The Chinese Restaurant Awards has released its inaugural Elite 30 Canada list, ranking the best Chinese restaurants across the country. This marks the first time in the awards' 16-year history that the Vancouver-based organization has evaluated restaurants on a national scale. Dynasty Seafood Restaurant in Vancouver earned the top spot for its refined Cantonese cuisine. Established in 2009, the restaurant is recognized for its craftsmanship and consistency. Executive chef Cao Can Hui and dim sum head chef Garley Leung, who was named Dim Sum Chef of the Year, lead the kitchen. Recommended dishes include braised napa cabbage stuffed with Buddha feast, braised and grilled duck with mushrooms, and the signature baked lemon barbecued pork pastry. Chang’An, also in Vancouver, secured the second position for its Shaanxi dishes, featuring a standout twice-cooked rack of lamb, roasted duck, and stir-fried lychee prawns with sweet, sour, and spicy sauces. Executive chef Leo Wang, originally from Sichuan, honed his culinary skills over a decade in Xi’an. He is noted for his technical mastery and respect for northern China's culinary traditions. Flavourful House in Richmond Hill, Ontario, ranked third for chef Samuel Su Wei-jian’s Cantonese cooking, which includes eight treasure winter melon soup with sea conch and chicken wings stuffed with minced shrimp. Su, who was named Master Chef of the Year, transitioned from a car mechanic to a chef, teaching himself traditional cooking techniques. The awards describe his food as deeply honest, with each dish telling a story of humble origins and skill. The top five is rounded out by Landmark Hotpot House in Vancouver and Mott 32, an international chain with locations in Toronto and Vancouver. The list features a total of 30 restaurants, with 18 located in British Columbia. Vancouver has seven restaurants on the list, excluding Mott 32, while Richmond has 11. Ontario follows with 10 restaurants, including four in Toronto and three in Richmond Hill. Two restaurants, including Oncle Lee Kǎo in Montreal, are also recognized. Rae Kung, managing director of the Chinese Restaurant Awards, expressed excitement about the new ranking. "There is so much talent and such a diverse range of Chinese cuisines across the country — it felt like the right time to create a dedicated list that truly celebrates this culinary richness," she stated. Lee Man, vice president of the awards, led a panel of 15 taste advisors who curated the list. He emphasized that the advisors possess deep knowledge of Chinese cuisine, understanding its flavors and history. The Chinese Restaurant Awards, founded in 2008 by food and wine expert Stephen Wong and current president Craig Stowe, began as a guide for signature dishes and has since expanded to include restaurants across Canada and Asia. The organization focuses on the quality of food rather than the ambiance of dining spaces. The complete Elite 30 Canada list includes: 1. Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, Vancouver 2. Chang’An, Vancouver 3. Flavourful House, Richmond Hill, Ont. 4. Landmark Hotpot House, Vancouver 5. Mott 32, Vancouver and Toronto 6. Sea Harbour Restaurant, Richmond, B.C. 7. Jumbo Lobster Restaurant, Richmond Hill, Ont. 8. Bamboo Grove Restaurant, Richmond, B.C. 9. The Fish Man, Richmond, B.C. 10. aKin, Toronto 11. Jiangnan Wok, Richmond, B.C. 12. MIMI Chinese, Toronto 13. R&D, Toronto 14. Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant, Richmond, B.C. 15. iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House, Vancouver 16. Fishman Lobster Clubhouse Restaurant, Scarborough, Ont. 17. Miss Qu Barbecue & Restaurant, Markham and Scarborough, Ont. 18. Din Tai Fung, Vancouver 19. Osmanthus Chinese Fusion Restaurant, Richmond, B.C. 20. Max Noodle House, Richmond, B.C. 21. Lanxuan Restaurant, Richmond, B.C. 22. The Jade Seafood Restaurant, Richmond, B.C. 23. Nian Yi Kuai Zi, Markham and Scarborough, Ont. 24. Oncle Lee Kǎo, Montreal 25. Kalvin’s Szechuan Restaurant, Vancouver 26. Loon Fong Hot Pot, Richmond Hill, Ont. 27. Xi’An Flavour, Richmond, B.C. 28. Chinatown BBQ, Vancouver 29. HK BBQ Master, Richmond, B.C. 30. Nouilles de Lan Zhou, Montreal.