I live a block from Victoria Street (and
have done for fifteen years); Richmond’s famed strip of Asian restaurants.
And when I say “strip of Asian restaurants”, I mean a long
line of shops; easily confused with “strip-off Asian restaurants” where you might see racy-strip shows while you eat (Yuck! Can you imagine the food safety and hygiene implications??? It doesn't bear thinking about).
Just making sure you got that. I know you and your dirty mind.
I admit we don’t dine on Victoria St as
often as we should. When we first
moved to Abbotsford, we’d eat out there three to five times a week;
but after six months, the smell of peanut oil – and the idea of ever eating deep fried
spring rolls again – would turn my stomach.
Occasionally, however, we’ll have a visitor who is
keen to pop down for a visit, and I’ve discovered recently that there’s more to Victoria Street
than your traditional pho (soup) restaurants, or the rice paper rolls, Mongolian beef
and lemon chicken many restaurants have included on their menus in an
attempt to be a “me too” experience for the unwitting.
Some are lifting their game, becoming more
genre specific and getting trendier interior fit-outs. After the last couple of weeks trawling
the strip (with Jane’s cousin Matt-o-san) we found two very good options which I
can recommend you try... the next time you find yourself on Victoria St wondering where to go.