ChiuChow Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in Vancouver

Worm Warning!

Our recent dim sum lunch at this restaurant was a really bad experience that I feel compelled to share. The only redeeming factor was its location in the former Kirin Restaurant space, which carries a sense of nostalgia but does little to salvage the meal itself.

We ordered a variety of dim sum staples: siu mai, har gow, rice roll with minced beef, pan fried radish cake, deep-fried glutinous rice ball with pork and diced shrimp, deep-fried taro dumpling with pork and pine nuts, and gai lan with oyster sauce. Unfortunately, the food quality was underwhelming across the board. The siu mai and har gow were bland, lacking the fresh, vibrant flavors expected from these classic dishes. The rice roll was chewy and the minced beef filling uninspired. The deep-fried items, while crispy, were greasy and failed to showcase the ingredients’ quality. The taro dumpling, in particular, was a letdown, with the pine nuts barely noticeable and the pork filling lacking depth.

The gai lan with oyster sauce was the most shocking part of the meal. Not only was it old, fibrous, and covered in unappetizing yellow flowers, but it also came with an unwelcome surprise: a worm. When we pointed this out to the waitress, her response was a dismissive “it’s okay,” suggesting this was neither surprising nor uncommon. She showed the dish to the manager, who merely shook his head and brushed it off without an apology. Their solution? They removed the price of the gai lan from the bill—no discount, no further acknowledgment, and certainly no effort to make things right. The indifference was astounding.

The service matched the food in its lack of care. The staff’s attitude was lazy and apathetic, making us feel like an inconvenience rather than valued customers. This kind of service, paired with subpar food and a cavalier attitude toward hygiene issues, is unacceptable.

I had heard warnings about ChiuChow Seafood Restaurant before visiting, and now I understand why. Unless you’re okay with indifferent service, lackluster dim sum, and the possibility of “extra protein” in your vegetables, I strongly recommend avoiding this place. I won’t be returning.

Rating: 1/5 Recommendation: Avoid unless you’re desperate and don’t mind tough, flavorless gai lan or the...

My mom grew up in Teochew in the 1940s so she was eager to try out the restaurant for our Thursday family dinner last week as there are many Teochew restaurants in Vancouver.

When our waiter was not able to say “I don’t speak Teochew” in Teochew responding to my mom’s question when we were given the menus, I told her that she might need to adjust her expectations of authenticity. The English spelling of Chiuchow in the names of some of the dishes was also a clue.

We ordered 6 dishes: Chiuchou style marinated meat platter. Deep fried shrimp mousse with water chestnut. Pan-fried baby oyster omelette Stir-fried beef and gai lan in satay sauce Stir-fried chives with dried shrimps, dried oyster, yam beans and taro Deep-fried sweetened taro (as dessert)

Before our foods were served, she was telling us that she would be able to tell the authenticity of the dishes by the oyster omelette dish. Unfortunately, she did not like it. There wasn’t much flavour in the oyster and the omelette was not golden brown. She also preferred meats on the platter to be marinated longer. Otherwise, she rather enjoyed the rest of the dishes. However, I’m not sure she would recover from the omelette dish to pay a second visit.

I agree her assessment on the 2 dished. However, my husband and I like the gailan dish, the chive dish, and the shrimp mousse quite a lot. My husband loves the different textures in every bite of the chive stir fry dish and I love the aroma.

We already talked about going back again for dinner to try the sweetened mashed taro with gingko for dessert. I grew up eating this prized Teochew dessert in Hong Kong in this neighbourhood Teochew restaurant that my maternal side of the family would go every we had family occasions.

My only wish and it is purely personal … I wished they had changed out the decoration put in by Regal Mansion (the previous business) when Regal took over the space from Kirin (the 2nd previous business). The long red lanterns are not proportional to the space and seem trying too hard to be modern. The oversized flattened Chinese lanterns with Kirin...

The food pretty good! Cash payment got 5% discount and free tea.

ChiuChow Seafood Restaurant on Broadway offers a delicious and authentic taste of Teochew cuisine in a welcoming, casual setting. Their dim sum is especially popular, with standout dishes like siu mai, ha gau, spring rolls, and silky rice rolls, all praised for their freshness and flavour. Seafood lovers will enjoy the crispy fried squid and salted egg yolk prawns, both rich and satisfying. The roasted chicken with glutinous rice is a house specialty that combines crispy skin with tender, savoury meat. Service is efficient, and the spacious dining area makes it great for gatherings. Free parking adds extra convenience.

ChiuChow Seafood Restaurant on Broadway is a hidden gem in Vancouver for fans of authentic Teochew cuisine. The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, but it’s best known for its consistently well-executed dim sum and flavourful seafood options. Guests rave about the freshness and delicate textures of staples like ha gau (shrimp dumplings), siu mai, and spring rolls. The rice rolls are silky and generously filled, while the fried squid is perfectly crispy without being greasy.

Seafood lovers will appreciate dishes like prawns coated in rich salted egg yolk and scallops cooked to buttery perfection. Another crowd favourite is the roasted chicken with glutinous rice—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and infused with fragrant seasonings. The marinated meats, such as soy duck, offer a classic Chiu Chow flavour that is both nostalgic and satisfying.

The atmosphere is bright and spacious, ideal for family dinners or large group gatherings. Service is attentive and food arrives promptly. Complimentary parking at the rear adds convenience, especially in a busy area like Broadway. For those seeking traditional Chiu Chow flavours with solid execution and good value, ChiuChow Seafood Restaurant is a reliable and highly recommended choice in Vancouver’s Chinese...