Ask a Richmond local for the best restaurant in the city and you will start an argument. Ask for the most underrated one and you will start a movement.
That is exactly what happened when someone posted a simple question on the r/richmondbc subreddit: what are the most underrated restaurants in Richmond? More than 100 comments later, the thread had turned into one of the most useful (and funniest) local food guides we have read all year. It had loyal regulars defending their favourite kebab platters, a heated debate about whether a famous sushi spot has slipped, and a long detour about a fast food restaurant that apparently draws people from the airport.
One commenter made a sharp point early on: Richmond is such a food destination that a good, cheap restaurant rarely stays under the radar for long. Word gets out. So “underrated” here does not mean unknown. It means the places locals feel deserve even more credit than they get. We read the whole thread so you do not have to, and pulled together the picks that came up again and again.
The Crowd Favourites Locals Keep Coming Back To
The most upvoted answer in the thread was short and confident: Afghan Chopan Bakery & Diner on No. 3 Road. A second commenter backed it up with an order to follow: the assorted kebab platter and the mantu dumplings. Another said the couple’s combo feeds two people for days, then admitted that every visit ends in a fight over the last bite of the ferni (a traditional milk pudding dessert) they swear they will share politely.
Close behind were Uncle Sals, praised for food and especially for staff, and Daddy’s Grill. One commenter could not get past the name, but the replies suggest plenty of people have, and keep returning. Lamajoun also came up more than once. It sits in a quiet industrial area that is easy to overlook, and one fan insisted the dumplings are worth the detour.
The Wendy’s Detour (Yes, Really)
Every good thread needs a tangent, and this one delivered. A commenter named the Wendy’s on No. 5 Road, noting that it is the only one on Lulu Island. Several replies confirmed that some people really do make a special trip. One person described themselves as a maniac who occasionally visits from the airport area just for Wendy’s.
Then came the joke that stole the thread: a made-up conversation on the YVR SkyTrain in which a stranger says they are headed to Chicago, and you reply that you are headed to Wendy’s. Another commenter admitted doing the same thing for Harvey’s back when YVR had one.
Is it underrated? Skeptics asked how it is better than any other Wendy’s, and nobody gave a convincing answer. But it is a perfect reminder that in Richmond, “underrated” is sometimes about the ritual, not the menu.
Hidden Food Court Gems
If you only eat at proper sit-down restaurants in Richmond, you are missing half the story. Food courts and mall stalls came up constantly, and this is where the thread got most specific.
- Parker Place Food Court: One commenter pointed to the Macau stall, mostly because it takes card. Another recommended Tak Fook Noodles and its BBQ duck noodles, quoted at $13 without a drink and $15 with one. A third added that the Chinese BBQ meat there is great.
- President’s Plaza Food Court: A newer stall that, according to one commenter, only has signs in Chinese. Look for it at the top of the stairs, second to last on the right. The commenter also reported a delighted stall owner when they paid with Alipay.
- Richmond Public Market: Xi’an Cuisine was recommended.
- Empire Centre: Xiang Flavour Iron Pot got a mention.
Looking for a full list of spots like these? Our Richmond food courts map is a good companion to this article.
Noodles, Dumplings, and Hot Pot
This was easily the strongest category in the thread, which will surprise no one who has eaten in Richmond.
Uno Beef Noodle on Blundell Road drew the longest conversation. One commenter noted that the line is already long enough without more people joining it. The practical advice: register through the restaurant’s website before heading out (around 30 minutes ahead), or arrive right when they open. Another local shared a smart trick that works almost everywhere in Richmond: eat between 5 and 6 pm, before the usual 7 pm East Asian dinner rush, and you will rarely wait.
There was also a useful debate about Tian Shi Fu. Several commenters pointed out that there are two locations with very different menus. The one near Walmart is a more traditional restaurant. The No. 3 Road one has a hole-in-the-wall feel and does a few dishes extremely well. People disagreed about which they prefer, so the safest move is to try both.
Other noodle and dumpling picks included:
- Yah Yah Ramen for decent, inexpensive ramen with no lines, according to one fan who prefers it to a more famous ramen spot in the Aberdeen area.
- Sanpoutei Ramen, reportedly open weekends only. One commenter said it showed as temporarily closed on Google, so check before you go.
- Typhoon, where the boiling pot was called worth it.
- Dumpling King at Terra Nova, praised for its pork chop with noodles.
- Chuan Xiang and the Xi’an Famous Food crispy burger also got shout-outs.
The Great Sushi Debate
Nothing in the thread was more lively than the argument over Banzai Sushi.
One detailed fan wrote a love letter to it: massive portions, good value, and very fresh salmon thanks to high turnover. They flagged that the tuna can occasionally be semi-frozen (you can mention it when ordering) and said they love the imitation crab and mayo mix and the generous masago on the chopped scallop. Their go-to order is a half house roll, the chopped scallop roll, a negitoro roll, and an appetizer sashimi of salmon and tuna.
