VANCOUVER, British Columbia, October 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chinese Restaurant Awards (CRA) is proud to announce the winners of its first competition Canada's Elite 30 Awardspresented live at a special awards ceremony at the Vancouver Club on October 29, 2025. Now, 16 years later, the CRA is ranking Chinese restaurants in Canada and Asia for the first time, recognizing the culinary excellence and chefs who are shaping the future of Chinese cuisine.
“We are pleased to finally introduce the ranking list of Chinese restaurants in Canada.” says Ray Kung, Managing Director of the Chinese Restaurant Awards. “The country has so much talent and such a diverse range of Chinese cuisines – it was the right time to create a special list that truly celebrates this culinary richness. That's why in Canada we have the Elite 30, determined by such a respected group of taste consultants who deeply understand and appreciate the tradition and evolution of Chinese cuisine, making this inaugural list even more meaningful.”
Selected from a list of the top 50 honorees, the Elite 30 Canada Awards are curated by the newly created Canada's Taste Consulting Teampresided over by the founding judge Lee Man, considered one of the most influential voices in Vancouver's Chinese food scene. The panel brings together 15 people from diverse backgrounds, united by the belief that Chinese cuisine is defined not only by restaurants, but by signature dishes that capture their essence through flavor, creating unforgettable experiences.
As Lee previously explained, “What sets our flavor consultants apart from other awards is that they are people who have a deep understanding of Chinese cuisine—they know its flavors, history and nuances because they've been eating it their entire lives. They are familiar with both regional traditions and modern applications. Each recognition accepted by our panel reflects the genuine care we put into selecting our winners.”
CANADA
Ambassador of the Year for Culture
This inaugural award recognizes an individual whose vision, leadership and dedication have had a lasting impact on preserving and celebrating Chinese culture in their community.
Carol Lee – Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, Vancouver, British Columbia
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Andersen Lee – Uncle Lee and Uncle Lee CO, Montreal, Quebec
Dim Sum Chef of the Year
Garley Leung – Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, Vancouver, British Columbia
Master Chef of the Year
Samuel Su – Fragrant House, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Canada's Elite 30 Awards – RATING
- Seafood restaurant Dynasty – Vancouver, British Columbia | Cantonese
- Chang An – Vancouver, British Columbia | Shaanxi / Northern China
- Fragrant House – Richmond Hill, Ontario | Cantonese
- Famous Stew House – Vancouver, British Columbia | Hong Kong style hotpot
- MOTT 32 – Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario | Peking duck / Modern Chinese
- Sea Harbor Restaurant – Richmond, BC | Cantonese
- Jumbo Lobster Restaurant – Richmond Hill, Ontario | Cantonese seafood
- Restaurant Bamboo Grove – Richmond, BC | Cantonese
- Fish Man – Richmond, BC | Szechuan/Cantonese seafood
- akin – Toronto, Ontario | Contemporary Asian
- Jiangnan Wok – Richmond, BC | Jiangnan
- Mimi Chinese – Toronto, Ontario | Modern Chinese
- R&D – Toronto, Ontario | Modern Canadian Asian
- Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant – Richmond, BC | Cantonese/Shunde
- iDen and Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House – Vancouver, British Columbia | Peking duck/Northern Chinese
- Restaurant Fishman Lobster Clubhouse – Scarborough, Ontario | Cantonese seafood
- Miss Qu BBQ and Restaurant – Markham/Scarborough, Ontario | Sichuan
- From Tai Fung – Vancouver, British Columbia | Taiwanese/Shanghai dim sum
- Chinese fusion restaurant “Osmanthus” – Richmond, BC | Jiangnan
- Max Noodle House – Richmond, BC | Cantonese noodles and congee
- Lanxuan Restaurant – Richmond, BC | Cantonese
- Jade Seafood Restaurant – Richmond, BC | Cantonese
- Nian Yi Kuai Tzu – Markham/Scarborough, Ontario | Sichuan
- Uncle Lee KO – Montreal, Quebec | Modern Chinese
- Kalvin's Sichuan Restaurant – Vancouver, British Columbia | Taiwanese/Sichuan
- Hot Pot Long Fong – Richmond Hill, Ontario | Hong Kong style hotpot
- Xi'an taste – Richmond, BC | Shaanxi / Xi'an
- Chinatown BBQ – Vancouver, British Columbia | Cantonese BBQ
- Hong Kong BBQ Master – Richmond, BC | Cantonese BBQ
- Lan Zhou noodles – Montreal, Quebec | Lanzhou noodles with beef
The first results of Elite 30 Canada show strong representation from both Western and Eastern Canada. British Columbia leads the way with 18 restaurants, highlighting the province's long-standing role as a hub for Chinese cuisine in Canada. Ontario follows with 10 restaurants reflecting the wide range of Chinese cuisine found throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Quebec is represented by two restaurants in Montreal, highlighting the continued growth of Chinese culinary influence across the country. MOTT 32, which operates in both Vancouver and Toronto, is recognized as the list's sole honoree.
