We were looking for a Chinese restaurant in Victoria. We had walked the tiny, but old, Chinatown and hadn't yet had Chinese food on this trip. Yelp reviews were mixed for restaurants IN Chinatown, so we broadened our search a bit. We found Hope Key just a few blocks outside Chinatown. Yelp reviews were really good, although not as numerous as we had hoped. We decided to give it a shot. We were NOT disappointed! Brenda and her brother James were the most gracious and hospitable hosts. My wife's name is Brenda, which drew an immediate bond and when we found out her husband's name was also Bill, we were instant friends. We ordered the sweet and sour pork over noodles (it was the special that evening) and the spicy szechuan chicken over rice. Both were excellent. We liked the pork better. The chicken was not real spicy, in our estimation. But the flavors were excellent. I'm not sure why they don't have as many reviews, since they've been in this location for 20 years. If you want great Chinese food, try them out! read more

Hope Key - Sweet and Sour Pork over noodles - Chinese Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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Went to this place on a whim and was not disappointed in the food and service! We met the owner, Brenda, who was so friendly and welcoming! If you are in the mood for good Chinese food, check out this place! read more

Hope Key - Have a rice day! - Chinese Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Delicious food and incredible service. When we visited Victoria, we ate at Hope Key twice because of the amazing food and welcoming owners. We loved their Wonton soup, pork fried rice, beef and broccoli and honey ginger chicken. This is a must try Chinese food restaurant! read more

Hope Key - Honey ginger chicken - perfect crisp and delicious taste! - Chinese Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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We stopped by yesterday as they were just opening for dinner. We were welcomed in enthusiastically. We ordered the Szechuan chicken and since we weren't too hungry decided to share. The person helping us ( I assume one of the owners) suggested we order one and a half orders of the chicken and a half order of noodles we ate the whole thing. I asked for extra veggies and it was filled with crispy broccoli, green bean, onions and cabbage. Before our meal she brought veggie spring roll for us to try. It was delicious , hot and crunchy. Half way through our meal she brought out rice to (" soak up the gravy, no charge). While the food itself was not the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, it was tasty and the service was excellent. I highly recommend. read more

What a wonderful place. The food was excellent! And the owners were sooooo nice. Amazingly nice. If we lived here we would come every week. Really .... Try this place read more

Hope Key - Super ambiance - Chinese Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

We loved this place! First, the staff was great. The interior was fun and colorful. Then the food was amazing!! A must visit when you are in Victoria- no wonder they have been there for over 40 years. read more

Great place, very nice Cantonese owners and they kept things very fun for my wife and kids on our visit! The portions were absolutely massive and reheated well. Some of the best overall service I've had in a long time and quirky fun atmosphere despite its casual/low key appearance. read more

This place is a hidden gem and it truly has made my heart feel full. The owners are INCREDIBLE, and I mean INCREDIBLE. The service is top notch, the owners seat, serve and make you feel like you're at home. The decor is beautiful And space clean And the food, well, it was all delicious Highly recommend read more

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Super friendly owners, and the food tastes great! We're from Vancouver, and the chicken fried rice here is the best we've ever tasted. The tofu dish tasted very homemade. Nothing was too salty or too greasy. It's about $15 per entree, but the portions are big so the value is good. We got takeout at the window, and the owners threw in a little surprise bonus and fortune cookies. We felt so well taken care of lol. We will be back! read more

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Welcome to Victoria! The hospitality, ambience, and food were just what we we're looking forward to in our visit to Hope Key. Thank you for the great experience! read more

It's a great place to go for a full belly of savoury food. The owners are amazingly generous, not only with the portions that aren't buffet but also when they give so many homeless people a large meal when them come in. The owners are so friendly that it's almost like going home for a good meal. The lady shout outs as soon as you enter and fusses over you till the minute you leave. The food is so yummy, hot and fresh. Nine times out of ten you'll get some sort of deal on something or other. Or if you get the rest of your meal to go she'll usually top it up. It's small but comfy and they can tell if you actually want to be left alone and respect that. Awesome place. read more

Delicious buffet! And the owner was fantastic - friendly, and really nice. My kids had bubble tea and the owner was really cute and let them choose their ingredients. The food was fresh and not greasy at all like other Chinese cuisine buffets. I definitely feel like we found a real hidden gem and am excited to go back again! read more

