Sai Gwan: Can’t get over their hot pot rice

February 3, 2015/ by zuuchini/ in food, Montreal, restaurant review/ Comments Off

If you have read this review on Sai Gwan, you would have known I was very fond of Sai Gwan. After 2 years or so, I’m still very fond of Sai Gwan!

Lo Mein with won ton.

Let me get this straight. I don’t usually like lo mein. But Sai Gwan’s lo mein are made in house and they are so perfect. Their texture is similar to Angel hair pasta with a bit more of elasticity. They were so simple, yet so addictive. The won ton was good as well.

Lo Mein with beef flank.

The beef flank was so tender and flavorful. I simply wished there could be a bit more.

Hot pot rice with bacon and Chinese sausage

This hot pot rice is perfect for cold weather. A true comfort food. There used to be a restaurant in Brossard that served it and they were the best thing ever. Sadly, they closed a long time ago. I was so happy when I learned this in the menu of Sai Gwan. The soya sauce and the fats of the bacon and the Chinese sausage essentially rendered the rice so decadent. I couldn’t help but have one bowl after another one.

I mean look at this! This is what it looks like when everything is mixed together. It was pure happiness. The best part was the crispy rice layer on the bottom of the pot. The hot pot rice depicts the simplicity of life. What I would suggest to improve this hot pot rice is to add Chinese cured duck legs. I could only sigh in dreams for now.

Hot pot rice with grounded pork in black bean sauce

Another homey meal, although not my favorite hot pot rice.

Black sesame glutinous rice ball in coconut milk
and
Red bean dessert soup

Sai Gwan still makes one of the best red bean dessert soup in town! It was so dense in red bean flavors. And the glutinous rice ball, tang yun (the Cantonese way to say it), is delightful. I simply cannot finish my meal at Sai Gwan without their incredible dessert. Always so spot on.

Sai Gwan is a non-pretentious restaurant. The only Chinese restaurant that I feel I am back in my childhood times. Sticking true to its roots, Sai Gwan offers great taste for incredible low price. I can’t wait to go back again!