Regional Chinese Food in Markham

December 9, 2020 Markham Eats

Markham is one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in Canada, and we are lucky to be able to have a strong representation of regional Chinese cuisine right in our own backyard. Although it would not be the same as being able to visit these locations in person, at Destination Markham we wanted to highlight some examples of the amazing regional cuisine we can experience even within our own neighbourhood.

This list is not exhaustive, but as the weather becomes colder and we look for activities to pursue in our own social bubbles, why not take a culinary tour of China and support our local restaurants?

This feature we wanted to specifically highlight takeout! It is the best way to support local restaurants and continue to stay safe- so check out these amazing takeout options!

Cantonese Cuisine

Cantonese cuisine is the most widely served style of Chinese cuisine in the world, and famous for dim sum. China’s third largest city Guangzhou (Canton) is the home of Cantonese cuisine. The most prominent features are light, umami, delicate and refreshing, with fresh ingredients and more than 21 comprehensive cooking methods.

Recommended: Dim sum is available everywhere, but Cantonese dim sum ranks the best! Worth including in your dim sum meal are Hong Kong egg custard tarts, wontons, and spring rolls.

Shangri-la Banquet

Shangri-la Banquet (not to be confused with the hotel) is a landmark of Markham, and an event and banquet hall. At the moment with regulations it is hard for us to have big events and reunions, but Shangri-la is also offering takeout!

They have an amazing assortment of takeout available right now- dim sum is also available during specific hours. It won’t be the same as flagging down a dim sum trolley, but safety first.

Website: https://shangrilabanquet.com/
Address: 50 Esna Park Drive Markham Ontario L3R 1E1
Phone Number: (905) 475 6571

Chef 88 Elite

Chef 88 elite offers takeout dim sum as well as amazing set meals: and during these unprecedented times, what a great way of enjoying banquet style experiences at home?

Website: https://chef88elite.ca/
Address: 1661 Denison St. Unit I1 Markham, On L3R 6E4
Phone Number: (905) 604 8218
Currently offering 10% OFF Dim sum!

Hong Kong

We wanted to separately write about Hong Kong cuisine due to the delightful blend of ingredients and influences. Whether its traditional Cantonese dim sum or beverages inspired by British culture, Hong Kong cafes, noodle shops and restaurants are abundant in Markham!

Wonton Hut

No Hong Kong restaurant list would be complete without Wonton Hut: founded by Eddie Yeung and the go to place for wonton, Wonton Hut has won numerous awards! Order their wontons with the famous chili oil-they sell them in bottles so you can add it to other dishes also.

Website: https://wontonhut.ca/
Address: UNIT 2A. 3760 Highway 7 East. Markham ON L3R 0N2
Phone Number: (905) 604 9060

Big Trio Wonton Noodle

Big Trio Wonton noodles offers frozen wontons, dumplings, and hand made cuttle fish balls: making it a breeze for anyone to enjoy fresh wontons from home! We’ve featured Big Trio Wonton Noodle before in our comfort soup highlight, and we are doing it again because we can’t stay away from the amazing wontons!

Website: https://www.bigtriowontonnoodle.com/
Address: 28 South Unionville Avenue, Unit 1061, Markham ON L3R 4P9
Phone Number: (905) 604 4366

Beefing with 7

Beef brisket noodles in a clear broth is a classic Hong Kong favorite: and what we love about Beefing with 7 is the décor of the restaurant! Enjoy your own mini Hong Kong experience, and take home amazing beef brisket noodles to slurp at home.

The beef brisket is tender and the portions generous: we also love the takeout packaging!

Website: https://www.beefingwith7.com/
Address: 2 Fenton Rd, Unit 8, Markham ON L3R 7B3
Phone Number: (905) 947 8878

Yin Ji Chang Fen

This casual food chain was founded in the 1950s and is famous for their rice rolls and congee- order a bowl of congee and rice rolls to go, and don’t forget the fried dough sticks! To be eaten with the congee. Carb overload? Maybe- but try it, and you’ll see why we recommend it.