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I came in from out of town and was hungry for war wonton soup. I looked at reviews and although one of the restaurants was highly rated, some said portions were small and the wonton soup only had a few wontons. So, I decided to try Hope Key on Douglas Street. My experience was great. The propieter was so friendly. I ordered my soup take out and it was superb. It was full of veggies, prawns, chicken and so many wontons I have quit counting. I ordered the spicy broth as well (you can order without spice as well). I will definitely be back. Maybe again before I leave Victoria. I like supporting these local places. Thank you. read more

Hope Key - a bowl of soup on a table - Chinese Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

I was referred here by Dr. Wally Mui (founder of International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Victoria) to see owner Brenda Deng and get *some of the best Chinese food in Victoria.* I was not disappointed. We were instantly welcomed into this family-owned restaurant and seated in very comfortable booth. They use no MSG and focus on utilizing local and in season veggies. The tempura was fresh. Servings were more than adequate and service was speedy and with many smiles. Prices were, well, cheap as far as we were concerned. Brenda is a character, she'll have you in stitches. read more

Absolutely amazing place! The owner treated us so nice. Really get as if I was at my granny's home and it was just so wonderful. Great food, great price, if I'm ever back in Victoria I will definitely be back! read more

Hope Key - Stairs to bubble tea lounge - Chinese Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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We came here for a quick lunch before taking off on a ferry to Washington. The service was excellent, but the food was so-so. Actually the quality of some of the items was not too bad but the selection was quite limited. The Taiwanese meat sauce over rice was good but a bit too salty. The sweet and sour pork was OK. read more

Eating at this Chinese restaurant felt like I was personally invited to an authentic Chinese relative's home for a home cooked meal. The service was phenomenal and so personal. They knew we were from out of town and let us get the Tuesday and Saturday specials on a Friday because that's what looked good to us. With a large buffet selection and huge portions on the dinner specials, we were still eating our leftovers for 2 days. PLUS, if you're into Bubble Tea, they have tons of flavored. I would highly recommend this restaurant for anyone with a large appetite craving some phenomenal Chinese food. Ps The almond chicken special with noodles was delicious :) read more

Wow... I am really speechless! The man (I'm guessing he is also the owner of a family-run business.) was soooooo nice and always had a smile on his face. There were also 2-3 other ladies. They were all so friendly!!!! I've never met anyone more happy then them. They had a full menu but we decided on the buffet which was $13.95 per person. They kept telling us to eat more and more! The selection of food is pretty small but for the price, I'm not mad at all. There were a lot of tempura items and hot soups. My favorite has to be the spicy noodles! We came exactly at 11am when they open so the food wasn't completely ready. Most of the food items were just room temperature. The restaurant is very unique and I love the chairs! Plus... free wifi! Definitely give this place a try! read more

Not sure what the 5-star reviews are for. We ate here recently while visiting Victoria. The atmosphere was fine--as is noted elsewhere, the staff is great. I had two problems. Because winter is rolling in here, it was a bit chilly. Every time the door opened, we were blasted with cold air. I should have just asked for another table farther from the door, but because we were settled in, I decided to deal with it. The other problem was the food. My daughter's California roll was good but not great. I was going to go through the other dishes me and my family got, but the same description would apply for all--good, but not great. And I think "good" is being generous. My wife didn't like her soup enough to finish more than a few spoonfuls (soup that came after our entrees... not sure what happened there). This place epitomizes my wife's philosophy on fusion restaurants--good but never great. This place is afflicted with Yelp inflation, so take the great reviews with a grain of salt--if you're looking for great food, look somewhere else. read more

Hope Key is a fun, family-run happy place . . . . I finally stopped in with a friend and was pleasantly surprised by the friendly atmosphere and buffet lunch. There is a menu as well. The decor is eclectic with stuffed animals amongst the diners. The tables have a good selection of bottled condiments, although some are grocery store no-name brand. The buffet put a smile on my face because of the variety of choices in such a small space. It's not anywhere near the huge Chinese buffets in Ontario, but it's got enough curiosity and variety to satisfy me. Some items I've never seen at other buffets. Not all Chinese, much of it "international", with suitable accompaniments. You've got to see it to believe it. The Asian soups and savouries were the most delicious and housemade, worthy of seconds. The baked ham was to live for. The other offerings and desserts were all worth a taste, and were fun to eat. Service was super-friendly and buffet plates removed near immediately. I'll be back . . . read more

