The day is cold and rainy as our small group of friends waddle down the Chinatown streets for the promise of warm, satisfying soup dumplings. The onslaught of Canadian rain has worn us down to be tired, hungry, and in need of a good rest. Luckily for us, Qing Hua had all of the above and so much more. Qing Hua is less of a place where you would go to hang out often to get work done and much more the hot spot to grab a reasonably priced, ridiculously delicious meal on your lunch hour. The number of business people who were there for lunchtime was a little comical, to say the least. However, after eating the food there I can absolutely understand why this place was such a hit with people who are a little short on time. The steamed soup dumplings came out in no time and were piping hot. The whole group intentionally all got a different plate of dumplings so we could all try as many as possible on the menu. This is definitely the ideal mode of eating at this place. Get a group of friends together, each order something different, and share each kind thanksgiving pass around style. Between the prices and incredible taste of the food, this place cannot be beaten. I think our group going on such a rainy day actually added to the experience as it made the warm, savory flavors of the dumplings feel and taste that much better. If your feeling cold all the way down to the bone get yourself some lovely soup dumplings. They will be sure to warm your body, mind, and soul.
I had never even heard of soup dumplings before coming to Montreal. The food diversity back where I’m from in Pennsylvania is next to non-existent if I’m completely honest. Most of the Chinese food restaurants back home Americanize their food so it appeals to the people in the surrounding area. It is not necessarily a bad thing to appeal to the demographic around you, but it does take a genuine authentic layer out of the food being served. I’m not sure how good a place like Qing Hua would do back home. There are not any places serving “authentic” cultural food. I think it is because not too many small town people are willing to take too many steps outside their proverbial food boxes. For example, when foods even get remotely spicy they have a tendency to back down from the flavor challenge. Soup dumplings served in a Bamboo steamer at a place called Qing Hua? Too much sensory information for the unfamiliar. However, regardless of how I think those from my hometown would feel about Qing Hua it was a delightful new food experience for myself. I would absolutely go back to Qing Hua. Alone or with friends the restaurant is a great buy, experience, and overall very tasty.