Happy Valley Food City: A Hong Kong-Style Culinary Experience
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Burnaby, Happy Valley Food City is a name that keeps coming up. Located at 3860 Lougheed Highway, this restaurant has become a local favorite for fans of Hong Kong-style cuisine. What sets it apart is the blend of café culture, dim sum tradition, and BBQ flavors all under one roof. In this article, you’ll learn what makes this place special, when to visit, what to order, and why it’s getting such rave reviews across Vancouver.
What Is Happy Valley Food City?
Happy Valley Food City is a Hong Kong-style restaurant that combines different dining styles in one location. During the day, you’ll find a full tea café experience, often referred to as a cha chaan teng. In the late morning, dim sum becomes available. By the evening, the place transforms into a seafood and BBQ hotspot with skewers, beers, and cocktails.
What makes Happy Valley Food City stand out is its all-day service model. You can come in the morning for a Hong Kong breakfast and return later for dumplings or grilled seafood. It’s like three restaurants in one, without ever having to leave the building.
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Location and Hours
You can find Happy Valley Food City near the intersection of Lougheed Highway and Boundary Road in Burnaby. It’s a central spot with free parking, which is rare in that busy area.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 3860 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby, BC |
| Hours | 8 AM – 12 AM daily |
| Dim Sum Timing | 9:30 AM – 3 PM |
| BBQ/Seafood Timing | Starts from 5 PM |
| Services | Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery |
This flexible timing makes it easy for people to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner based on their schedule.
Inside the Restaurant
When you enter Happy Valley Food City, the first thing you notice is the variety of seating areas. The restaurant is divided into different zones depending on what you order. If you’re here for dim sum, you’ll be guided to the section with round tables and tea pots. If you order café dishes like macaroni soup or baked pork chop rice, you’ll sit in the diner-style booths. And for evening BBQ dishes, the restaurant shifts to a more laid-back bar environment.
This unique layout ensures that the vibe fits the food. You don’t have to feel rushed or out of place, no matter what time of day it is.
The Hong Kong-Style Café Menu
In the morning and early afternoon, Happy Valley Food City serves up classic HK café dishes. These meals are known for being hearty, flavorful, and affordable. Common ingredients include ham, eggs, instant noodles, buns, and milk tea.
A typical HK-style breakfast here may include:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Macaroni with Ham Soup | Light broth with macaroni and ham slices |
| Satay Beef Noodle | Spicy, rich broth with sliced beef |
| French Toast | Fried toast with syrup and condensed milk |
| Milk Tea | Strong black tea mixed with evaporated milk |
These meals are designed to give you energy for the day without being too heavy. Everything is cooked fresh and served quickly.
Dim Sum Experience
From 9:30 AM to 3 PM, the kitchen starts preparing a wide variety of dim sum items. This includes favorites like har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), and steamed BBQ pork buns.
The restaurant follows a traditional service style where you check off items on a paper menu, and the food arrives fresh from the kitchen.
Some crowd favorites include:
Shrimp dumplings with thin, chewy skin
Siu mai topped with fish roe
Steamed spare ribs in black bean sauce
Lotus leaf sticky rice
Dim sum at Happy Valley Food City is known for its generous portions and fair pricing. Most items cost between $5 to $8, making it a good value for family or group meals.
BBQ and Evening Dishes
After 5 PM, Happy Valley Food City turns into a seafood and BBQ spot. The menu shifts toward grilled skewers, fried rice, and seafood hot pots. If you enjoy bold flavors and late-night eats, this is the best time to visit.
Popular choices include:
Satay Chicken Skewers
Deep-fried Calamari
Lobster with Ginger and Green Onion
Beef Fried Rice with Egg
The evening service also offers beer, cocktails, and soft drinks, adding to the lively nighttime vibe. It’s not uncommon to see groups sharing several dishes over drinks, especially on weekends.
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Pricing and Portions
Happy Valley Food City is known for offering good portion sizes at affordable prices. Here’s a quick guide to the cost:
| Meal Type | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Breakfast/Café | $10 – $15 |
| Dim Sum | $5 – $8 per item |
| BBQ/Seafood Mains | $18 – $28 |
| Drinks | $3 – $8 |
For around $20 to $25 per person, you can enjoy a full meal with drinks, especially if you share dishes.
Why People Love It
Happy Valley Food City has gained attention for being one of the few places in Greater Vancouver that combines HK café dishes, dim sum, and BBQ. Most restaurants specialize in just one of these. Here, you get it all in one stop.
Many customers also mention:
Late-night hours, which are great for post-work or late dinners
Free parking, a big plus in Burnaby
Clean and spacious layout, making it family-friendly
Fast service and fresh food, even during busy hours
Online Reviews and Ratings
According to reviews on Tripadvisor, Uber Eats, and Fantuan, Happy Valley Food City holds a strong average rating between 4.3 to 4.6 stars.
People mention the variety of options, flavorful dishes, and efficient service as standout points. Bloggers like Gutom have highlighted the restaurant’s triple-service concept as something not commonly seen in the area.
Conclusion
Happy Valley Food City has become more than just a local eatery—it’s a destination for people craving a true Hong Kong dining experience in Burnaby. Whether you’re starting your day with a hot bowl of satay noodles or ending it with seafood skewers and a cold drink, this restaurant offers something unique.
It’s a place where different food cultures meet, and everyone can find something they love. So next time you’re near Lougheed Highway, drop by Happy Valley Food City and taste what makes this spot special.
