Yu Xiang Yuan - Hidden Gem Restaurant in Vancouver?

Let's eat some Chinese food. We were craving some regional cuisine so we went to Yu Xiang Yuan, which is often regarded as a 'hidden gem' serving Sichuan style food in the South Fraser neighbourhood. We ordered two entrees and an appetizer to split between the three of us. 

This part of Vancouver is quite a busy commercial area, with easy access to Langara and Metrotown. Lots of grocery stores, banks, and medical offices. Easily walkable with lots of ethnic cuisine like the Korean, Vietnamese, and Indian cuisines. Popular restaurants include Hyderabadi (Indian food), Deer Garden (soup noodles), Sal Y Limon (which recently opened), and Ho Yuen Kee restaurant, which is packed on weekends. Breka is also a popular option for those studying late at night, as they are open 24/7.

We ordered a beef roll for appetizer, #6 black pepper beef with hand pulled noodles, and #98 fried pork strips with beijing sweet sauce. We also ordered a bowl of rice and some steamed crepes to eat with the pork strips. 

Our favourite dish was hands down the noodles. Bouncy, chewy, and perfectly cooked. There was a little bit too much black pepper but otherwise this was a flavourful dish. The beef roll was a typical, standard roll and the pork strips were also a basic fare for a dine-in at a Chinese restaurant - they didn't stand out. We felt that these two dishes were more generic - they were well executed and serviceable, but didn't have that wow factor (they didn't really leave an impression). But the noodles were remarkable. 



Hits:

  • Fresh hand pulled noodles are fantastic
  • Prices are reasonable, including the lunch specials at around $15
  • No-frills dining; a cozy neighbourhood spot

Misses:

  • Cleanliness can be improved (especially the washroom)
  • Non-noodle dishes seemed like standard fare; good if you're hungry but not something that's "wow" factor
Rating 4/5 - The noodle dishes were fantastic; come and eat those. Other reviews have said that the dumplings are also good. We might try those next time or the lunch specials. 

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