Tag Archives: Victoria’s Chinatown

02.26.15
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Looking for Sea Life at Ocean Garden

568 Fisgard St
Victoria, BC
(250) 360-2818

It’s not often that I’d swim with the fishes at Ocean Garden in Chinatown. If I want authentic Chinese, I’d go to China or ask my family elders to cook for me. But for tourists and many a local in this area, this establishment is a mainstay of the Victoria scene. Between this and four other places on this side of the road, just where I really like to go depends.

After watching the lion dance and kung fu demonstration to really kick Chinese New Year off to start in the “first” weekend of the lunar year, I was feeling a bit peckish. My friends and I thought a visit to the Ocean was required and while I pondered what I should grab from the sea, the choice ultimately boiled down to Deep Fried Prawns ($10.50), Beef and Broccoli Chow Mein (10.50) and a Seafood and Vegetable platter (8.95).

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02.23.15
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[Victoria, BC] Chinese New Year Celebrations in the Heart of Chinatown

In my youth, Chinese New Year meant going to Victoria, BC’s Chinatown with my parents and watching the lion dances held at this special time of the year. I recall fond memories when firecrackers were handed out to my dad, and he would let me hold the incense stick to light the firecrackers. He tossed them close to where the dancers were and they exploded. When nobody was looking, he even let me light and throw a few myself. That excitement gave life to those dances from decades ago. These days, due to fire regulations and safety, what’s done is a tamer comparison of what I fondly recall. At least the purpose remained the same: the noise is meant to scare the evil away so prosperity can enter the businesses.

On a variable cloudy day, the sun came out to shine on today’s celebrations. That’s a good sign for what’s to come. And I got to hang out with very good friends while we enjoyed watching the lions dance around the block that cumulated to a martial arts demonstration by the Hung Fut Kung Fu club, which has been around since 1974. I’ll let the pictures I took speak for itself:

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02.22.15
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Gung Hay Fat Boys 2015: Don Mee Strikes Out

Don Mee Seafood Restaurant
538 Fisgard Street
Chinatown
Victoria, BC
(250) 383-1032

J: As a friend recently told me, Don Mee isn’t for Chinese, it is for Caucasians who like western style Chinese cuisine. Perhaps there is a ring of truth. After Ed and I had finished dining there for Chinese New Year, what we ate wasn’t close to authentic. He’s been to Shanghai and sampled the cuisine around this region.

Back in Victoria, however, I’ve heard there’s food you can order off the menu but perhaps if I had prior knowledge, It would’ve made for some wiser decisions.

My parents first came to eat here back in 1975 and I was to follow them 30 years later. I’ve had lunch here to some extent but never dined. On this occasion I was flying blind. Both Ed and I failed to notice the poster at the front door and the sign on our table advertising their new year’s special. But was our choice to go with a regular dinner for two (and an appetizer plate) the best choice to make?

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08.27.14
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[Victoria, BC] T’was A Special Day for Chinatown’s Freemasons Society

ChinatownParade2The Victoria chapter of the Chinese Freemasons celebrated their anniversary on August 17th and I was there to witness it for the first-time. They were established in 1876 and are considered to be one of the oldest Chinese Freemasons in Canada. To have such distinction is reason enough to celebrate on a grand scale. People who attended the celebration under the gaze of the Gate of Harmonious Interest were not only treated to a Fo Shan lion dance but also martial art demonstrations by students of the Wong Sheung Hung Fut Kung Fu Club.

And for the curious tourist, there were two tours offered to take them into a glimpse of one of Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Lucky visitors were able to receive rare glimpses into buildings that are not normally accessible to many people throughout the year.

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11.08.12
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Shizen Sushi

Shizen Sushi
8-1706 Government St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 381-8228

J: Twice now I’ve been foiled from any attempt to grab some dinner at Ebizo Sushi. It’s either we were early or we arrived on a day they were closed.

Dejected, I was still determined to get my hands on some decent Japanese cuisine. The light bulb above Ed’s head was switched on. Ed’s idea was to eat at a Japanese restaurant in Victoria’s Chinatown. I thought “why not”, if someone of Chinese descent can own an Italian pizzeria, than why not a place that produces Japanese food.

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06.19.11
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Golden Boy Blues

Golden City Restaurant
721 Fisgard Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 386-8404

Going out for dim sum with my relatives have often made for a traditional Sunday brunch. That’s when it’s most popular. But to sate a sudden craving, it can be found served on other days of the week and sometimes not even brought out in a cart. That’ll depend on the restaurant.

When going out with friends, it was a plan concocted the night before. My friend, Qué Banh, had a craving and checked to see who was interested in an impromptu gathering. Also there was her father, Chan Hai, and her friend, Triana Avis.

When we arrived at Golden City, Qué was disappointed that the carts weren’t being wheeled around. She said it took away from the entire dim sum experience.

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