Lee's House Restaurant李家小馆 — Restaurant in Saanich

I recently dined at Lee’s House Restaurant on Shelbourne Street in Victoria, and it was a great experience! I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars—a solid spot for authentic Chinese and Taiwanese food, though there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Lee’s House Restaurant is located at 3994 Shelbourne St, which is a convenient spot if you’re in the Gordon Head or UVic area. The atmosphere inside is cozy and welcoming, with simple decor that gives off a family-run vibe. The staff were super friendly and attentive, which made the whole experience even better. They were happy to answer questions about the menu and even gave recommendations when I asked.

I ordered their famous Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup, which was absolutely delicious. The broth was rich and flavorful with just a hint of spice, and the beef was so tender it practically melted in my mouth. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and the portion was generous for the price (around $15). I also tried the Sauced Pork Over Rice, which was another highlight—savory and comforting, exactly what I was craving. To drink, I got their Coconut Milk Tea with pearls, and I have to say, it was amazing! The pearls were chewy but not overcooked, and the milk tea had just the right amount of sweetness (I asked for less sugar, and they nailed it).

The menu has a good variety of dishes, from Cantonese classics like Sweet and Sour Pork to Taiwanese specialties. They also have gluten-free options, which is great for anyone with dietary restrictions. I noticed they offer delivery through apps like DoorDash and Fantuan, which is handy if you’re in the mood for takeout.

That said, there were a couple of minor downsides. I heard from a friend who ordered takeout that their portions were a bit small for the price—apparently, they paid $84 for five dishes and felt the containers were only half full. I didn’t have that issue dining in, but it’s something to watch out for if you’re ordering to-go. Also, some of the dishes can be hit or miss depending on your taste. For example, I read online that someone found the sauce on their Sweet and Sour Fish too sour, though I didn’t try that dish myself.

Overall, Lee’s House Restaurant is a fantastic spot for authentic Taiwanese and Chinese food in Victoria. The Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup and Coconut Milk Tea are must-tries! I’ll definitely be back to explore more of their menu—maybe I’ll try their House Special Fried...

Second time at this place after trying it once at the start of covid. Unfortunately, nothing has changed as the food was not very tasty and the restaurant cut corners on what and how much it offered. The Sezechan Chicken with vegetables used very little chicken and a lot of the cheap pale chinese cabbage as its "vegetables". If you've never had this "suey choi" cabbage, its a completely bland cardboard taste and the cheapest in the veggie world to throw a few leaves into a dish. The house special noodles were passible except again...no flavour. Too add this meal, where the chicken was $20 and the noodles were $18, we had to sit in a restaurant that every inch of the floor was greasy and sticky. The restaurant also had a smell to it that wasnt pleasant.

Service was just o.k. The older lady that didnt want to give us more than one single napkin each was epitome of cheapness. It was like the food fairs at the malls where they wont give you more napkins to make as much profit as possible. Really?

I dont like to be too critical about restaurants as I know its a hard business with the last few years being especially difficult for them. Still though, with the cost of dining out these days and the constant demand for more "tips" for even the basic of service; restaurants owe it to their customers to raise their level of standard in every possible to way or their value proposition in leaving your home to sit at their businesses is diminshed greatly. I understand why they have...

We’ve visited Lee’s House a couple of times and have tried a good mix of dishes.

The fried beef noodles are flavorful and well cooked, with tender beef and that nice wok-fried taste. Their dim sum is on the steeper side price-wise, but it is delicious and clearly made fresh. We’ve sampled quite a few items and everything has been consistently good.

The sour spicy soup was another standout. It tastes close to authentic, with a nice balance of tang and heat that makes it really satisfying.

Some of the rice dishes were fine but not particularly memorable. The Taiwanese braised pork leaned more toward the salty side, so that one was just okay for us.

Overall, Lee’s House is a solid spot if you’re craving dim sum or Chinese comfort food. While some dishes are better than others, the dim sum, fried beef noodles, and sour spicy soup are definitely worth coming back for. Prices can feel a bit steep, but the flavors and quality make it a good choice for when you want something tasty and...