Chinese Winter Soltice at Chinatown BBQ honouring the Dongzhi Festival
In celebration of the upcoming Dongzhi (Winter Solstice) Festival, Chinatown BBQ is hosting a special pop-up with chef William Lew of Pacific Reach on December 9, 2024. For one day only, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., guests can feast on two exclusive Chinatown BBQ Dongzhi Festival tasting menus, for lunch or dinner, thoughtfully curated to honour the traditions of family, warmth, and heritage. Highlights include salted egg yolk pork belly, BBQ lamb ribs, fresh local seafood, and tang yuan — a classic Chinese dessert of glutinous rice balls, symbolizing unity and harmony. Tickets are available now online.
Each ticket includes a complimentary pass to the Chinatown Storytelling Centre and 10 percent discount at its gift shop, Foo Hung Curios.
“The Chinese Winter Solstice is usually a time for families to come together to celebrate the shortest day and longest night of the year through a feast of nourishing foods,” says Jason Ye, general manager, Chinatown BBQ. “We wanted to bring this tradition to Chinatown BBQ and invite people to visit Vancouver Chinatown for their celebrations. We thank chef William Lew and all the amazing producers, fisherfolk, artisans, and suppliers who are making this special event possible.”
Chinatown BBQ was founded by Order of Canada recipient Carol Lee, who is also chair of Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. With a deep commitment to fostering connection and community, Lee hopes to inspire people to visit and engage with Vancouver Chinatown through the creation of unique events and initiatives within the food and beverage industry.
The Chinatown BBQ Dongzhi Festival tasting menu features six dishes at lunch ($39++ per person) and nine dishes at dinner ($58++ per person). The dishes include:
Fanny Bay Oysters
MAMA in the Kitchen Curry Street Food Chili Torched Motoyaki, Scallions, Salted Egg Yolk Crumb, Trout Caviar
Five Spice BBQ Roast Duck Tartlet
Osmanthus Flower Gel, Chinatown BBQ House Hoisin, Hawthorn, Sweet Soy Glaze, Pickled Radish, Micro Cilantro
Salted Egg Yolk Crusted Pork Belly
Chinese Sour Plum Spiced Honey Glaze, Shrimp Garlic Chili Crisp, Fried Vermicelli, Seaweed
BBQ Lamb Ribs
Dinner only
Red Chili Fermented Tofu Crust, Kaffir lime leaves, Scallions, Bean Curd, Fried Cauliflower Mushrooms, Pickled Daikon, Water Chestnut, Bamboo, Star Anise Ginger Soy Reduction
XO Sablefish and Crab Kelp Wrap
Dinner only
Ginger Scallion Sauce, Shiitake Mushrooms, Superior Stock
Ocean Wise Seafood Fried Rice
Uni, Smoked Salmon, Pink Swimming Scallops, Halibut, Prawns, Eggs, Scallions, Ginger, Celtuse, BC Kelp, Lap Cheong
Gai Lan
Shrimp Garlic Chili Oil, Smoked Oyster Sauce
Black Sesame and Red Bean Financier
Dinner only
White Chocolate Ganache, Gold Flakes
Maple Tang Yuan
Pine Nuts, Walnuts, Candied Jujube, Spruce Tip and Goji Berry Ginger Soup
“Our aim was to honour the cultural significance and traditional ingredients, such as pork, lamb, and glutinous rice balls, of the Dongzhi Festival, while incorporating a contemporary West Coast and Canadian perspective,” explains Lew, who is currently director, Food & Beverage Division, Pacific Reach. “By celebrating local, sustainable ingredients through the lens of a Chinese Canadian chef, we hope to contribute to the revitalization of our beloved Chinatown.”
Lew is working with the following small businesses, vendors and producers to support the Chinatown BBQ Dongzhi Festival Pop-Up: MAMA in the Kitchen, Gastronomer’s Garden/ Misebloom, Hook & Herd, Kenji Seafood Distributors, Fanny Bay Oysters, Golden Eagle Sablefish, Donald’s Fine Foods, Legends Haul, Hamadaya Sauces, Oyster and King, and West Coast Wild Scallops.
Chinatown BBQ Dongzhi Festival Pop-Up
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Lunch: $39++ per person with three seatings, 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Dinner: $58++ per person with two seatings, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets: Available online via EventBrite
For more information, please visit www.chinatownbbq.com.
About Chinatown BBQ
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, Chinatown BBQ is known for its delicious barbecued meats and award-winning beef brisket curry. The restaurant’s chefs are expertly trained in traditional Chinese cooking styles and techniques, ensuring an authentic dining experience. Situated on East Pender Street, Chinatown BBQ offers a relaxed atmosphere where guests can enjoy affordable and flavourful dishes rooted in Chinese culinary traditions.
Chinatown BBQ, 130 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC
Instagram: @chinatownbbq | www.chinatownbbq.com
