The Very Best Chinese Restaurants in Scarborough?

[Googs]

It's important that they be within the boundaries of Scarborough. Do I have this right?

Cantonese: Maple Yip Seafood
Dim Sum: Casa Imperial & Dragon Dynasty
Hunan: Konner Chinese
Sichuan: Szechuan Legend

Are any other regions well represented? I don't mind if there's no English version of the menu. That's what GoogleTranslate Mobile is for.

On the other side of the coin, is there one really good sit-down Chop Suey House (a/k/a Canadian style) Chinese restaurant?

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Szechuan Legend
3280 Midland Ave, Toronto, ON M1V, CA

Dragon Dynasty
2301 Brimley Rd, Scarborough, ON M1S 5B8, CA

Maple Yip Seafood Restaurant
4227 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON M1S5H5, CA

Casa Imperial
4125 Steeles Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1W 3T4, CA

Konner Chinese Restaurant
3250 Midland Ave #126, Toronto, ON M1V 0C7, CA

[Breadcrumbs]

Wow, this thread is seriously making me hungry. We'll be in Scarborough tomorrow near Eglinton & Birchmount. I'm thinking Jade BBQ would be a good option for lunch. Does anyone know if they have a website/online menu? Or, is there a closer option you'd recommend?

[BamiaWruz]

Peking Garden was nice, american/canadian style chinese I think but very fresh and been in business since the 70s. It's between pickering and scarborough.

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Peking Garden Restaurant
4532 Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON M1E2N8, CA

[Charles Yu]

I haven't chipped in so far because I find this is a very difficult topic to pin down! Reason? The constant changing of chefs!! Within the past year, chefs have migrated to and forth, as opening their own places. These include Scarborough Fantasy Eatery, Brilliant, Ngau Kee, Casa Imperial, Yang's, Emperor.....! Only places with chefs still intact are O'Mei, John's B-B-Q and Judy's cuisine!

[Charles Yu]

The husband and wife team at Tan Chi Kee is still intact too. However, when I dined there last weekend, the food though still good and still great value for money ( eg., the $26.99 for two lobsters special, total weight at least 3 lbs+!! ) was not as great as before. May be the kitchen was swarmed by the weekend crowd!

For consistency, I guess I would stick with Mum and Paps and/or husband and wife 'smaller' operations

Back to the original topic. Yes, best Cantonese is still Maple Yip IMO

[Googs]

I know it's been very difficult to assemble current info for this. You're absolutely right about the last year being active. I can tell that just from researching let alone the actual dining you've been doing.

Are there any M&P's around Scarborough you'd recommend? Richmond Hill would be an adventure to get to for me to say the least. I'm somewhat shocked to find that, with such a large community in Scarborough, one would have to go north of Steeles in order to find high quality Chinese cuisine. Surely there must be someplace besides the undisputed Maple Yip.

[Charles Yu]

I believe 'Sun Star' on Finch between Bayview and Leslie is still pretty good. May be fellow chowhounder Royaljelly can confirm?!
Another good one is Fisherman's club House on 4911 Steeles East. Famous for seafood.
Both places are pretty busy so try booking ahead!

[Royaljelly]

We haven't been to Sun Star in ages, not that they are bad now, but just felt lately they slipped a bit as well (maybe the head chef is a little too comfy now that his place is "established". Even my dentist foodie friend who recommended the place to me initially, doesn't go there much either anymore. I keep running into him at Maple Yip.

Googs, just curious why you are so convinced that there is something better than Maple Yip? Was it a bad experience that you had there before, or their style of chinese cooking not to your liking? We usually go there just before their staff eat (weekend 4pm) and just from listening to how the staff talk, they sound like they all enjoy working there, that sense where it's like a family business and standards are consistently upheld. Maybe that, or else they just like to talk loud and eat with us when the place is nearly empty.

On a side note, my wife was at Jade BBQ yesterday to pickup some meats after her shift, and noted that they BBQ your turkey for you (can't remember how much, $10/lb?), with 2 days advance notice you just drop off your own bird. Just wondering if anyone has tried such a thing at a Chinese BBQ before and what the taste is like?