As stated by other Yelpers the service here is about the best you will find in Victoria. I absolutely love the staff at this establishment, they are friendly, quick and funny. She was very concerned that my son didn't like his meal (he did but just wasnt hungry) and she sat with us for a bit to make sure we were all happy. The food. Hmm well thats why I could only give 3 stars. Mind you I did have the buffet and I should know better by now. The 3 of our group of 5 were quite happy with what they ordered (2 almond chicken and a wor wonton). The buffet I wasnt impressed with (other than the sheer variety of items). Unfortunately that variety wasn't in traditional chinese food. There were only a couple items that I would consider really as chinese food and they were: special fish balls, sweet and sour pork, wonton soup, hotpot soup and vegetable fried rice. The rest of the buffet was rounded out with things like vienna sausages, meatballs in prego sauce, roasted chicken legs and tacos? The dessert bar had everything from fresh fruit, cookies, jars of candy and pudding....hmmm. As far as quality of buffet goes, the rice was cold and crunchy, the tempura yams (usually my favorite) were cold and soggy. The special fish balls were quite good as was the meat slices for the hotpot type soup although the cilantro soup garnish was woody and contained too much stem. The sweet and sour pork was tasty enough but the large chunks of ham were a little odd. There was also a rice cooker full of Jasmine Rice but I missed it because it was sitting in the window over near the dessert station, no where near the main buffet. Were I to try it again, and I most likely will eventually, I will forego the buffet and order off the menu. I can't comment on the bubble tea (which I love) but other reviews rave about it so it is on my bucket list. All in all I will be back to Hope Key mostly because of the service and will upadte this review based on my next meal here. read more

If i am busy, usually just drop by and get a takeout box from their lunch buffet. The food is homey and tasty. But what's so great is that both times, the male or the female cashier is super nice and friendly and makes you feel so welcome. They just want you to have a great meal and enjoy their food. I usually just grab some sticky rice, the soya eggs and chicken drumsticks. Solid home cooking is especially appreciated when you are staying at a hotel away from home. Too bad they are not open 7 days a week. read more

Hope Key is my favorite place in Victoria. Me and my best friend started going there when we were in middle school. I've never had the food, but I always get bubble tea there and it's the best bubble tea I've ever had. I usually get the vanilla bubble tea, and it is perfect. At a lot of other places they make it too creamy, or not creamy enough. Hope Key is just right. I also love how you can scoop your own jellies. That is a great option that I haven't experienced anywhere else. When I moved to Toronto for two years I was completely distraught and looked for a new bubble tea place on caliber with Hope Key but I was sorely disappointed. Their customer service is absolutely amazing. Everyone there is always so happy and make you feel so welcome. My friend and I used to always get hugs from the staff on our way out and it was so cute. I felt like family. A great aspect of the restaurant is the loft. It has Japanese-y posters on the walls and three comfy couches with tons of pillows. There is even a guitar. It is a great place to relax with your friends. You should definitely go to Hope Key!!! read more

This is the best bubble tea I have had, period. I love taro flavour, and the "fresh-fruit" variety of taro was simply beyond sensational (they blend up fresh taro root with tea, sugar etc.). They let you put in your own tapioca and jelly (self-serve style). I had never had jelly before because I love the tapioca, but I felt free to experiment with a couple of flavours because I didn't need to have too much, and I still got my tapioca, all at no extra charge. This is the only place I have seen that makes bubble tea with real fruit (or taro), and it is a significant step up from the other stuff. The service was buoyantly outgoing and terrifically friendly! A must-visit if you're in Victoria! read more

Best dumpling soup of my life! Hands down! The owners are so sweet and adorable. You get to help make your own bubble tea too. The most adorable decor inside....LOVE LOVE LOVE If only there were a place like this in Seattle, Not to be missed read more

One of the best casual dining experiences I've had. Very friendly hosts. Amazingly heartwarming service. We took the buffet, and the food was good, especially the appetizers. Loved their Beef with broccoli! Very nice ambience. Well maintained and clean place. Overall great experience. Will definitely visit again. read more

