Van. Tea Cafe — Restaurant in Richmond

[Update: July 29, 2025]

Still our favorite place for breakfast, although we don't come here as often because we only come here on our way to Costco. Plus, $16 per person is not our definition of cheap for breakfast.

We tried lunch a few times, but just like most other Hong Kong-style cafes, they are rather expensive. Expect $20 per person. Taste-wise, they are okay.

We also tried their dinner set a couple of times, but they are not quite up to par with the typical Cantonese food flavor imparted by cooking with a wok, or better known as 鑊氣 in Cantonese. My family is not the picky type, yet we feel this is the case with their food.

By the way, every time you pay, they request you use cash or debit cards. But a few times we forgetfully and accidentally paid by credit cards, the card terminal still accepts it 😂🤭 Charging this much for food, they still try to swindle us of a 3% credit card service charge. Cheapskates! 🤣😅

[Original review:  Oct 2023]

We had breakfast on a Monday morning:

10am and there were people waiting in line. Good thing there were still a few empty 2-seaters available. Just party of 3 or more need waiting.

Surprisingly good service for HK-style restaurants. Waitresses asked if we need this or that even before we opened our mouths. Not just one waitress but two of them being extremely helpful and exceptionally polite. Very surprised.

Portion size is small in North American standard but considerably more than restaurants in Hong Kong. Taste is Hong Kong authentic.

Price is fair. $14.95 for a small Beef Brisket Noodle 牛腩米線 + Soy Sauce Chow Mein 豉油王炒麵 + hot coffee. $15.95 for Ham & Cheese Omelet 芝士蛋奄力 + French Toast 西多士 + Satay Beef Macaroni 沙爹牛肉通粉 + hot coffee. But if you factor in how much work need to cook these, then price is considered expensive.

All other restaurants in the plaza close on Mondays. Maybe that's why Van Tea was full when we arrived at 10am...

Van Tea Cafe.. Richmond style take 2…

I have been to the Vancouver location multiple times because really like their live seafood deals and their baked salted egg yolk spareribs plus a few specialty dishes not many places have.

As for this newer Richmond location, came here once when it first opened and all I can say is; barely any service and food was horrible, nothing like the Vancouver location. (Richmond can’t drive and now can’t cook too?!?)

The restaurant is located on plaza on Garden City Road and Capstan. It has a shared parking lot that is free for customers of the plaza.

Anyways , here I am back again to give it another try (pleaseee be that uncle from HK in the kitchen who can cook a hundred different tasty dishes). Here were the food I ordered;

Wok fried lobster with vermicelli noodle pot. The lobster is almost 2Lbs, decent size with tender meat. Honestly pretty tasty with good wok hay. Pretty good deal for $79 . 2 item (chicken steak & sausage) combo with spaghetti and borscht soup. Pretty straightforward combo dish at most HK cafe. The spaghetti was nicely cooked. 3 item (salmon, sausage, pork chop) with rice and Chinese soup. The salmon was a bit overcooked, however the pork chop was tender and nicely cooked.

Overall, this time around the environment was more pleasant; the servers were friendlier and more attentive, the food was better especially the lobster dish, and atmosphere was more welcoming and comfortable.

I think the only thing i personally would like is the grill combos to come in a hot sizzling skillet, the classic Hong Kong style I am more accustomed to. Other than that, a much better experience this time around.

Maybe Richmond can cook better than they drive after all (just kidding guys lol but seriously stop taking...

So happy! 😃 Van Tea Cafe Richmond finally opened on Oct 19, Van Tea Cafe is a HK style cafe located on the corner of 41st and Main. My family always has trouble deciding where to eat , my friend had recently recommended Van Tea Cafe so that's what I suggested, and our whole family are now their loyal guests in general they have so many delicious dishes to recommend! First of all, I personally highly recommend Drunken Chicken Pot, Singapore Laksa Rice Noodles, Steamed Rice with Northern Mushroom Slider Chicken and Chipotle Chicken Ball Pot! Also worth mentioning is their breakfast, Both breakfast with French Toast were quite good. I like their crispy sided sunny sides up and the smooth omelette. The French Toast totally satisfied our cravings. It was crispy egg battered outside with egg custard jam inside. You could add the butter and syrup on top of your French Toast. The Satay Beef on macaroni was very flavorful with the satay sauce. 👍

Food was delicious and one of the best laksa in Vancouver! Reasonably priced and huge servings. The place is very clean inside Amazing staff, very kind polite and patient. Vancouver is an Asian food hub and Van Tea Cafe is the best Hong Kong styled restaurant. Very authentic, would...