Website: https://www.yinjicanada.com/
Address: 7010 Warden Avenue #17-18 Markham ON L3R 5Y3
Phone Number: (905) 307 2688

Sam’s Congee Delight

What better way of staying warm this winter season than with a bowl of congee? Fried dough is the perfect accompaniment, as well as Sam’s Congee’s amazing rice noodle roll. Originally founded in Hong Kon in 1966, the tradition of Sam’s Congee Delight continues in Canada after the Wong’s family came to Canada in the 1990’s.

Website: https://www.samscongee.com/
Address: 7354 Woodbine Avenue Markham ON L3R 1A5
Phone Number: (905) 479 1074

Ming’s Restaurant

Ming’s restaurant sells Hong Kong family style cuisine, and has an extensive takeout menu. They are a small business specializing in authentic Hong Kong cuisine, and have been open for 12 years. We highly recommend the HK Pork Chop on Rice: it is a Hong Kong Classic, and their signature item!

Website: http://bigming.ca/
Address: 8392 Kennedy Road Unionville, ON L3R 0W4
Phone Number: (905) 305 0770

Chiu Chow Dim Sum

Before moving on to another regional cuisine, we wanted to take a moment to highlight Chiu Chow dim sum. Also known as crystal dumpling, the dumpling skin is almost translucent, and is considered one of the most important elements of Chiu Chow dumplings.

APM Dim sum House

APM Dim sum House serves Chiu Chow cuisine- they also serve other regular Cantonese dim sum. We recommend visiting APM Dim sum House to experience Chiu Chow Dim sum as well as other dishes.

Website: http://www.apmrestaurant.ca/
Address: 8110 Birchmount Rd unit 1 & 2, Markham, ON L6G 0E3
Phone Number: (905) 604 2120

Shandong Cuisine (Lu Cuisine)

Shandong cuisine is recognized as being fresh and salty with crisp and tender features. Featuring a variety of cooking techniques, the most popular ingredients was seafood such as scallops, prawns, clams, sea cucumber and squid. Common methods of preparation are quick fry and deep fry, which features a distinctive crispy texture of the dishes.

QJD Peking Duck

A classic example would be Peking Duck, and why not visiting a brand that specializes in roast ducks? QJD started from Qianmen Street in Beijing before expanding all over the world, and we are lucky enough to have a branch in Markham. For stunning and beautifully plated dishes, visit QJD!

Website: https://qjd.ca/en/home/
Address: 7095 Woodbine Avenue Markham L3R 1A3
Phone Number: (905) 604 7798

Jiangsu Cuisine (Su Cai)

Also known as Su Cuisine, this cooking style from the Jiangsu Province and China’s biggest City Shanghai, produces a refined gourmet cuisine. Su Cuisine is well known for great seafood and generally sweet and light flavors and tender textures, with an emphasis on soup. Most popular cooking methods include stewing, braising, stir-frying and pickling, often with some added sugar. Dishes are often cooked using the earth around them, including slow-baking over an open fire and skillful braising in mud.

Shanghai Restaurant Recommendation

Ding Tai Fung

Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum is located in a busy Markham strip mall- right now, they continue to offer takeout. Shanghai dim sum differ from the more widely available Cantonese style dumplings and buns. Because the Shanghai variety are generally larger and brothier.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGawnECB3Ua/
Address: 3235 Hwy 7 #18B Markham L3R 3P9
Phone Number: (905) 943 9880

Shanghai Shikumen Fine Cuisine

Located in First Markham Place and offering takeout but not delivery, Shanghai Shikumen Fine Cuisine serves authentic Shanghai style cuisine at an affordable price.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqwnPQhQuN/
Address: 3229 Hwy 7, Markham, ON L6G 0A5
Phone Number: (905) 604 7166

Sichuan Cuisine

Sichuan cuisine is famous for its particularly numbing and spicy taste- as well as the unique numbing flavour of Sichuan peppercorn. Not all Sichuan dishes are spicy hot: they can be mild. Some of the most well known and popular Sichuan dishes include Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu. Classic dishes also include hot pot, fish filet in hot chili oil.

Sichuanese food was one of the most influential Chinese dining genres in North America. Before Hunan joined the cuisine race, for a long time Sichuanese was the epitome of spicy Chinese food.

