Golden Swan Restaurant
5380 Victoria Drive
Vancouver, BC
As a sort of follow-up of yesterday’s post, after coming back from Panama, it was time to start calling people around and give them some goodies I brought from this trip. Among them, it was Elaine of Parker Pages. Let’s just say there are some wacky connections between the two of us aside from the (not necessarily) obvious ones. Originally, I was going to meet Elaine and Chris at their place; however, Elaine suggested we meet at Golden Swan instead. Hey, I am always good for food!
This seems to be one of Elaine’s favourite dim sum place so there were some expectations behind it. Among its “high” notes is the fact this is a push-cart dim sum restaurant, what seems to be a dying breed here in Vancouver. Now, there are both pros and cons for this approach. On one side, it is more accessible to people who might not write/read Chinese. Sure, a lot of dim sum restaurants might include both English and Chinese slips for your order but, a lot of times, there seems to be something lost in translation and you might end up ordering the “wrong” thing. On the flip side, in the case of carts, the dishes might not be at its optimum by the time you pick it (as it might be doing rounds for a while), not to mention, if you are in one of the tables on the far side, the dish you might have been taken away by then. Anyway, I was going to find out how things are here.
Taro dumpling
Siu mai, pork dumpling
Spare ribs
Stuffed eggplants
Tripe
Youtiao stuffed rice roll
Since it was only three of us, we only ordered that much. Furthermore, we (actually, it was mostly Chris and me) engaged into some wacky discussion that kept us quite busy. However, during this time, we noticed one thing that might be annoying in the case of push carts: they *really* push you to order a dish, even if you have told them you are not interested.
As for the food itself, I will have to say they are quite good (but, then again, the fact I had subpar to Vancouver standard a week prior might have something to do). In some cases, some of the dishes were gone by the time it got to our table and had to wait for the next cart. As for price, well, I can’t say. Because of the souvenirs I brought (including something I hope Elaine and Chris will use), Elaine just grabbed the bill and paid for it (in a quasi Chinese way). So, Elaine, Chris, thanks! As for the restaurant itself, I think it is a good option and see no reason why I shouldn’t come back. Now, if I can have a larger party to sample more dishes… 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
For me, the pushy cart ladies annoy me. But not as much as Po King’s crazy owner lady.
i’m scared to eat dim sum now that i know they like to sneak pork fat into unsuspecting dishes. eek!
Sherman, at least, if they can’t easily reach the slip, they know there is no chance they will push a dish to you. However, the dragon lady is another completely different beast!
Trisha, fat tastes good….
Or, you can try vegetarian dim sum. Alas, I can’t suggest/recommend anyone as I haven’t been to any. Suggestions, Sherman?
I haven’t been to any vegetarian dim sum joints but… I think someone went to 3G lately and liked it.
Glad you enjoyed it Kim! It was my pleasure to treat you to dim sum
I always go to Golden Swan. It’s kind of a tradition with my parents. We always have good food there. It’s very reasonable, too. For about twelve bucks each you can roll out of there.
Darina, there are some other dim sum shops in Kingsway, like The Roc; however, because they are low profile, they do not necessarily catch people’s attention. But, agreed, $12 per person, try to beat that in a brunch!
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