I have many Chinese friends in Vancouver, and my last visit to Kirin Richmond was in July 2024…read more This time, it was my birthday, and my friends insisted on treating me to Kirin Richmond once again.
On a typical Sunday evening, the restaurant is usually fully occupied, but my friend had thoughtfully made a reservation a week in advance, so our table for five was ready upon arrival.
As always, the restaurant was clean and well maintained, with good airflow thanks to the wide-open front entrance facing the parkade. The front desk receptionist greeted us cordially, and we were escorted to a cozy table in a comfortable location -- not too close to the washrooms, which I appreciated.
Our meal began with the Kirin Special Assorted Cold Appetizer, followed by Crab Meat, Dried Scallops, and Fish Maw Soup. The soup arrived piping hot and was delicious, with a generous portion that could easily have served eight people. We also enjoyed Pea Tips Braised with Bean Curd and Assorted Mushrooms in Consommé, Marinated Free-Range Crispy Skin Chicken, Fillet of Cod Sautéed with Seasonal Vegetables, and Live Crab in Consommé with Ginger and Green Onion, served with E-fu Noodles.
Overall, the quality and taste of every entrée were excellent. Service was top-notch -- tea and hot water were refilled constantly, bones and used plates were replaced promptly, and the servers were friendly and engaging throughout the evening. My friend and his family have apparently been regulars at this location for over two decades, which likely contributed to the exceptional attentiveness we received.
However, one aspect of the experience genuinely disturbed me. All servers, including the captains, continued to wear masks at all times. While this practice was understandable two years ago, now -- five years after the onset of the pandemic, with COVID-19 managed similarly to other seasonal respiratory illnesses -- the continued universal masking in a fine-dining environment feels unnecessary and detracts from the overall guest experience.
Fine dining, in my view as an avid foodie, is built on human connection, hospitality, and personal interaction. Masks create a more impersonal, almost clinical atmosphere. In a well-ventilated space like this, the environmental risk does not seem to justify the visual and social trade-off. Rather than providing reassurance, the persistent masking may unintentionally signal that the environment is unsafe or that management is out of step with current provincial health guidelines, where masking is now a personal choice rather than a mandate.
Final verdict:
Food & Service: 5/5
Ambience: 2/5
Overall: 3/5 -- as the current aesthetic feels more like a relic of 2020 than a leader in 2026 hospitality.