[Googs]

Not at all, Royaljelly. From what I can tell, Maple Yip's reputation is undisputed.

I'm trying to gather a "best of" list of Scarborough Chinese restaurants representing the various regional cuisines. Since I now live in such close proximity, I figure it's time to not only eat well, but educate myself.

The list presented is the result of my research to date. If you know of better Sichuan or Hunan places, please let me know. I don't question that Maple Yip is the best Cantonese offering. AND if you know of any Fujian, Jiangsu, or Zjehiang places, those cuisines look pretty interesting as well.

[Charles Yu]

The $26.99 Lobster Special of Tan Chi Kee - Wok Fried with shallots and maggie sauce instead of their proposed stirred fry with ginger and scallions

[Googs]

Hooooooly MOLey. Does that ever look good. And that's the place you think has gone downhill a little, huh. I'll take your leftovers sir.

[Charles Yu]

Sorry my chowfriend! The only left over were a few oily lettuce leaves at the bottom!

BTW, in terms of degree of deliciousness. Though TCK's tasted about 80% of O'Mei's un-matched version, however, O'Mei will undoubtedly cost in excess of $60!!

[plug]

.. i was going to add "chicken and noodles restaurant' aka jun jun for their wonton soup noodle but a relative had indicated that they heard in the chinese news that they use the 'one drop of aroma' chemical additive in their soup base. Has anyone else heard/read this?

[Charles Yu]

Yes! But I think they have stopped using it after their act was exposed!

[plug]

Have you gone back since? do you feel its safe to go back?
the reality is any restaurant can use this or continue without one knowing.
Is there a distinct flavour that would trigger red flags?

[Charles Yu]

J.J used to be my favourite Won-Ton noodle place in TO. Loved their authenticity in using yellowing chives and dried shrimp eggs in the broth/noodles. However, haven't been back for a while. Heard one cannot tell the difference if those essence was used. Just Umami galore!

[skylineR33]

Casa Imperial can also be good at Cantonese food, it provides haute cuisine in Cantonese food. Putting Maple Yip and Casa Imperial together is like putting George and Weezie together. If you are willing to spend over $100 or even $200+ per person at Casa Imperial, I am pretty sure you will be getting some nice Cantonese food in Toronto standard.

[Googs]

The objective is to put together a best-of for my continuing research and food tour of Scarborough. Admittedly, my knowledge of Chinese cuisines is weak. I rely solely on the expertise of fellow east end Hounds.

P.S. Which one's Weezie?

[AngelSanctuary]

I don't agree with Casa Imperial I just thought there food is very average but with very un-average prices. It's not they use very expensive ingredients either...

Do dumplings count as a category? I love Dumpling King's dumplings, really juicy, flavourful, and I think their wrappers have the best amount of thickness. But their non-dumpling foods are kinda hit and miss.

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Casa Imperial
4125 Steeles Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1W 3T4, CA

[skylineR33]

Ingradient can be expensive at Casa Imperial, have you tried their $1000+ set menu for 10 people ?

[AngelSanctuary]

Well I was only talking about their dim sum. But I'm not going to try after having tried their beef noodles, it was ridiculously bland and didn't really have that taste that things stir fried in a wok should taste.

[T Long]

If not at Casa Imperial, where is your vote for best dim sum in Scarborough?

[Googs]

AngelSanctuary, do you like Dragon Dynasty?

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Dragon Dynasty
2301 Brimley Rd, Scarborough, ON M1S 5B8, CA

[Royaljelly]

If Casa Imperial is on your list (i.e. Markham), then I'd include Xinjiang Restaurant at Metro Mall 3636 Steeles East (next to IBM) for some pretty good Uyghur Chinese Muslim food. Try their lamb skewers, very nicely seasoned.

If you crave more Muslim Chinese food, there's also Chinese Halal Restuarant at 668 Silver Star Blvd.

