In downtown Richmond the Golden Village is the centre of the Asian community. The modern, sleet Aberdeen Mall is the centre of the Golden Village. From east to west the Golden Village is from No. 3 Rd., to Gilbert Rd. The northern boundary would be Cambie Rd., and to the south, Alderbridge Way.

In between are more malls and Food Street (Alexandra Rd.), a small 3 block road with over 300 restaurants and food shops.

Aberdeen Centre is a have-to-go-there destination in Richmond. A traditional mall by all descriptions yet with totally Asian content. The centre fountain is spectacular and periodically plays waterworks to dramatic operatic music. I dropped by the Ten Fu Tea & Ginsing for a lesson in tea but soon realized I had much more to learn. I left with a good supply of high quality Matcha for home.

The food court is large with representation from every Asian culture plus a few Canadianized versions. For example, I’m guessing the worlds best cream puff (an ice cream and pastry bar) didn’t get its creative ideas from the far East.

You can eat Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Korean, Cantonese, Shangainese, Taiwanese and of course, Asian/Western fusion. They serve up dumplings, noodles, pastries, tempura, soups, tofu, stone pot rice, flavourful congee, wonton and steamed buns next to gourmet burgers, fries, chicken wings and milkshakes.

The Golden Village could easily take you a day to explore and when you’re exhausted, drop by one of the many beauty spas and massage parlours and get a foot reflexology treatment or massage. Most places are drop-in (although appointments are appreciated), prices are reasonable and the results invigorating.

When evening rolls around it’s time to head to Food Street to find a restaurant for dinner. Travel and food writer friend Carolyn Heller and I met at Jang Mo Jib Korean Restaurant in the centre of Food Street. We settled in with a cup of delicious barley tea and this is the rest.

Doe Jee Bo Ssahm: Cooked, sliced port tenderloin and belly, served with Chinese cabbage to wrap, homemade sauces to dip and special Bo Ssahm Kimchee with oysters (23.00).

Dahg Bool Go Gee: Korean Traditional stir-fried chicken meat and vegetables in spicy house special BBQ sauce (15.00).

Mool Naeng Myun: Korean traditional icy cold, chewy noodle in house special soup ($10.00).

For more on dining in Richmond, read Lindsay Anderson’s blog, 365DaysofDining.

For more on shopping in Richmond, click here.

For more pictures, click here.