Vegan food find: Dim sum at 3G Vegetarian Restaurant in Vancouver

As far as lazy weekend activities go, nothing beats going for yum cha (Cantonese midday tea) and eating gluttonous amounts of dim sum. At most Chinese restaurants, the savoury and sweet food on the small plates and steamer baskets is heavy on the meat and seafood. However, there are a few eateries in Vancouver that serve veggie dim sum.

3G Vegetarian Restaurant (3424 Cambie Street) is one of them. This vegan-friendly spot lies in the Cambie Village, walking distance from both Broadway-City Hall Station and King Edward Station on the Canada Line.

On 3G’s all-day dim sum menu, you’ll find “exquisite” vegan versions of popular items such as har gow (steamed shrimp dumpling), shui mai (pork dumpling), cha siu bao (barbecued pork bun), and—my favourite—lo bak go (daikon cake). Unfortunately, I have yet to encounter a soy-milk-based facsimile of dan tat (egg or milk tart) anywhere.

Each of the 22 dishes on the menu—and I haven’t met one I didn’t like—costs $3.50. You place your order by writing a number beside the name of every item you want to eat. I find six items is enough for two people, but often make the mistake of ordering more.

3G is open seven days a week between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.

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