Where to eat in Vancouver: “The Original” Szechuan Chonqing Seafood Restaurant – Ocean Wise’s First Chinese Restaurant Partner in Canada

Vancouver is well known for its abundant offering of quality, authentic Chinese food.  Our fresh, local seafood selection is equally famous. Combine the two and there’s no surprise why this city is such a phenomenal culinary destination.

Seafood is delicious, alright, but it’s also important to protect our oceans by making smart seafood choices.  “The Original” Szechuan Chongqing Seafood Restaurant on Broadway is on board with the efforts.  They are officially Ocean Wise’s  first Chinese restaurant partner in Canada.

On November 28, Vancouver Food Tour celebrated the newly formed partnership between Chef Robert Wong’s restaurant and Vancouver Aquarium‘s Ocean Wise program.

The packed event included an introduction by Vancouver Aquarium’s president, John Nightingale, who commended Chef Wong on being the first Chinese chef in Canada that took the steps to promote sustainable seafood.  Mike McDermin, Ocean Wise’s manager and Kevin Huang, the director of campaigns for Shark Truth, were also on hand to describe the detrimental effects of overfishing and the importance of ocean conservation.

Chef Robert Wong took the stage and discussed his decision to partner with Ocean Wise.  He explained his process of phasing out certain menu items and sourcing sustainable seafood alternatives. He then demonstrated how to properly filet sablefish.

Chef Robert Wong’s fileting demonstration

Below are some of the many delectable dishes that we enjoyed at the event:

A sample of menu items, plated artistically

BC mussels in a sizzling Szechuan bouillabaisse

Oyster shooters with citrus and a hint of fagara spice

Flaky hand-made peony pastry with lotus paste

All menu items were paired with our choice of Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris or Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir.

The launch was an excellent ending to what has been an exciting and eye-opening Ocean Wise month. Congratulations to Chef Robert Wong and Szechuan Chongqing Seafood Restaurant for taking on the challenge and becoming the first Chinese restaurant in Canada to become an Ocean Wise partner!

Maren Walker works in Communications and Relations for Vancouver Food Tour. Originally from California, living in Vancouver, BC via Texas. Lover of culinary adventures, food trucks, beer, travel, hiking and design.

Follow her on twitter @marenw