Author: Jessica_Simmons

I’ve written at length about my introductory experience to Peaceful Restaurant at their Seymour Street location (see my review on this site). In short, I was elated to have found quality Chinese “comfort food” that even far exceeded Hon’s on Robson (RIP). For once Guy...Fieri has pointed me in the right direction and it’s a beautiful thing. Thus, when the opportunity arose to sample Peaceful’s West Broadway location, you just knew ol’ PookyCake would jump at it. Of course, the biggest difference between now and my earlier visit to the Seymour location is that COVID happened. The West Broadway location – which is much smaller than Seymour – is currently open for dine-in, but seating is limited due to current health regulations in place. As such, we’ve opted for takeout each time we’ve patronized Peaceful on West Broadway. Our orders have been ready in good time – approximately 20 minutes – and reflect the quality I was so pleased with at Seymour. Let me run through a few (but not all) of the dishes we’ve had: Wonton Soup: This is an item I think most people would roll their eyes at because it’s so dreadfully common; however, the Peaceful version of this soup elevates it beyond your typical bland wonton. It’s still a fairly basic soup, but I feel the inclusion of spinach and cilantro adds a subtle layer of spice and enhances both the broth and wontons. My grandmother found the soup spicy (!?), but I found it hearty and delicious – especially on a chilly November evening. Peaceful House Rice / Yang-Zhou Rice: We’ve tried both versions at different times. Both are delicious and, if I can echo my earlier review, the simple ingredients came together and elevated the rice in a big way. I’m usually not the biggest fan of rice dishes (I generally find them to be bland), but Peaceful Restaurant knows how to bring a simple fried rice to a higher echelon. Note: The “Peaceful” and “Yang-Zhou” dishes are practically the same; the only notable difference between the two is that the Yang-Zhou lacks cilantro and therefore a small bit of spice. Spicy Chilli Garlic Prawns: In my review of the Seymour location, I described this dish as a “homerun” and noted that “I’d come back for this dish alone.” If I’m comparing both locations, this is where I’d say the biggest divergence is. To be clear, the flavours are all still there – the prawns are ample and tender and the dish carries just enough kick to give a little spice – but the presentation is totally different. There are veggies accompanying the prawns, but they lack the vibrant colour I so appreciated at the Seymour location. In the end, it makes the dish look a little one-note, but at least it’s not lacking in flavour. Spicy Chilli Garlic Fish: This item is basically like the spicy chilli garlic prawns, but with basa fish. In short, I actually enjoyed this dish more than the prawns. The delicate flavours of the basa, surprisingly, did not get overtaken by the chili garlic sauce. Instead, the fish, chilli sauce and veggies worked together and crated a lovely foodie gestalt. Xiao-Long Bao (XLB): The XLB “steamed buns” were a favourite at Seymour and they remain a favourite here. The buns were nice and plump while their exterior was light and chewy, which enabled them to maintain their shape between picking them up and eating them. The broth inside the XLB was literally bursting with flavour and thus remains my “gold standard” when it comes to the Chinese soup buns. Sichuan String Beans: This dish was simple in presentation, but carried layers of flavour well beyond what I was anticipating. The pork pieces were tender; the string beans were cooked perfectly; and the crushed chillies with soy sauce contributed a subtle spice that played well with the main components of the dish. In fact, this dish very much reminded me of The Capital’s spicy green beans with beef in terms of flavour – and that’s quite the compliment. Beef Stir-Fried Noodles: We ordered this dish to appease the grandparents but, again, Peaceful over-delivered. This item is simply described as stir-fried noodles “with fresh assorted vegetables & light soy sauce,” which sounds pretty basic; however, it is Peaceful’s masterful execution of these basic items that shows you how and why they’ve received so many accolades over the years. It’s a simple chow mein dish, sure, but the flavours are nothing short of exceptional. FOOD: 5/5 SERVICE: 5/5 VALUE: 5/5 RECOMMENDATION: It’s been nice having a few “Peaceful” meals during COVID. Everything we’ve had at the West Broadway location – from wonton soup, to the prawns, the beef rolls and rice dishes – has met or exceeded expectations. If I may quote an earlier reviewer, Peaceful Restaurant is indeed “super very good” ;) Highly recommended! PS: If you found this review helpful in any way please consider hitting the "helpful" button!More