Yau Kee noodle house at 5651 Steeles E for pretty good noodles, dumplings, fish balls, etc.

We always go back to Yunnan Cross Bridge Rice Noodle restaurant at 19 Milliken Blvd (unit 3) for their very authentic cross bridge noodles. We also like their style of thinly fried breaded pork, and the kids always fight over their corn pancakes (slightly sweet).

Not really a restaurant, but Ho Ho BBQ at 3833 Midland for BBQ meats. My dentist also found a small gem at the corner of Finch and Birchmount (don't know their name though). They rely more natural meat flavours and less sauce, which I tend to prefer (some places add too much honey glaze on their cha siu aka John's).

BTW, has anyone tried The Royal Chinese after they moved to their new location at 3587 Sheppard E? We used to go to their old location quite often, but migrated over to Maple Yip and never went back. We tried to go once awhile back, but couldn't get a table and left with hungry kids.

[T Long]

Casa Imperial is in Scarborough....

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Casa Imperial
4125 Steeles Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1W 3T4, CA

[Googs]

Regarding your dentist's discovery... I'll take "Divine Wok" for a hundred, Alex.

[Royaljelly]

My dentist is quite the foody guy too, so before he unleashes his wrath of pain on my mouth, I pick his brains on which food places he's tried lately.

I think I found that BBQ place's name, it's Jade BBQ house (northwest corner of finch and birchmount). I believe they do whole suckling pig too if you pre-order.

Jade BBQ House
2950 Birchmount Rd
416-502-2882

[knusprig]

"If you crave more Muslim Chinese food, there's also Chinese Halal Restuarant at 668 Silver Star Blvd."

What would you recommend at this Halal resto RJ ?
I was very disappointed that all 3 dishes we ordered (chicken, lamb & vegs) were only seasoned with very hot chillies. There was no different taste from one to the next other than extreme heat.

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Silver Star Restaurant
100A Lupin Dr, Whitby, ON L1N1X8, CA

[Royaljelly]

For Chinese Halal we usually go to the one in North York as it's closer to home, but supposed to be the same owners as the Scarborough location.

knusprig, If all 3 of your dishes tasted the same and overly spicy, then it's probably just bad luck that you ordered dishes w/ similar chili levels. We've had a few dishes that are pretty mild in spice level as well, like their lamb soup w/ noodles, Lamb or beef pancake, lamb wontons, even the lamb grilled skewers I don't find overly hot (and I'm a wimp in terms of heat). They also have 2 kinds of noodles that I like. One is a thicker white noodle that has a nice chewy consistency to it, goes nice w/ the fatty lamb and rich broth. Another is a cold clear wide noodle that's served w/ a spicy chilly oil sauce topped w/ some herbs.

There's some photos (not mine) here that might help you pick some dishes if you want to give them another try.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/oH3V-79...

[smfan]

Tried the Royal, still the same. Not too oily or salty, No MSG tasted. Now they are open for lunch as well.

[szw]

I like Ba shu ren jia much better than szechuan legend...

[Googs]

Does anyone else agree with szw? Is Ba Shu Ren Jia better than Szechuan Legend? No offence to szw, just looking for other opinions.

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Ba Shu Ren Jia
4771 Steeles Ave E, Toronto, ON M1V, CA

[Charles Yu]

Both Bashu and Szechuan Legend have fancier presentation. However, food and tastewise, I'll settle for ' The Old House ' in Glen Watford Drive!! 'Hole-in-the-wall' but very authentic and great wok-hay dishes! 90%+ patrons are Mandarin speaking = a great sign!!

To die for' greaseless and crispy crepe pancakes! Even a simple stirred fry potatoes with onions and eggplants can turn out to be heavenly!!

BTW, chef owner source his special chilis directly from China!.
A caveat to potential patrons. Chinese only menu! But walls are plastered with photos of house specialty dishes

[Googs]

I have no need of linens and candles, only great food. The Old House sounds like one of those mom and pop places you suggest.. Is it? If this menu is accurate, I can always take a print-out. I kinda like the idea of point and shoot dining though,
http://toronto.fyood.com/restaurant/m...

