Chinatown BBQ is more than a restaurant. Yes, it does serve some of Vancouver’s best Chinese BBQ — when you first walk in the door, you’re greeted by a display of glistening, succulent meat and the soundtrack is the rhythmic metronome of a cleaver thwacking on a well-worn butcher block as roast meats are chopped to order — but besides mouthwatering meats, Chinatown BBQ also serves as an important touchstone.
Past Meets Future
The restaurant started as an innovative idea of the Chinatown Foundation, a registered charity foundation that actively honours the culture and community that was first established in Vancouver’s Chinatown over 135 years ago. For the Chinatown Foundation, their mission is not just about preserving the history of this neighbourhood. They recognized that shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future is essential to its vitality.
Carol Lee, co-founder of the Chinatown Foundation, is the woman behind the restaurant concept. “Restaurants are the cornerstones of economic revitalization,” Lee shares, adding, “They act as beacons, drawing people into a neighbourhood, increasing foot traffic for local businesses, and strengthening the sense of community.”
Food-Focussed, Community-Centred
Interestingly, Lee is not a chef, but an entrepreneur and passionate protector of Vancouver’s Chinatown. She was driven by a sense of responsibility to help preserve the neighbourhood’s legacy for future generations. In terms of how to tangibly reinvigorate the area, Lee knew a restaurant, especially one serving BBQ, which is a cuisine typically shared amongst family, would be perfect.
“Food is a natural and meaningful way to preserve culture and keep communities alive,” notes Lee. She explains that Chinatown BBQ “combines traditional Cantonese-style cuisine with a modern sentiment and neighbourhood feel, creating a space where people can come together, share stories, and connect around the table.”
The restaurant feels nostalgic. It could have been open in Chinatown for decades, but it actually only first opened its doors in 2018. The interior design is intentionally retro. On the walls hang photos of the neighbourhood from decades past as well as other mementos. The goal was to seamlessly fit this new concept into a historic neighbourhood in a way that preserved continuity while breathing new life into the area. Some of the furnishings came from Foo’s Ho Ho, while some of the staff came from Daisy Garden.
Chinatown BBQ’s Many Meats
The menu at Chinatown BBQ is also inspired by the now-closed Daisy Garden’s own menu of BBQ. It features many Cantonese classics. First and foremost, authentic BBQ meats. They have the crispiest pork belly, honey glazed char siu, juicy duck, succulent soy chicken, as well as poached chicken. A new favourite of mine was suggested by my server on a recent visit. The Hong Kong style fatty BBQ pork is the closest thing to meat candy you will ever taste. It is an extra fatty jowl cut, that eats almost like pork Wagyu. They even give it a torching before serving so it is extra sticky and caramelized. One of Lee’s favourite cuts is the roast pork: “There’s a real attention to detail in how it’s prepared, from the texture to the flavour, which really sets it apart.”
Given the high quality of the BBQ, it should be no surprise that the House Signature Fried Rice is unforgettably delicious. It includes a unique ingredient, the trimmed ends of another signature Chinatown BBQ dish, the Gai Lan, which adds pleasing texture. The award-winning curry also shouldn’t be missed. The beef brisket curry is comforting, rich, and the beef is fork-tender. For a cold, crisp starter with satisfying crunch, try the Jellyfish marinated in sesame and chilli.
Share or Dine Solo
This is why it pays to visit with a bigger group, because then you can try even more dishes. Although Chinatown BBQ’s menu does make it easy to eat solo. You can get a single portion of meat on rice for just $13. Or, try the Four Treasures Chef’s Plate for a bigger variety. Chinatown BBQ even has a handy takeout window inside the restaurant. So, if you want to place an order to go, you can just walk right in.
Chinatown BBQ is by no means stuck in the past; it reverently reflects on its history and its place in one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods while offering a space for future generations to gather. The food on the menu might offer a taste of childhood to some customers, while at the same time, it might be the first bite of Cantonese-style BBQ for others. The restaurant also plays an important role in preserving legacy. As Lee reflects, “By supporting these establishments, we can help keep Chinatown vibrant and resilient for generations to come.”
