Growing up in the 1970s in the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood meant a few things for me.
Getting my haircut at Mike’s Barber Shop. Going for treats at the DQ walk-up stand. Seeing movies at the Dophin theatre. And, on Friday nights, eating Chinese food at the Dragon Inn on Hastings at Willingdon.
I don’t recall if there were other Chinese restaurants in the Heights at that time, but as far as I knew, the Dragon Inn was where you went. It was an iconic restaurant that stood for decades with its distinctive neon sign of a majestic dragon. Burnaby has such an incredible selection of Asian restaurants today that it’s likely hard for people to fathom the complete lack of diversity in restaurants in the 1970s. So, for anyone wanting something other than steak and potatoes, you went to the Dragon Inn for great food and amazing staff. I remember being treated so well when our family went out for dinner at the Dragon Inn. They are some of the best memories I have of my childhood.
Since this restaurant changed hands years ago, it has been a succession of Chinese restaurants of varying success.
But it’s now seeing a rebirth after a dramatic renovation that has produced our next great Asian restaurant – the Jade Palace.
The renovation has made the place look brand new, with bold yellows and reds. The menu is huge, with a wide variety of your favourite Hong Kong-style dishes. I went with the sautéed cod with Chinese broccoli and it was excellent. So was the service – keeping up the old Dragon Inn tradition.
Burnaby is on a roll for great new Asian Restaurants.
Mui Garden has now opened its third Metro Vancouver location, with a soft opening recently at 4727 Kingsway to go along with its Vancouver and Richmond locations.
I spoke with Ben Mui about this family-run company.
“Mui Garden was first opened on Victoria Drive in Vancouver in 1992, when we immigrated here from Hong Kong,” Mui said.
That location has been operated by the same family since - so it's been 29-plus years.
“We also have a Richmond location that is still in operation since 1996 (again, same ownership). We are Hong Kong-style cafe, and anyone who knows Mui Garden, they know we are known for our Malaysian curry as well as our Hainanese Chicken.”
This is how they describe their Malaysian curry: “With over twenty meticulously blended spices and ingredients, and over two decades of perfection, combined with our unique home style cooking, we are proud to present to you a dish that is a one of a kind. Come try our famous curry with various meats or seafood, and vegetables.”
So there you go. Two fine new Asian restaurants to try.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