[Charles Yu]

Wow! They do have an English menu afterall!
Not Mom and Pop but more like Husband and wife!
Regarding your point and shoot! Stay away from the 4 chili signs! Its murder!!
Good luck!

[childofthestorm]

What do you recommend from the English menu Googs posted? Make it easy for us, Charles!

[Googs]

I believe a walking tour of Glen Watford is in order.

[Iron Buddha]

It is the only place in town that offers authentic Beijing Style meat pancakes. We know the owners and keep hoping they will expand the place a bit since it gets full quite quickly.

Try the spicy pot for fish - even for those of us not keen on chili the fish fillet still tastes great (key thing is to remove the chilli as soon as possible and wash the meat in lukewarm tea - still tastes good despite all that).

[Charles Yu]

Is this the pancake you eluded to? The one in the picture is the pork and leek version.

Their Beijing rather than Langzhou style Dan-Dan hand-pull noodles is kind of different as well. Sans soup and looks more like a bowl of meat ragu pasta! Very unique tasting, not too peanutty!

Lastly, the very simple sauteed potatoes with eggplant and peppers was deceptively delicious!

For my next trip, I'll round up more people and try out more dishes. Any recommendations?
However, I guess I'll pass on the 4 chillies fish hotpot. When I ate there last, the table next to me had that dish and the couple lost their voice half way through dinner after eating the dish!! Poor soul

[Royaljelly]

Charles, the 4 chilies fish hotpot is quite unique and even for a spice whimp like myself, it's totally addictive. The fish is very tender after sitting in that bowl of hot savoury oil. They give you a tiny ladle to scoop out the chilis if you like. The only better version I had was in Beijing at a restaurant called Spicy Mama.

I think that is the same pork pancake in your photo that Iron Buddha (aka, my wife) mentioned.

[Charles Yu]

Ha! Ha!! You must be joking!!!!! Iron Buddha is your wife??!!!! Cool!!
Anyways, time for another chowmeet with skylineR33...etc??!!

[Googs]

I recommend taking me!

[szw]

I don't mind hole in the wall at all, its all about food to me. I've been to "old house" a couple times *years ago* and was not impressed. I wanted to like it, however the food just wasn't THAT good to me. I still much prefer the sichuan at Ba Shu. I will give it another more recent try though!

[T Long]

Hakka cuisine is often discussed on CH and both Federick and Lin Garden have been mentioned as the best in the GTA and both are in Scarborough. No personal opinion offered though as I've not eaten at either one.

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Lin Garden
1806 Pharmacy Ave, Toronto, ON M1T1H6, CA

[Googs]

The general impression I get is that both of them have gone downhill and are no longer worth the trip. For some reason, I've never cozied up to the notion of Hakka.

[Pincus]

Lin Garden is not worth a visit except for cheap lunches, in my opinion.

[Wahooty]

I'll second Maple Yip. Haven't been to Szechuan Legend, but a couple of years ago stumbled on Lao Cheng Du and really enjoyed a few visits. I have no idea if it's still there or run by the same people, so it may require further investigation.

[Googs]

That's so funny. I REMEMBER your review. I think that it's been replaced by a Mandarin restaurant by the name of Peng Fu Xuan Shi Guo Yu because they couldn't think of a longer name.

This is an underutilized function of DineSafe. If you want to know if a restaurant still exists, plug their address into the DS search function.

[childofthestorm]

How do you use Google Translate in Chinese restaurants, btw? Get the server to say the specials on the wall into your phone?

I'm still waiting for the Chinese version of that app where you can take a pic...that will be a food game-changer.

[Googs]

Google Goggles Translate. Haven't tried the Goggles aspect yet. I've translated a few menus with Google Translate on my laptop and it manages to give me enough info to know what I'd be ordering if not exactly a word-for-word relationship.

[Wahooty]

Can't say I'm surprised, but it's a bummer regardless. :(