This is a lovely little restaurant that i discovered not too long ago. Although from the outside it doesnt look very convincing, inside its very cozy and adorable. I have never had the food here, but I am excited to try the buffet as I enjoy chinese food. My absolute favourite thing here is the chocolate slushie bubble tea! The bubble tea is fun to make because you get to choose which jellies and tapioca pearls you want, and how much you want. And there are so many bubble tea choices! As always, the two lovely people who work there, are always interested in how you are doing. I love this cute little restaurant, would definitely recommend! read more

Been coming here since 2010. This place has the best War Wonton soup! It is a challenge to finish with fresh veggies, chicken, shrimp, pork and more. Enjoy! read more

They dont mess around here. Had Beef & Broccoli, very nice thick pieces of beef, brocolli done just nice, not too saucy. Wor Won Ton was huge and tastey. Will be back for sure. read more

Honestly I've never eaten the food from there, but the bubble tea is out of this world! My favourite bubble tea in town, so authentic, yummy and so many choices! The main reason to come here though is the owners!! They are such sweet angels so generous and kind, I've never felt more comfortable in a restaurant. They make you a part of the family from the moment you walk in! read more

My wife and I walked in just to get some bubble tea, but after seeing the charm of the place, the home-cooked food, and the friendly owners we'd definitely return for more. We LOVE bubble tea. They have a great flavour selection and even let you put your own boba and sinkers in the cup. They have a neat machine that shakes up the drinks and the owner even lets you taste it for sweetness. We couldn't get over how kind and friendly the owners were. Definitely stop by! read more

Such a neat little spot! The staff is lovely and friendly, they genuinely want to chat with you. The bubble tea is amazing here and you get to pick the pearls you want AND put the pearls in you want - they have at least 6 options read more

Good food, great people! A cozy little spot with a good selection of bubble tea and regular Chinese dishes. Their buffet option is interesting - 13.95(lunch) and 15.95(dinner). Food is always full and refilled often. Their pork dishes are very good, the sauces that go on the rice are excellent as well. Street parking, or pay parking (first hour free) in nearby lots. read more

We ignored the review about "best service" and focussed on the food quality. We almost walked out thinking this is JUST a take out place, what a mistake it wudda been. Unbelievable service. Best I have ever seen in any Asian restaurant. Food variety isn't the best but the quality was good for what they had to offer. Strongly recommend if you like Asian food. Amazing for a family with a kid cos they were super friendly with ours. 4 stars for sure. The one has to be reserved for variety/options in the menu. read more

This place is an absolute gem. The buffet items were fresh and brought out in small batches. The sticky rice was the best I've had. The owners go to the nth degree to make sure that you are comfortable and taken care of. If you're downtown and hungry for a great Chinese meal, this is the place to go. read more

The buffet was not what I'm used to. The spread was what I would consider small compared to the Chinese generic buffets of the SF Bay Area. The food was delicious with a good variety of what seemed like "home cooked" style flavor. I enjoyed the wonton soup, sticky rice, and curry chicken. If there was MSG, I didn't taste it. Also, the people who worked there were so friendly and attentive. The decor was casual and fun. I would definitely come back if I return to Victoria for another visit. read more

I have yet to eat a meal at Hope Key, because my first visit was for a last minute bubble tea craving on my way home from work. Their prices for bubble tea are the same as the tea place on Fisgard, but the drinks are slightly larger. They use the traditional method of sealing the drink with cellophane before giving it a vigorous shake, then you get to stab your drink with a colourful straw. Simple pleasures for simple minds, as they say! The service was very friendly and the chocolate boba that I had was awesome! I'll definitely be back for more tea and I'm looking forward to dinner some time. A+!! read more

Delicious food and super friendly, accommodating staff (maybe the owners?). Truly the best Chinese food I've eaten.

The best service of any restaurant I've ever been too (worldwide.) Brenda and her staff treat you like family. Good food, great price, big portions, nice atmosphere and stellar service. Highly recommended! read more

A very friendly, cheery and casual place for very good food. We ordered the spring rolls, stir-fried veggies, and chicken with noodles. This is Hong Kong style food, very light on the sauces, wonderfully fresh vegetables, perfectly cooked. My husband is gluten intolerant and they graciously substituted rice noodles in the chicken dish. Don't let the buffet deter you - ask for a menu and enjoy very good food. read more