocolate coffee from Buzz Stop, or chocolate balsamic oil at Olive Your Favourites. It’s an indulgent, choose-your-own adventure.

Celebrate all year round at food festivals galore

Richmond’s calendar brims with culinary events. From May to June, the Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration lures visitors with chef demos and fresh local catches, culminating in Spot Prawn Day on June 7—complete with live music, a culinary stage, street circus performances and kids’ play area. In August, follow the tempting aromas to the Richmond Garlic Fest, where local farmers and food trucks show off pungent specialties. By September, the  arrives at Athiana Acres farm in Steveston, spotlighting sustainable agriculture and farm-to-table dining. Finally, the festive season beckons in December with Steveston Sips, when restaurants roll out curated winter drinks for Winter In The Village.

Ready to experience Richmond’s culinary tapestry?

Whether you’re craving sizzling skewers at the Night Market, hunting for succulent dumplings, or indulging in an 18-course fine dining feast, Richmond’s unique fusion of cultures is evident in every dish. With countless ways to eat your way around the world within a few blocks, all that’s left is to arrive hungry—and let your tastebuds guide the way.