It was been a while since I went out for dim sum, so I called out my gym buddies, and after an hour long workout, we treated ourselves to multiple dishes split three ways.
Our gym is in Coquitlam. I am unfamiliar with restaurants in Coquitlam, let alone the ones to go to for dim sum. I find that dim sum is one of those meal types that if it is not good it is extra disappointing. So we relied on the referral of another gym mate who recommended that we try Yan’s Garden. This was conveniently under 10 minutes away from our gym, with plenty of free parking. Despite its all-advert plastered exterior with photos of their duck, dim sum, and dinner, it was hard to spot. Probably due to the overall visual exhaustion it gave us.
The restaurant is unsuspectingly large for an outdoor plaza business. We were ushered past the front foyer fish tank, right into the second annex room. The mirrored ceiling art caught my attention: koi fish swimming in a pond.
Yellow table cloths paired with blue upholstered chairs. We took our seats as directed and were given a check box menu to fill out. However, we barely used it considering that they have cart service. It has been ages since I have seen dim sum cart service.
This is, popular dim sum dishes trolleyed around on a push cart so that customers need only point to order. The goal is quick delivery and even quicker eating. The down side is the potential waste of dishes left unwanted and the inevitability of food allowed to cool. The upside is the potential of additional sales as people grab what they didn’t think they wanted until they saw it, and grab more right when they are seated.
This was the case with us, in the beginning we were quick to request all our favourites, and even multiples of some. However, towards the end of our meal it seemed like only the same dishes were floating around.
Overall the offerings were good. Nothing seemed out of place and everything was as expected.
The steamed cart had towers of bamboo steamers stacked one on top of the other, heated from the bottom A quick lift revealed the likes of chicken feet, vegetable dumplings speckled with green under “clear” wrappers, and ones with scallops topped with tobiko.
There was a cart with a clear glass showcase and three tiers for golden and glossy baked goods. Sweet buns like bbq pork and salted egg yolk. Fried bites like shrimp in eggplant and squid.
I was sure to order my favourites like shrimp dumpling and pork dumpling, pan fried turnip cake, spare ribs and pumpkin in a black bean sauce.
There was a completely covered cart that kept a variety of rice rolls warm. Bbq pork, pork and vegetable; we got two shrimp. Cut in half table side with kitchen shears and poured over with a sweet soy before serving.
As good as everything tasted we still asked for a side of chilli sauce to dip into, to help add interest, acidity, and longevity to our shared meal.
And for dessert we split a bowl of their baked mango sago with crispy topping. We were too full for it, but also contemplated their tofu dessert that came around the room in a barrel.
In short, it was less about the meal itself, and more about the experience with the push cart convenience. I would come back for that alone considering how little we had to wait as a result of this option.
Yan’s Garden
9938 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, BC V3J 1N3
(604) 421-8823
yansgarden.ca
