Jingle Bao is a neighbourhood Chinese restaurant on Denman Street in Vancouver’s West End, now operating under new family ownership. The restaurant is known for their soup dumplings, and the menu has grown to include stir fries, fried rice, noodles, and house drinks.
We tried the Signature Magnificent Seven, which brings together seven styles of soup dumplings: Classic, Truffle, Curry, Spicy, Shrimp, Spinach Cheese, and Garlic. The dumplings arrived hot, with thin wrappers and different fillings inside. The Classic Xiao Long Bao delivered a savoury pork filling and a good balance of soup. The Truffle version was aromatic, while the Curry and Spicy options offered a light heat. The Shrimp filling was a good seafood take, and the Spinach Cheese and Garlic versions were more of the unique versions.
The Black Pepper Beef was served with rice shaped like a bear, along with two small sides of seaweed salad and pickled vegetables. The beef was tender and coated in a peppery sauce that was nicely savoury. The seaweed salad and pickles added salt and acidity, which helped keep the plate from feeling too rich.
The Sautéed Chicken and Vegetables Chow Mein featured springy noodles, sliced chicken, and a mix of vegetables. The noodles were evenly coated in sauce, and the vegetables kept their bite. It was a straightforward, filling dish that worked well as a shared main.
For drinks, the Iced Matcha Latte was smooth with a mild bitterness from the matcha. The Butterfly Pea Lemonade was lightly citrusy with a light floral note and vivid colour.
An added element of the dining experience is the live sugar painting offered to guests who reach a minimum spend of $50. Melted sugar is poured from a small ladle onto a flat surface to form an edible design. Design choices currently are based on the animals from the Chinese zodiac. This adds a traditional, hands on touch to the visit.
The room feels relaxed and casual, making it an easy place for both a simple meal and shared dining.
Jingle Bao is located at 774 Denman St, Vancouver, BC.