It’s no secret that Richmond has some of the best Asian food in the world — and that’s not just a local’s brag.
The New York Times wrote: “Richmond has the best Chinese food outside of greater China — full stop.” (June 4, 2018)
So there you have it. But how to find those savoury haunts is another matter. More often than not, it’s by word of mouth; and knowing what to order once you get there is yet another insider secret.
Feast Asian Dining Festival aims to blow that wide open. Festival organizers, Alvin Chow and Sonny Wong, are shining a spotlight on 34 of the city’s best Asian restaurants throughout the month-long culinary event starting Oct. 18.
“Richmond has some wonderful Asian restaurants hiding in plain sight,” said Wong at Tuesday’s media launch.
The festival aims to be a kind of culinary guide, helping the cuisine curious as well as hard-core foodies explore the vast buffet that is Richmond’s food scene.
Similar to Dine Out Vancouver, which launched almost 18 years ago and continues to whet public appetite, participating restaurants have put together menus and specials that show off their best dishes and most distinct offerings.
And by Asian, this festival means everything from Chinese to Persian, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Shanghainese, Filipino and more.
At the launch, MLA Jas Johal endorsed the event, saying Richmond’s Asian cuisine has earned its international reputation in part thanks to its unique fusion quality — a quality that well reflects the city’s diversity.
Acting mayor Linda McPhail echoed Johal’s cultural connection, noting that events like this foster cultural harmony.
This is the festival’s second year. Last year, organizers included restaurants from across the Lower Mainland, whereas this year it will only focus on Richmond. But in a case of less is more, David Chung, president of the B.C. Asian Restaurant Cafe Owners Association noted that in just one year, the festival has “really blossomed.”
For more information about the Feast festival, including a list of menus and prices, go online to AsianFeast.ca.
