Some restaurants serve good food. Others bring back familiar memories, one dumpling at a time.
Julie and I have always enjoyed discovering good food around Markham. We are not necessarily looking for expensive restaurants or fancy dining experiences. Sometimes, all we want is a comfortable place, a satisfying meal, and the pleasure of sharing lunch together.
One of our familiar choices is Northern Dumpling Kitchen at Times Square, near Highway 7 in Markham. I have a particular fondness for northern Chinese dumplings, so this restaurant has always been on my list of places worth revisiting.
Recently, Julie and I returned for lunch. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant had undergone a renovation.
A Fresh Look, a Familiar Favourite
The first thing I noticed was how much cleaner and tidier the dining environment looked. The renovation had made a real difference. The surroundings felt more pleasant, and the restaurant seemed brighter and more inviting than before.
For an older couple like Julie and me, a comfortable dining environment matters. We appreciate good food, of course, but cleanliness, a tidy dining area, and a relaxed atmosphere also contribute to an enjoyable meal.
The staff members were all new faces to me. I could not be certain whether the owner was still the same person, although I had the impression that the ownership might not have changed. Whatever the case, it was nice to see the restaurant refreshed and ready to welcome customers again.
A renovation can give a familiar business a new lease on life without taking away the character that made people return in the first place.
My Favourite Northern Chinese Comfort Food
Of course, I did not return simply to admire the renovation. I came for the food!
Northern Chinese dumplings have a special place in my heart. Unlike some delicate dim sum dishes, these dumplings are satisfying little parcels of flavour. They can be steamed, boiled, or pan-fried, with each preparation offering a different texture and experience.
My favourites include several familiar dishes.
锅贴 — Pan-fried dumplings
These are among my top choices. The dumplings arrive with golden-brown, crispy bottoms, while the wrappers remain soft enough to hold the savoury filling. That contrast between the crisp exterior and juicy interior is what makes a good 锅贴 so enjoyable.
A plate of these dumplings can easily become the star of a simple lunch.
小笼包 — Soup dumplings
There is something special about 小笼包. Their delicate wrappers enclose a savoury filling with hot, flavourful soup. They require a little care when eating, but that is part of the pleasure.
For anyone unfamiliar with them, the trick is to pick one up gently, take a small bite, and allow the hot soup to cool a little before enjoying the rest.
葱油饼 — Scallion pancake
This is another favourite of mine. The pancake is made with layers of dough and chopped scallions, then cooked until the outside develops a lovely golden crust. It is savoury, satisfying, and wonderfully simple.
Sometimes, the simplest foods are the ones we remember most fondly.
糍饭 — Sticky rice
Sticky rice is another northern-style comfort food I enjoy. Depending on how it is prepared, it can make a substantial breakfast or a filling snack. Its chewy texture and comforting taste remind me that good food does not have to be complicated.
These dishes represent the kind of food I appreciate: familiar, hearty, and rooted in everyday Chinese eating traditions.
Prices Have Gone Up, Too
There was one change that nobody could miss: prices had increased a little.
I suppose this should not come as a surprise. Restaurants everywhere face rising costs for ingredients, transportation, fuel, rent, and labour. Those expenses eventually find their way onto the menu.
As customers, we naturally prefer lower prices. At the same time, we have to recognize that restaurant owners face their own financial pressures. Keeping a business running while maintaining food quality and cleanliness is not easy.
My view is straightforward. A modest price increase is understandable, provided the food remains good, the portions reasonable, and the surroundings clean.
For Julie and me, value is not measured by price alone. It is the overall experience that counts.
A Small Pleasure in Everyday Life
As I grow older, I find myself appreciating these ordinary outings more than ever.
A lunch with Julie may not sound like a major event. We do not need a special occasion, a grand celebration, or an elaborate travel itinerary to enjoy ourselves. Sometimes, returning to a familiar restaurant and discovering that it has improved is enough to make the day a little brighter.
There is also something reassuring about familiar food. A well-made dumpling, a crispy scallion pancake, and a pleasant place to sit down for lunch can bring a sense of comfort that is difficult to measure.
The renovation has given Northern Dumpling Kitchen a fresher appearance. The new staff bring a different face to the dining room, while the food I enjoy continues to draw me back.
Will Julie and I return? Most likely, yes. I still have a soft spot for northern Chinese dumplings!
For now, I am happy to share these photographs and a little memory of our lunch.
After all, Grandpa Journey is not only about travelling to faraway places or looking back on the big events of life. It is also about noticing the small pleasures along the way.
A good meal, a familiar restaurant, and time spent with someone you love — sometimes, that is more than enough.
A Little Advertising. A Little Friendship. A Lot of Heart.
From Grandpa Journey, with warm wishes to everyone who enjoys good food and the simple happiness of everyday life.
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