As someone who loves trying new foods, I’ve been to many dining festivals. But the Feast Asian Dining Festival in Richmond, BC, really stands out. It started in 2018 and grew bigger in 2019, quickly becoming a highlight of Metro Vancouver’s food scene. This event isn’t just another food festival – it shows off Richmond as a top spot for great Asian food in North America. Let me tell you why this festival is worth your time.
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Feast 2018 – The Beginning of a New Food Tradition
The event started in 2018 with a mission to show off Richmond’s amazing food scene. The first Feast Asian Dining Festival ran from October 12 to October 21, 2018. Its goal was to show off the best Asian restaurants in Metro Vancouver. In its first year, 24 restaurants took part, serving Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Korean food.
The 2018 event got people excited. Food lovers came to Richmond to try special menus and signature dishes. The success of this first festival set the stage for an even bigger event the next year.
Feast 2019: More Food, More Choices
Building on the success of 2018, the 2019 Feast Asian Dining Festival grew a lot. It ran from October 18 to November 18, with over 30 restaurants taking part. This time, they added Filipino, Persian, and Vietnamese food to the mix.
The 2019 event became a must-visit for food lovers. Restaurants all over Richmond offered special menus at set prices. This gave people a whole month to explore the city’s varied Asian food scene.
How the Festival Worked
Both years followed a similar plan:
- Special menus: Restaurants created unique menus showing off their best dishes.
- Family-style dining: Many places offered big portions meant for sharing, perfect for groups wanting to try lots of different foods.
- Festival specials: Some restaurants made new dishes just for the event, adding something extra for visitors.
One great thing about the festival was that they advertised in many languages. This helped make sure that different communities across Metro Vancouver could join in and enjoy the food.
Restaurants That Took Part
The festival had a wide range of restaurants. Here’s a list of all 34 that took part in 2019:
- Anar Persian Cuisine
- Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle
- Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant
- Clubone Cafe
- Continental Seafood Restaurant
- Danny’s Wuntun Restaurant
- Ember Indian Kitchen
- Ginger Indian Cuisine
- Gingeri Chinese Cuisine
- Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant
- HotPot Palace
- Ichiro Japanese Restaurant
- Jade Seafood Restaurant
- JiangHu Taiwanese Pot & Wok Cuisines
- Kanpeki Teppanyaki Restaurant
- Kisha Poppo
- Kumare Restaurant and Bakery
- Liuyishou Hotpot
- Meetrice Noodle
- MICHA Richmond
- Mr. Bro Korean Bistro & Izakaya
- Ora Sushi
- Pokey Okey
- Ramen Takanotsume
- Shanghai Wonderful Restaurant
- Shiang Garden Seafood Restaurant
- SuHang Restaurant
- Tandoori Kona Restaurant
- Tin Tin Seafood Harbour
- Toku Japanese Restaurant
- Westcoast Poke
- Xyclo Bistro
- Yokohama Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar
- Yuu Japanese Tapas
These restaurants offered Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean, Filipino, Persian, and Vietnamese food. As someone who went to both years, I can say that the variety was really exciting. One standout for me was the hot pot at Liuyishou Hot Pot – it was perfect for a cool autumn evening.
How Restaurants Joined In
Restaurants could choose from two ways to join the festival:
Basic Package ($488):
- Their name in the event guide and on the website
- Printed menu cards and signs
- A session to learn marketing tips
Advanced Package ($788):
- Everything in the Basic Package
- Their logo on festival ads
- Special features on social media and in articles
These packages helped restaurants get more noticed and bring in new customers. It was good for both the restaurants and the people eating there.
What Restaurants Got Out of It
Restaurants that took part saw several benefits:
- More customers: The festival brought in food lovers from all over Metro Vancouver.
- A chance to show off: Restaurants could highlight their best dishes to more people.
- Free advertising: The festival’s ads in many languages gave them valuable publicity.
What’s Happening with the Festival Now
Sadly, like many events, the Feast Asian Dining Festival hit a snag in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic meant it had to be cancelled. As of the last update, we’re not sure if it will come back. The festival’s website isn’t working anymore, so we’re left wondering if it will return.
Even though it’s on hold, the Feast Asian Dining Festival made a big impact on Richmond’s food scene. It shone a light on the city’s diverse Asian food and helped create lasting connections between restaurants and food lovers.
Alternative Asian Food Festivals
While the Feast Asian Dining Festival is currently on hold, there are other exciting Asian food festivals across Canada that food enthusiasts can explore:
Taste of Asia (Markham, Ontario)
Taste of Asia is a big outdoor festival that happens every year in Markham, Ontario, usually in late June. It’s known as North America’s largest outdoor Asian festival, drawing over 300,000 visitors. The event runs for three days and features more than 150 food vendors serving all kinds of Asian food.
Besides eating, you can enjoy cultural performances, listen to guest speakers, and have fun with family-friendly activities. The Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham organizes this event with help from the City of Markham. It’s easy to get to, located near Kennedy and Steeles, close to Pacific Mall.
Taste Asia (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
If you’re in Atlantic Canada, check out Taste Asia in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This four-day festival happens in May at Foundation Wharf. It’s a bit smaller than the Markham event, with about 30 food vendors, but it still offers a wide range of Asian cuisines. What’s cool about this festival is that it has cooking demonstrations and games you can join in.
They’ve also gone high-tech with a cashless payment system – you use a special digital card for all your purchases. Part of the money they make goes to help local food banks, which is pretty neat.
AsialiciousTO (Toronto, Ontario)
AsialiciousTO is different from the other festivals because it’s spread out all over Toronto. It usually happens in September and involves more than 100 restaurants across the city. Each place offers special menus at set prices – $10, $20, $30, or $40. This festival started in 2020 to help Asian restaurants during the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Federation of Asian Canadians Toronto (FACT) runs this event, and the City of Toronto supports it. The highlight is a three-day carnival at Woodside Square in Scarborough, where you can try street food, watch performances, and even see fireworks.
Tips for Attending Dining Festivals
If you’re thinking about attending a dining festival like this, here are some practical tips that can help you make the most of your experience:
- Plan Ahead: Dining festivals can get busy, so it’s always a good idea to make reservations in advance. Check the festival’s website or promotional materials to find out which restaurants are participating and what special menus they’re offering.
- Dine with a Group: Many restaurants offer family-style dining options, which are perfect for sharing. Going with friends or family allows you to try more dishes without over-ordering.
- Try Something New: Festivals are a great opportunity to explore dishes or cuisines you might not normally order. Be adventurous and step outside your comfort zone – you might discover a new favourite.
- Look for Deals: Many festivals offer special pricing for set menus or exclusive dishes. Take advantage of these offers to get the best value for your money.
While we wait to see if the Feast Asian Dining Festival comes back, there are other great Asian food events to try across Canada. You can visit the big outdoor festival in Markham, join the city-wide celebration in Toronto, or check out the friendly event in Halifax. There’s something fun for everyone who loves food. So, keep looking for these festivals and others like them near you. Remember, whether you’re in Richmond, Toronto, Markham, or Halifax, you can enjoy great Asian food any day. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see the Feast Asian Dining Festival come back one day. Until then, have fun trying new foods and exploring.