Imperial City Bistro

Reviews

• Mimi Y.

  star star star star star_border 10 June 2026

  We came for a family celebration as they're well known for their Peking duck. It was pricey at $88.80 but comparable to other restaurants. The duck was delicious and came with green onion (that lacked the hit of fresh green onion), cucumber, and hoisin sauce. The crepes, 12 in all, were very hot to handle (and I prefer the crepes we use at home to make spring rolls personally) and hardened quickly when cooled so you have to eat quickly. The duck itself had the signature crispy skin and tender meat with a small additional pile of crispy skin at the centre of the plate. They also give you the rest of the duck (mostly bones) with the option of being fried or stewed for a soup; we chose fried. They were very well done with that charred flavour.
  
  We also got xiao long baos, a stir fried rice cake (also with that delicious charred flavour), and a Chinese donut with porridge.
  
  It was by far the best Chinese donut I've ever had! It had the crispy exterior of a Taiwanese you tiao (which my family prefers) but the soft bready texture of a Cantonese style you tiao (which I personally prefer)! It was also huge. I would go back just for the you tiao.

• Debbie W.

  star star star star star 8 June 2026

  This is a really nice family owned Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood. It is in the corner of Tara Nova plaza, along with other local shops. Parking is pretty good, just share with other stores.
  
  I discovered it had the best Chinese donut I've ever had! It's freshly fried and super crispy! They pair them with a bowl of corn soup or warm soy milk. We also ordered some pan fried pork bun with some sesame on the bottom. It's crunchy on the outside, with soft stuffing inside. The fried rice with scallops and eggs is pretty tasty too, and I can tell they used the rice amount of salt and no msg in it. The stir fry pork belly with pepper and veggies is on the spicy side, which is perfect to serve with rice.
  
  The price of the food is affordable, and reasonable. Staff is very friendly, highchairs are available for babies and kids. Overall we had a really good experience, and will go back for sure!

• Lauren L.

  star star star star_border star_border 2 June 2026

  I'm always giving places good reviews and the last review I wrote here was good.  Not this time.  It wasn't just me but more like our groups decision.
  
  If you can't speak Chinese, it will be difficult to eat here.  And they probably prefer that too!  Not trying to say too many negative things here, but it is hard to get good service if they don't understand you.  This is Canada after all.  If you can get past that language barrier, it isn't so bad.  Unfortunately for me, I ended up bringing diners that are sceptical.  You can't enjoy a meal with sceptical diners.  So to no fault of the restaurant.  I must say the food on average is a good 3 star review.  If you spoke Mandarin, a four star review.  
  
  It doesn't stack up to how I remember the food was.  Then again competition in the Shanghai and Beijing category is very tough these days.  Peking duck is their specialty they say.  We didn't get that unfortunately.  Should have.
  
  I'll let the picture speak for themselves.
  
  The XLB dumplings had no soup in them. 2 stars
  
  Wuxi ribs were good.  3.5 stars
  
  The panfried dumplings with soup inside didn't have soup either, 2 stars, but then again the Dough was so light and fluffy.... Ok 3 stars.  I had more than my share of them which means I liked them.
  
  Farmers tofu. First comment from one of my sceptical diners was. Ooh I don't eat cold tofu.  LOL.  Ok sorry. But I like this dish.  They tried it and hey not so bad.
  3 stars.
  
  They forgot the bowls of rice and forgot the ma po tofu. Here it was likely a translational issue or I looked like a freak and they were too scared to take my order.... Properly... When we reordered it after trying to get someone who understood my imperfect English ( actually, it's impeccable, my accent, very Canadian eh?). It was decent. 3 stars.  Still looking for that perfect ma po tofu.  
  
  The fish in wine sauce was a bit too starchy, again good, but there are better.  2.5 stars.  
  
  I'm sure if I brought my friend Grace here she would have whipped up an order in no time flat with all the right flavours and perfect service.  
  
  I guess "when in Rome" doesn't mean what it's supposed to be.  This is Richmond after all.  The land of really really really bad drivers and Chinese only signage and "sorry no speaking English"   I don't thing I'll return.  If I do, it will be with people who appreciate the food like I would and no qualms about ordering reservedly.  I'd bring Grace or Jen or someone who can translate for me.
  
  Sorry Imperial, I wanted it to be better.

• Lynn T.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 1 June 2026

  I'm more than disappointed at this place. I usually don't like to give rating especially if it is a negative one. BUT, I really have to warn people especially coming from out of town trying to have an authentic experience, we were all hungry arriving at the restaurant, than we had reserved a duck cooked in two ways. The duck came out in a medium size plate with a very sad color and fewer pieces than appropriate. The skin were scattered in the same plate also looked and tasted like a reheat dish. Additionally, for 78.99, there were scarcely any onions, cucumbers were cut in big chunks also served in a tiny dish. The only decent part was the pancakes which was tolerated by hungry family, considering everything else. Being in such poor traits. The hot and sour soup was a joke, not sour nor with any spice.  We reluctantly left a tip which neither the food nor the service deserved.

• 啟轩

  star star star star_border star_border 28 May 2026

  The food delivery is fast, Roast duck is ok. The waitress does not even know how the duck was cooked, so I doubt if the ducks are cooked in the store.