In search of the best crab in Vancouver!

http://www.kenschineserest​aurant.com/
Ken’s Chinese: Hong Kong Style Café, 1097 KINGSWAY

Every time Al’s birthday comes up he demands CRAB for his birthday dinner, and we head off in search of the best crab in the city!  For many years we went to the Yangtze on Robson. Their ‘Black Bean and Garlic Crab’ was to die for, but a tragedy closed the restaurant down. Since then we’ve been on the lookout for a restaurant that serves crab of that standard, and were excited to see that last year the Chinese Restaurant Awards awarded Ken’s Chinese for the ‘Best Crab in the City’. This birthday we went off to try it out.

The speciality dish is ‘Golden Crab’ and as we waited to be seated, plates of it went flying by; Al worrying that maybe there wouldn’t be any crab left for him. In the meantime I was reading the reviews on the wall, and saw that no less than Condé Nast had selected Ken’s Chinese as the best Chinese seafood in Vancouver.

Must mention the bill! Only $84 for four people, including THE crab and five beer…

THE MENU

Golden Dungeness Crab

• Golden Dungeness Crab – the signature dish of Ken’s Chinese in 2009, presented in a golden bean batter. The crab was flying off the plate before I even had time to take photos… Sandy, slow down with those chopsticks!

Zhu Jiang (Pearl River) Beer, a bit bland. Should have ordered Tsing Tsao.

Vermicelli Singapore-Style

• Singapore Noodle (spicy) – here called Vermicelli Singapore-Style. Nice levels of spice and generous with the prawns, especially for the price.

Dai Chien Chicken (Spicy)

• Dai Chien Chicken (Spicy) – similar to Kung Pao Chicken and very tasty.

• Sambal Green Beans –  a perennial favourite!