I was stunned to learn from a kind stranger that Hons has shut it’s doors in Richmond. After all, Richmond is truly the “Asia” of British Columbia, and what is “Asia” without ‘affordable’, greasy and questionable chain Chinese restaurant? But for the better anyway – Eli and I saw Hons Coquitlam take trash through the restaurant whilst we waited for our take-out. Eli and my sister had runny stomachs after dinner that night.

Our kind stranger at Mini Richmond suggested we try out No. 9 Restaurant at Lansdowne Mall, 15 minutes away.

I panicked a little when I saw “Lansdowne Shopping Centre” instead of “Lansdowne Mall”. My navigation skills are questionable enough as it is, no need to frustrate Eli further! Thankfully the huge No. 9 Restaurant sign came up shortly.

The menu was extensive! I had a challenging time narrowing it down. Eventually, I went with sliced beef hor fun, which came with a complimentary beverage. Eli had peppers and chicken chow mien.

I brought out my camera specifically to capture the food, but got so excited by the sight of oily food that I forgot. Plus we were really starving.

Food presentation was regular. Nothing to yell about. But the taste. Oh, the taste was flavourful. But so oily.

I thought chow mien would be noodles stir-fry, but it wasn’t. Instead it was “raw noodles” (shen mien). The crispy ones you soak in sauce to soften. It wasn’t bad, but peppers in there isn’t my top choice.

The bill came up to about $20 and we almost couldn’t pay for it. This restaurant accepts only cash. Thankfully Eli had uncharacteristically withdrawn some cash in preparation for his intended haircut earlier in the day. Eli didn’t get to cut his hair and the waitress did not get her tip.

I don’t know why we’ve been eating out so much particularly now that the dreaded HST is in effect. We are paying more taxes to the government, not receiving or enjoying any benefits, and not seeing any reduction in personal tax.

The food at No. 9 Restaurant is great though. Just don’t eat it too often because the way the noodles slip from your chopsticks and down your throat doesn’t sit too well with your arteries.

Eli must have liked the place enough because he said we can bring my parents there the next time they’re in town. And my Mediterranean man is very particular about his food (he avoids Hons like plague).

No. 9 Restaurant
Lansdowne Shopping Centre
5300 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC
Canada
Tel: 1.604.278.7700
Opens 24hours