Chinese north/east of Vancouver?

[kiliki]

If you wanted to eat good Chinese driving between Whistler and Seattle, without detouring too much from the fastest route (TransCanada Hwy/Hwy 15 east of the city/truck crossing at Blaine), where would you stop?

We drive from Seattle to Whistler once or twice a year and I like to take the opportunity to eat great Chinese in the Vancouver/Richmond area along the way. But, this means a LONG detour off the route I mentioned above. Last time we stopped at Chen's Shanghai in Richmond on the way home, and we spent 2 hours crawling through Vancouver (from the exit off the TransCanada north of Vancouver, through the city, to Richmond) to get there. It was painful.

So: Do I have any decent options that would only be a short detour off of my route? Next time we'll be driving up after work and staying in North Vancouver--anything there, or a short drive from 1? Or maybe I'm not seeing the best way to get from Richmond to north of Vancouver--is there another way besides going right through downtown, getting stuck at light after light?

Thanks for any ideas.

[KarenDW]

So: Do I have any decent options that would only be a short detour off of my route? Next time we'll be driving up after work and staying in North Vancouver--anything there, or a short drive from 1?  Or maybe I'm not seeing the best way to get from Richmond to north of Vancouver

If you take I5 from Seattle, then continue on Hwy 99 north of the border, Richmond is only about 20 minutes north. Then, after your dinner stop, return to Hwy 99 across the Oak St. bridge and through Vancouver. Depending upon what time "after work" is, you will likely miss the bulk of commuter traffic by the time you have finished dinner.

PM if you'd like further travel details.

As for food, I know not.

[kiliki]

That is what we've done that has taken 2 hours. Do you think that was an anomoly, then? It shouldn't take that long? The route goes right through downtown and we get stopped at every light.

Edited September 2, 2008 by kiliki (log)

[mtigges]

Just adding, there is no Chinese food in North Vancouver. Lot's of crap lemon chicken and sweet and sour pork. But, no Chinese food. At least not that I've found.

[canucklehead]

Not too far off your route are:

Alving's Garden (Nelson and Imperial, Burnaby) - searing crazy hot hunan food. Try the beef with pickled peppers and the lamb with cumin.

Kirin Seafood Restaurant at the Starlight Casino. Their newest endevour - very nice room and great dim sum.

There are a lot of good Korean places in Burnaby also.

Edited September 2, 2008 by canucklehead (log)

[canucklehead]

Just adding, there is no Chinese food in North Vancouver.  Lot's of crap lemon chicken and sweet and sour pork.  But, no Chinese food.  At least not that I've found.

←

Agreed - Chinese food is very difficult to find on the North Shore. Westview Chinese has a large menu, but generally the food is average. VIP on Marine Drive has Swatow style cooking - but the room itself is a bit of a mess, so take out works out best. Also - you need to know what to order, as most of the menu is given over to lemon chicken and spring rolls.

[kiliki]

Thank you so much, Canknucklehead!!

[brokentelephone]

If you are traveling towards Whistler, take a detour into downtown Vancouver and try Imperial, or Victoria (or even Shanghai Bistro is alright in a pinch). All are quite good -- not the best the city has to offer -- but good nevertheless.