Dragon River Chinese Restaurant

Dragon River is the kind of neighbourhood Chinese restaurant that’s easy to drive past. It sits in The Village at Thunderbird Centre at 88 Avenue and 201 Street in Walnut Grove, and the giveaway is the red lettering on the front window: Dragon River in English, 龍江酒家 in Chinese underneath. The company behind it has been registered in B.C. since 2014, and it’s a single, independent location.

It’s a dinner place. The doors open at 4 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, and close at 9. Mondays they’re shut, so check the day before you set your heart on it.

What to expect

The cooking is Cantonese-style Chinese, the comfort-food menu most of us grew up ordering: battered chicken in a glossy sweet-and-sour sauce, chow mein, fried rice studded with peas and BBQ pork. You can sit down in the dining room or call ahead and pick it up.

Why it’s on Shop Local

The people. It’s a small, friendly, family-feeling room, and the welcome is warm from the moment you walk in. The food backs it up: our own visit earned an 8 out of 10, and the full review has the details.

Good to know

• No website; the restaurant’s Facebook page is its official channel.
• The plaza has its own parking lot.
• More Walnut Grove independents are on our Shop Local page.