Xiangzi Hot Pot

Xiangzi Hotpot is an amazing all you can eat hotpot restaurant that offers a spicy soup base and incredibly plated ingredients to add to the hotpot!

Website: https://xiangzihotpot.com/
Address: 3989 Highway 7 East Markham ON L3R 5M6
Phone Number: (905) 305 9888

The Relish of Chengdu

Hidden away in the corner of Langham Square in Markham is a small mom and pop restaurant that serves up Sichuan delicacies that packs enormous amounts of flavor! The Relish of Chengdu has already established itself as a local favorite for delicious, peppery dishes- the dishes may be spicy but they also have a lot of complex flavors!

Website: http://www.missspice.ca/zh-CN/home
Address: 1057-28 South Unionville Ave, Markham, ON L3R 4P9
Phone Number: (416) 900 3168

Taiwanese Cuisine

Being geographically and to some extent politically isolated from China, Taiwan has developed its own mixed unique cuisine. Small eats, and a lot of them, are a big thing in Taiwan- the island’s food is a hot pot of cuisine from Min Nan, Teochew and Hokkien Chinese communities, as well as Japanese cooking techniques.

Papa Changs

Papa Changs serves Asian fusion and authentic Taiwanese food. Taiwanese cuisine is famous for its snacks, and one of the most addictive snacks we’ve enjoyed is popcorn chicken- chicken fried just right with the perfect ratio of chicken to batter.

Website: http://www.papachang.ca/
Address: 5970 16th Avenue Unit 110 Markham ON L3P 7R2
Phone Number: (905) 554 7211

Mabu Generation

Experience trendy Taiwanese food at Mabu Generation: the owner’s modern take on regionally inspired Taiwanese Cuisine. Try an amazingly delicious, oozy molten cream cheesecake,

Website: https://mabugeneration.com/
Address: 3235 Highway 7 East Unit #23-36 Markham L3R 3P3
Phone Number: (905) 604 8358

Hakka Cuisine

Historically Hakkas were the nomads of China- their name means “guest families”. The cuisine is heart and strong, and because of the need to preserve food for their travels, salted, cured and pickled vegetables and meats are commonly used.

Frederick Restaurant

Frederick is a hard to find place and popular amongst locals and visitors alike! Having set the bar amongst hakka-lovers over the past 20 years, this is our go to spot to try hakka cuisine.

Website: http://www.federickrestaurant.com/
Address: 160 New Delhi Dr Markham ON L3S 0B5
Phone Number: (905) 472 1682

Li Dynasty

Li Dynasty is a family-owned Chinese restaurant, with a chef who has over 20 years of restaurant experience. The menu offers a wide selection of classic Hakka dishes, including locally renowned Chili Chicken, Dynasty Spicy Shrimp, and Hakka Chow Mein.

Website: https://lidynasty.ca/
Address: 9750 Markham Rd unit 1&2 Markham Ontario L6E 0H8
Phone Number: (905) 472 8668

Dessert Bonus!

No meal is complete without dessert, and while many restaurants offer dessert, no Chinese culinary experience would be complete without a visit to a dessert focused restaurant!

Markham has home to a plethora of bubble tea, dessert cafes, and more! The DMC teams plans to work our way through an entire itinerary focused on dessert: but before we do, we thought we could highlight 2 restaurant/cafes first.

Honeymoon Dessert

Honeymoon Dessert is a famous chain of dessert stores found in Hong Kong, and the first North American branch opened in Markham!

Website: https://www.honeymoondessert.ca/
Address: 3828 Highway 7 E, Markham, ON L3R 1L7
Phone Number: (905) 477 7688

Full House Desserts

A famous Hong Kong dessert icon in Markham, they were the first dessert spot that sold traditional Hong Kong style desserts and desserts filled with the King of Fruit: Durian.

Website: https://fullhousedesserts.ca/
Address: 8339 Kennedy Rd Unit #2325, Markham, ON L3R 5T5
Phone Number: (905) 604 1068

Do you have a favourite restaurant that isn’t included on the list? Is there a regional dish you would like to highlight! Email us at marketing@visitmarkham.ca, and we would be delighted to do a feature on the restaurant!

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