Edmonton's Chinese food scene is broad and deep, from weekend dim sum packed with families to fiery Szechuan spots that'll make you sweat. These are our current picks, plus what to know before you order.
Dim sum
Dim sum is a weekend tradition in Edmonton, and the city has proper cart-service and menu-order spots.
Sunning Family Restaurant (新宁) is the kind of place where Chinese families actually eat. That's always a good sign. Their dim sum selection is extensive, and the congee is worth ordering alongside your dumplings.
Szechuan and spice
Szechuan Castle is Edmonton's go-to for the mala (numbing-spicy) flavors of Sichuan province. Mapo tofu with real Szechuan peppercorns, dan dan noodles, and dry-fried green beans that'll ruin you for any other version. If you like heat with complexity, this is your spot.
What to know before you go
- Dim sum timing: go between 10 AM and noon on weekends for the best selection. By 1 PM the popular dishes start running out.
- Family style: most Chinese restaurants are built for sharing. Order one dish per person plus one extra, put everything in the middle, and pass it around.
- Tea service: at dim sum, your tea is refilled for free. Flip the teapot lid open when you need more: that's the signal to the server.
- Cash vs. card: some of the older spots still prefer cash. Check before you sit down.
- MSG: many traditional Chinese restaurants use MSG. It's a flavor enhancer, not something to fear. If you have a sensitivity, ask, but don't assume it's bad.
Edmonton's Chinese food is the real thing. Skip the food court versions and eat where the families eat.