SPECIAL REWARDS
DoorDash Diners' Choice Awards (three winners)
House Gourmet – Toronto, Ontario
Ideal Chinese restaurant – Scarborough, Ontario
Sichuan Chile – Vancouver, British Columbia
VANCOUVER Exclusive Rewards
Critics' Choice Signature Dish Award (13 winning dishes)
Boiled beef brisket with rice noodles in soup – New Town Bakery and Restaurant, Vancouver.
Chayote in a light vinegar dressing – Chef Tian, Richmond
Crab and Pork Kurobuta Xiao Long Bao – From Tai Fung, Vancouver
Chicken with green pepper – Xi'An Flavor, Richmond
Hainanese chicken with yellow rice – Mamali Malaysian Delight, Vancouver
Live abalone with ginger and green onions – Fish Man, Richmond
Loofah pumpkin with clams in broth – Chang An, Vancouver
Nanjing noodles in a large bowl – Yuan Garden, Richmond
Fried bun – Long's Noodles, Richmond
Roasted bitter melon with pine nuts and egg white – Sea Harbor Restaurant, Richmond
Noodles with onion oil – Mom's dumpling, Richmond.
Signature lobster “Ma Po Tofu” – MOTT 32, Vancouver
Wenshi Soup Tofu – Jiangang Wok, Richmond
Founded in Vancouver in 2008, the Chinese Restaurant Awards have become the authoritative guide to Chinese cuisine in Metro Vancouver for discerning diners. Over the years, a diverse panel of judges has anonymously visited restaurants of all sizes in search of their favorite dishes, eateries, eateries and undiscovered talents.
“This year’s expansion of the awards will serve as a guide for those who love Chinese food and want to explore Canadian cuisine.” adds If. “We have also added a section to our website that features recommended dishes at each Elite 30 Canada restaurant.”
For more information, winner profiles, ASIA's Elite 15 honorees, Awards Standards and taste advisor biographies, visit www.chineserestaurantawards.com.
ABOUT THE CHINESE RESTAURANT AWARD
Founded in 2008 in Vancouver, Canada, the company Chinese Restaurant Awards is the world's oldest restaurant award dedicated to Chinese cuisine. Established to enhance public recognition of Chinese cuisine and promote cross-cultural exchange, the awards are run by a team of culinary and marketing professionals with a deep passion for Chinese gastronomy. Over the years, it has amassed a legacy of influential events and collaborations showcasing the diversity, creativity and excellence of Chinese restaurants. In 2025, the awards ceremony will begin an important new chapter, expanding beyond Canada to celebrate outstanding restaurants and culinary talent from across Asia. defining a new era as a new global voice in Chinese gastronomy.
The 2025 Chinese Restaurants Awards are generously supported by Scotia Wealth Management, DoorDash, Destination Vancouver, Regency Auto, Air Canada, The Dalmore, St. Paul's Foundation, Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, The Keefer Bar, Olympic Distributors, Geoduck Canada, eatFish.caWingtat Game Bird Packers, suppliers OMECA, CBC, GoCanada.comSing Tao Media Group Canada and Vancouver Community College.
Chinese Restaurant Awards | www.chineserestaurantawards.com
Instagram @ChineseRestaurantAwards | Topics @ChineseRestaurantAwards |
Facebook ChineseRestaurantAwards
The photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5d80da6c-5efc-41a4-8486-74edfd734ffd
