I Took My Partner to Richmond for a Day: Here’s Everything We Ate

I love Richmond—I would count myself blessed that I live as close to Richmond as I do. Being of Chinese descent, the city is my go-to spot whenever I’m craving something that reminds me of home. From amazing dim sum to tantalizing savoury Vietnamese crepes, it’s hard to leave Richmond on an empty stomach. So when my partner came to visit me for a weekend, I couldn’t resist planning a foodie adventure through the city, complete with ample walking routes in between to digest all the food. My only warning? Don’t wear tight jeans.

Breakfast at The Jade Seafood Restaurant

Richmond has a pretty large Chinese population, so starting your food tour with dim sum is a non-negotiable. The Jade Seafood Restaurant is packed with Chinese families on Saturday mornings—an indication that the dim sum is worth the hype. Must-order classics include the siu mai (steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, $8.99), cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) with prawns and chives ($10.99) and the egg tarts ($8.99). Still, the har gow (steamed shrimp dumplings, $10.99) were the real highlight for us: a juicy prawn encased in a translucent flour wrapper. The shrimp was succulent with just the right bite to it, but what really stood out was the wrapper—chewy but not tough, and subtly sweet to compliment the filling.

280-2811 Number 3 Road, Richmond
Daily 10a.m.–3p.m., and 5p.m.–9p.m.

Mid-Day Sweet Treat at Sweet 7

There’s a wide variety of dessert places at Union Square Shopping Centre, but my go-to spot for a post-meal sweet treat is Sweet 7. This bubble tea spot is just a 15-minute-walk away from The Jade Seafood Restaurant, so you’ll lose some of the calories you gained during dim sum while making space for Sweet 7’s signature Mango Pomelo Sago ($7.50). A dessert and drink all wrapped up in one cup, this concoction of mango slush, pomelo and numerous sago pearls is refreshing, sweet (but not too sweet!) and ideal for summer. We also tried Sweet 7’s new seasonal special, where fresh watermelon juice and mint meets creamy coconut milk to create a rejuvenating drink to beat the heat.

1131-8328 Capstan Way, Richmond
Daily 11.30a.m.–10p.m.

Lunch at Bánh Mì Très Bon

For lunch, we made our way to Bánh Mì Très Bon, a little Vietnamese eatery that specializes in bánh mì. Their housemade bread is crafted from a traditional Central Vietnam recipe, resulting in a fluffy bun with a beautifully crispy golden-brown crust. There are nine different fillings you can get at Bánh Mì Très Bon, but I highly recommend opting for the trio of mini bánh mìs ($17) if you’re just as indecisive as I am. The trio includes the Jambon, Poulet-Gà (lemongrass chicken) and the Xíu Mại (pork meatball). My favourite out of the three was the Jambon, where braised pork belly, Vietnamese ham and pâté are topped with a light yet creamy egg sauce, cucumbers and Sriracha. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the blend of sauces and flavours came together in perfect harmony. Don’t skip their deep, chocolatey Vietnamese coffee ($7) or the bánh khọt ($15): savoury mini crepes topped with shrimp, onion and shallots, served on a sizzling hot plate. Dunk your crepe in fish sauce for maximum flavour.

1840-4720 McClelland Road, Richmond
Daily 10.30a.m.–9p.m.

Afternoon Treat at Sweet Memory

While it’s easy to get lost in Sweet Memory’s menu filled with delicious bites like dry noodles with fried shallots or rice topped with tantalizing stewed pork, I recommend skipping to the dessert section instead. Opt for the Triple Classic Tofu Pudding ($10.95): three flavours—original, custard and chocolate—of ultra-silky, gently sweet tofu. Chocolate tofu may seem unorthodox, but it surprised us with its rich flavour and had us spooning it into our mouths. Since each guest is required to order one item, grab the Peach Green Tea Jelly ($8.95) too. It’s light, florally sweet and exactly as you’d imagine: pure peachy bliss.

130-8080 Leslie Road, Richmond
Daily 11.30a.m.–12.30a.m.

Dinner at the Richmond Night Market

The Richmond Night Market may not fall into the category of cheap, affordable eats, but this year, vendors must feature at least one menu item that’s $10 or under, so you can still feast without splurging too much. We kicked off our evening with Rotato’s spiral potatoes ($10) which were surprisingly easy to demolish despite its size. Next up, we stopped by Taco Nori for one of its ahi tuna sushi taco ($13)—a must-buy whenever we see the truck. Think crispy, non-greasy seaweed with warm sushi rice and a heap of fresh tuna chunks. For dessert, opt for Aroy Go Desserts’ mango sticky rice ($13), which is served with half a juicy mango. Finally, end your night at Eat A Beignet, where you will devour three warm, powdered-sugar-covered beignets ($9.50) in a matter of seconds.

8351 River Road, Richmond
Friday–Saturday 7p.m.–12a.m.; Sunday 7p.m.–11p.m.