Where to eat some of the best Chinese food in Montréal
Early Chinese immigrants and settlers not only brought their hopes and dreams of a new life in a Canada, but they brought a rich culture and ethnic diversity to the city.It goes without saying that one of the most important aspects of culture is cuisine!
What do we mean by Chinese cuisine?
There is considered to be eight regional cuisines in China: Lu (Shandong), Chuan (Szechuan), Hui (Anhui), Yue (Guangdong), Min (Fujian), Xiang (Hunan), Su (Jiangsu), and Zhe (Zhejiang). These distinct cooking styles differ from each other based on region availabilities, climate, geography and history (China is huge!)
However, the more well known and most influential cuisines among them are Lu, Chuan Cuisine, Yue, and Su Cuisine. These four cuisines are called the Four Major Cuisines or Four Cooking Styles in China.
Over the years through new generations of Chinese immigrants, the Montréal Chinese food scene has diversified immensely. Here are some of the city’s best representations a few of these four major Chinese cuisines!
Yue Cuisine (Guangdong Cuisine)
Yue Cuisine, also known as Cantonese cuisine, is the most popular and easiest to find in Montréal. Yue cuisine originates from Guangdong Province in South China. It focuses on stir-frying, frying, stewing and braising.
One of the city’s favourite spots for Cantonese food, La Maison Kim Fung in Chinatown is one of the best. Endless options of fried noodles, sizzling hot pots of deliciously braised stews to flash fried seasonal vegetables to order. Dim sum served everyday.
La Maison Kim Fung
111 Saint-Urbain Street. Unit M05
You’ll find locals and visitors alike at Beijing Restaurant (also located in Chinatown) as it’s known for fast casual Cantonese food, daily specials and mysterious off-menu “secret menu” dishes to discover. Opened late nightly.
Beijing Restaurant
92 De la Gauchetière Street West
Prêt à Manger is situated in the heart of downtown. “PM” as it is known by locals, is popular amongst the neighboring university kids for lunch specials and affordable meals.
Prêt à Manger
1809 Saint-Catherine Street West
Kam Shing has garnered a cult-like following for their traditional Cantonese food and not-so-traditional westernized Cantonese food. Sweet and sour ribs, chicken fried rice and stir-fried beef in XO sauce are all winners.
Kam Shing Restaurant
Multiple locations
Chuan Cuisine (Sichuan Cuisine)
Also called Szechuan Cuisine, Chuan cuisine is famous for being tongue-numbing spicy! The use of copious amounts of garlic, chili peppers, as well as the unique flavor of the Szechuan peppercorn is synonymous with Chuan food.
This hot spot (literally) is a hit amongst the downtown student crowd who are in the know. Restaurant Mr. Chuan serves up authentic Szechuan cuisine. Simmering hot pots of poached fish to noodles and pork trotter and offal to be enjoyed.
Restaurant Mr. Chuan
1222 Bishop Street
China is known for street food and you can experience some of that here at La Belle Épicée. Try squid skewers dusted with numbing peppercorn, herbal tea marinated quail eggs, fried tofu and more.
La Belle Épicée
90 De La Gauchetière Street West
The Wellington Promenade is home to one of the most underrated Szechuan restaurants in the city. Hong Mere is a family run restaurant specializing in home-cooked dishes. The sliced whole pork elbow served cold and Dong-bei style glass-noodle or cumin beef are all sure bets. Best scallion pancakes in the city served here.
Plats de Pâtes Hong Mère
3795 Wellington Street
Downtown hotspot (literally) Liuyishou Hot Pot has finally added a Montréal location to their roster of over 1300 outposts around the world! Known for their variety of different authentic hot pot broths, this place is wildly popular for the ritual of blanching various cuts of meat, vegetables and vegetables in an aromatic broth. It’s all you can eat too!
Liuyishou Fondue
1224 Crescent Street
Su Cuisine (Jiangsu Cuisine)
Su Cuisine comes from the Jiangsu region in China. Known as "a land of fish and rice" in China, Jiangsu province highlights fresh seasonal produce and seafood it its cuisine. Su cuisine actually encompasses other styles of cooking - Huaiyang, Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi.
You can’t miss the hoards of people huddled around the shop window watching Lan Zhou’s noodle pulling (making) fresh noodles to order. From steamy bowls of their famous beef shank noodles, to a tantalizing bowl of dandan, have your noodles made in different thicknesses just the way you like them.
Nouilles de Lan Zhou
1006 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Delice Oriental specializes in Su cuisine from the Hubei province. Dried hot pepper, black pepper and other spices are customarily used to enhance the flavour of dishes. You must try their signature “whole fish in charcoal hot pot” – Deep fried whole fish atop a simmering spicy soup peppered with chilies and sliced vegetables. Be prepared to sweat!
Delice Oriental
1858 Saint-Catherine Street West
Lu Cuisine (Shandong Cuisine)
Shandong cooking aims to preserve the cut, color, and taste of the food, rather than cover it in thick sauces and spices like other styles. It is the most influential and popular in China and is considered the Mother of Northern Chinese food.
Neighbouring Shandong is the Henan province that shares similar characteristics in cuisine. Opened since 2009 Lotus Bleu has been serving authentic soul-warming dishes. From master-stock poached whole chicken, beef shank, and dumplings.
Lotus Bleu
988 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Travel through China and cuisine styles without leaving the city. Discover what Chinese food has to offer beyond the #3 special of General Tao and chicken fried rice, you never know what you may find!
Jason Lee
Jason is a seasoned food writer and blogger with over 18 years of culinary adventures in Montréal. He’s a master at uncovering the city's hidden gems and transforming meals into captivating stories. Join him as he continues to explore and share Montréal’s vibrant food scene.