The original poster pushed back, calling Banzai overrated now. Their complaint was that the rice has become tangy and the rolls are rice-heavy, so the flavour is very noticeable. Another commenter grumbled that takeout orders now come with a tip prompt.
Whichever side you take, the thread offered strong alternatives. The same fan recommended Sushi Lovers on Park Road for a slightly less casual experience with very good value. Honourable mentions went to Matsuyama for its late-night menu, Gami Sushi for spicy tuna and Alaska rolls, and Sushi Mura for its roll called Tune on Fire and a great ambiance-to-value ratio. All were described as budget-friendly.
Steveston and the Waterfront
Steveston earned a section of its own, and the picks here ranged from big breakfasts to Persian happy hours.
- Steveston Cafe: A commenter recommended the Steveston scramble at $20 (two eggs, two sausages, two bacon, and French toast or pancakes). A confusing sub-thread asked whether it had closed. The answer from locals was that the cafe is going strong after a change in management, and it was the nearby pub that closed. Hours may be shorter than before, so check ahead.
- Lavash: A great happy hour and excellent Persian dishes.
- Nyonya House: Described as some of the best Malaysian and Singaporean food in Richmond. Favourites included prawn mee, kuay teow, nasi goreng, and a milo dinosaur to drink. One diner noted that prices are the only reason they do not go more often.
- Kari House and the concession at Garry Point Park were both recommended, along with a cheaper ice cream shop across the street from the Steveston pier.
Tacos, Grills, and Everyday Comfort Food
Not every pick was a hidden secret, and several commenters were cheerfully honest about that. Taco Luis came with a note that it probably is not underrated, and Wasuta Pasta received a shrug about whether it is under or overrated. That honesty is part of why the thread is worth trusting.
Still, plenty of crowd-pleasers made the list:
- Don’s Tacos RC and Taco Luis for tacos.
- LA Grill in Blundell Plaza, praised for prices and portions (with one wistful request for fries).
- Chirpy Hut for chicken on No. 3 Road.
- Nobi Nobi for Japanese food with fresh vegetables and daily meat deliveries.
- Buddha Lounge, with a lunch buffet quoted at $18.50.
- Silver Tower, a Hong Kong-style diner one commenter has loved since childhood.
- Daan Korean Cuisine in Garden City.
- One Cafe Lansdowne, where one reply suggested the pound steak: a Japanese-style cheese hamburger steak served with unlimited soup and rice.
Quick Reference: Where to Go for What
| Craving | Spot | What locals suggest |
|---|---|---|
| Afghan feast | Afghan Chopan Bakery & Diner | Assorted kebab platter, mantu dumplings |
| Beef noodles | Uno Beef Noodle | Register online or arrive at opening |
| Cheap lunch | Tak Fook Noodles (Parker Place) | BBQ duck noodles, $13 to $15 |
| Sushi value | Banzai Sushi / Sushi Lovers | House roll, chopped scallop roll |
| Malaysian | Nyonya House (Steveston) | Prawn mee, nasi goreng |
| Persian happy hour | Lavash (Steveston) | Persian dishes at happy hour |
| Big breakfast | Steveston Cafe | Steveston scramble, $20 |
| Lunch buffet | Buddha Lounge | Lunch buffet, $18.50 |
How to Find Your Own Underrated Restaurant in Richmond
The thread was full of accidental advice. A few lessons worth stealing:
- Eat early. Dinner at 5 pm instead of 7 pm can turn a long wait into an immediate table.
- Check Google before you go. Several places in the thread were flagged as temporarily closed, on short hours, or open weekends only.
- Ask which location. Some Richmond restaurants share a name but not a menu.
- Look inside the malls. Food courts and plaza stalls hide some of the best value in the city.
- Bring a payment backup. Not every stall takes cards, and some prefer other payment apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most underrated restaurant in Richmond, BC?
Afghan Chopan Bakery & Diner earned the most upvotes in the thread, followed by Uncle Sals, Daddy’s Grill, and Lamajoun.
Where can I find cheap eats in Richmond?
Food courts such as Parker Place, President’s Plaza, and Richmond Public Market came up repeatedly, along with Tak Fook Noodles, Yah Yah Ramen, and LA Grill.
Is Banzai Sushi still worth visiting?
Opinions are split. Fans praise the portions, freshness, and value, while some regulars say the rice has changed. Sushi Lovers was suggested as a close alternative.
Final Thoughts
The most useful thing about this thread is that it shows how Richmond’s food scene actually works. The best meals are rarely in the spot with the biggest sign. They are in a quiet strip mall, up a flight of stairs in a food court, or on the one day of the week a ramen shop opens its doors.
Pick one place from this list, go at 5 pm, order what the regulars recommend, and tell us what you find. If you have your own underrated Richmond favourite, we would love to feature it.
Menu items, prices, and hours were shared by commenters on Reddit and may have changed. Always confirm with the restaurant before you go.