JonboyE

Yes they do. It is not even an arguable point.

Alan2005

I won't argue that chinese food is better here than most places - but people will book vacations here just for the chinese food? I don't think so.

R I C H

You don't need to book a vacation in Vancouver to appreciate the oriental food that's available. When I'm in the city for business or pleasure, a visit to Richmond's something to look forward to for a meal out. It's part of the attraction of visiting.

Stop being so provocative and pedantic, it's tiresome to read and doesn't add anything to the thread.

JonboyE

Maybe you don't, but just because you don't think so doesn't mean it ain't so.

el_richo

I flew out to Vancouver last month specifically for the Chinese food. Unfortunately we had to endure a wedding before we could eat it...........

Alan2005

True - it is just my opinion. But unless you have actual evidence it is no less valid that yours.

Alan2005

JonboyE is right that Chinese food is going to be good here given the make up of the population - but I doubt anyone makes specific trips here to enjoy the food. The food they eat while they are here may make their trip more enjoyable and give them pleasure - but as a primary reason for coming? Unlikely (which was my original point that JonboyE contradicted)

This isn't really a criticism of Vancouver, it has this in common with 99% of cities in the world - people don't really go to London for the food either.

Oink

Chinese food is pretty good here but not anymore outstanding than other N. American cities with a large Chinese population. Its not like you are going to get exotic food such as goat lung with red peppers or panda brain soup.

There are some very good restaurants here but in general the standard is just very average. There just isn't the same quality and variety of larger cities such NY, London, Paris and Sydney.

JonboyE

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...esevan142.html

http://www.fortunecookiechronicles.c...he-worldsorta/

Note 2 of the 5 best in N America are in Vancouver.

Because a number of high level chefs came from Hong Kong, combined with the abundance of fresh seafood, Vancouver has acquired a reputation as the home of the best Chinese food in the world. Because of the variety of migrants to the City and because Hong Kong had originally been a diverse magnet for so many different kinds of Chinese, Vancouver has developed a diversity of Chinese food cuisines (Hong Kong style, Teochew, Shanghai), making it more like SE Asian cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore in terms of variety, which is unique in North America.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/n...8bd6ce&k=44011

I could go on, but it is getting tedious.

dboy

[QUOTE=Oink;7819037]Chinese food is pretty good here but not anymore outstanding than other N. American cities with a large Chinese population. Its not like you are going to get exotic food such as goat lung with red peppers or panda brain soup.

Actually there is a huge range of authentic dim sum here. Not my cup of tea, but it's there.

Anyone tried wild rice? Only chinese I ever went to where there were no Chinese staff? Pretty good - Crosstown area of vancouver on Pender.

http://www.wildricevancouver.com/

ExKiwilass

Um, okay. Earls, the Cactus Club, Milestones etc....those are the middle of the road restaurants for the bridge & tunnel traffic. Good food, not trying to knock anyone's socks off, all they'd scare away their customers from the 'burbs.

There are great places to eat, yes, you have to know where they are. Lots of new ones in gastown/dtes. The most amazing chinese I've ever eaten was in Vancouver, at the wedding of a wealthy chinese family....some of the food was made at the table. It was fabulous.

dboy

I read a similarly glowing review by a san fran food critic. For its size vancouver has a very impressive and affordable variety of dining options, and punches far above its weight class.

Alan2005

Yes you are right, the absolute number 1 reason people visit Vancouver is for the food. How could I have been so blind.

dboy

Only you alan could turn a 'where's a good place to eat' thread into a battle of wits

Lychee

Actually, a lot of people DO come to Vancouver as foodie tourists, often to try the Asian food. Most aren't flying over from Europe or the UK, but many tourists from California and New York make the flights over to see what the fuss is all about.

I wouldn't have known this if I hadn't been a casual lurker on the Chowhound Western Canada forum!

http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/57