Bravo to Alvin Garden in Burnaby (and a Lao Shan Dong Bonus)

With all of my reports on Vancouver and Richmond, I’ve been remiss in reporting about one of my favorite restaurants in the area: Alvin Garden in Burnaby. This Hunanese restaurant is for serious spice lovers; I’ve learned not to take chili pepper-fearing friends who’ve threatened to end our friendship. (It’s not like I sabotaged them to go!) The spiciness makes me salivate, pulling me in. Or maybe it’s because Alvin Garden satisfies my love of offal? Some dishes I’ve enjoyed and recommend:

Alvin Garden’s spicy pork ears

“Pork heart with five spices”

Pork tripe with leek flower

Stir-fried garlic bolt with Hunan smoked pork

Lamb with pickled green chili at Alvin Garden

Also in Burnaby is a little restaurant with a mission: Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodle House. As a fan of beef noodle soup, I was anxious to give this place a try, comparing their version to Chef Hung’s and the one I make at home. It’s a very good noodle soup, slightly sweeter than Chef Hung’s. I prefer Chef Hung’s thicker noodles and broth very more depth of flavor, but wouldn’t hesitate to return—if I can’t get into Alvin Garden.

Braised beef flank and tendon with noodle in soup

“Spicy sour mustard” (to which my server asked, “Do you really want that?”)