Dim Sum in Vancouver: Seaport City Restaurant

Back in the 1980s, a wave of immigrants from Hong Kong brought their culture to Vancouver, and along with it, dim sum in Vancouver and Hong Kong-style cuisine began to thrive. Located in downtown Vancouver, Seaport City Restaurant captures the essence of a classic cha chaan teng, or Hong Kong-style café. My friend invited me, so I came to try it for the first time, curious about how authentic the flavours are.

Our friend had a reservation, so we were seated quickly when we got there. A server brought us a pot of tea, kept warm with a candle underneath. Looking over the extensive menu filled with tempting choices, it was hard to decide where to start. Given the prices, we went for 5 classic dim sum dishes to start.

Steamed Prawn Dumpling (Har Kau): Although the portion had just five dumplings, each one was packed with fresh, juicy shrimp. The dumplings were tender with a delightful seafood sweetness, impressively authentic in flavor.
Sticky Rice Wrap with Fried Scallop: Similar to a rice dumpling, this sticky rice wrap had a rich filling of chicken, scallops, and roasted meats. It was fragrant, soft, and satisfying.
Scallops and Shrimp Siu Mai: These siu mai were filled with hearty portions of meat and seafood. The taste was excellent, though slightly salty, possibly due to the seafood—still, the filling was well-prepared and substantial.
Steamed Chicken Feet in House Special Sauce: Ordered for a friend who loves chicken feet, these weren’t my preferred soft, melt-in-the-mouth type. However, my friend thoroughly enjoyed them.
Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun: This was outstanding! Tearing open the bun revealed a golden custard filling that flowed out, rich with salted egg yolk flavor and a creamy sweetness. Best enjoyed warm, this was a must-try!

Seaport City Restaurant’s dim sum was a bit salty but overall had an authentic taste. The restaurant has a lively ambiance that can get noisy during lunch rushes, though service is friendlier than typical Hong Kong establishments. All in all, if you’re looking to experience authentic Hong Kong-style dining in Vancouver, Seaport City Restaurant is worth visiting at least once!

📍海洋城 Seaport City Restaurant
2425 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4M5 Canada