Craving delicious and Affordable Chinese Food Near Me? Look no further than Colour See See, a hidden gem in Burnaby, just a stone’s throw from Metrotown. For those of us who appreciate a good meal out without breaking the bank, especially on a casual weeknight, finding a spot that ticks both the “yummy” and “budget-friendly” boxes is a win. Colour See See offers exactly that – a delightful menu of Chinese comfort food that’s easy on the wallet and close to home.
Located conveniently in Burnaby, Colour See See specializes in a comforting array of Chinese dishes perfect for any day, but particularly satisfying on a rainy Vancouver evening. Their menu, though concise, is packed with flavorful options like wonton soup and soup dumplings, making it an ideal destination when you’re searching for “affordable chinese food near me” that doesn’t compromise on taste. Recently, my group of four ventured to Colour See See for dinner and decided to sample nearly everything they had to offer!
A Cozy Spot for Affordable Eats
Arriving on a Friday evening, we were pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant relatively quiet around 6:30 pm, dispelling any worries about long wait times. However, by the time we were leaving around 7:30 pm, the tables had started to fill up, indicating its growing popularity among locals seeking “chinese food near me”.
The interior of Colour See See is intimate, featuring a handful of tables that create a cozy dining atmosphere. Diners can catch a glimpse of the kitchen operations, adding to the authentic and transparent feel of the place. Our group of four found ample space at our table, and the booth seating along the wall offered a comfortable cushion, while other seating options included simple wooden chairs.
While the server’s English was limited, the availability of an English menu ensured a smooth and accessible ordering experience for everyone, making it welcoming for those searching for “affordable chinese food near me” without language barriers.
Exploring the Menu: Affordable Chinese Delights
Here’s a breakdown of the dishes we enjoyed, with prices in CAD rounded for simplicity, showcasing the affordable options available at Colour See See, your go-to for “affordable chinese food near me”.
Must-Try Appetizers: Soy Milk & Pumpkin Cake
For a unique beverage choice, we opted for their soy milk ($3). Served warm and boasting a richer texture than typical milk, it was a delightful and slightly sweet drink. Perfect for a cooler day, it offered a comforting warmth from within, a unique offering you might not expect when looking for “chinese food near me”.
Despite my personal aversion to pumpkin, we tried the pumpkin cake ($7) at my husband’s request. An order includes four mini cakes, and to my surprise, they were quite enjoyable! Their texture was wonderfully chewy, reminiscent of mochi, with a sweet red bean filling inside. These deep-fried treats tasted like a comforting and unique dessert, adding a sweet note to our search for “affordable chinese food near me”.
Wonton Soup Wonders: Mini vs. Regular
Driven by curiosity, we ordered both the mini wonton soup ($9) and the regular wonton soup ($11) to compare. The mini version features 12 diminutive wontons, resembling tiny pouches, in a subtly different broth that includes egg shreds, seaweed, and parsley.
In contrast, the regular wonton soup contains 8 significantly larger wontons, more akin to dumplings, generously filled with meat and vegetables. The soup base is simpler, garnished only with green onions and parsley. Both soups share a similar light and clear broth, but personally, I favored the regular wonton soup for its heartier wontons, making it a comforting choice when seeking “affordable chinese food near me”.
Xiao Long Bao (XLB) Excellence: Soup Dumpling Heaven
Moving to the star of the menu for many, the xiao long bao ($9-12)! You can customize your order with three filling choices, each order containing 6 soup dumplings:
- Pork filling – $9
- Shrimp & pork filling – $10
- Crab & pork filling – $11
We opted for two orders (12 dumplings total), selecting one pork and one crab & pork. These soup dumplings were undeniably delicious. Despite their delicate, thin wrappers, they impressively held their structure – a testament to their quality, as even a dropped dumpling remained intact! The soup inside was flavorful and satisfyingly hot. Between the two fillings, the crab & pork XLB edged out the pork, offering a richer, seafood-infused umami flavor, a must-try for anyone looking for “affordable chinese food near me” with authentic taste.
Pan-Fried Perfection: Buns & Dumplings
Pan Fried Buns
Surprisingly, I found myself preferring the pan-fried buns ($8-16) over the XLB, primarily because of my love for the crispy bottoms. Colour See See again provides a variety of fillings for their pan-fried buns, each order containing 4 buns:
- Pork filling – $8
- Shrimp & pork filling – $9
- Crab & pork filling – $10
- Crayfish & pork filling – $16
- Scallop & pork filling – $12
We chose one pork filling (identified by black seeds) and one shrimp & pork filling (beige seeds). Unlike the distinct flavor difference in the XLB fillings, the variations between the pork and shrimp & pork pan-fried buns were subtler. Considering the price points and fillings, the pork filling emerges as the best value option, being the most affordable while still delivering a delicious pork-centric experience when you’re looking for “affordable chinese food near me”.
Compared to pan-fried buns from Shanghai Dimsum House in Crystal Mall food court or Wang’s in Vancouver, Colour See See’s buns are smaller. However, they still boast that desirable crispy bottom and are filled with hot, flavorful soup – utterly delicious!
Pan Fried Dumplings
My expectations for the pan-fried dumplings ($8-10) were modest, overshadowed by my excitement for the buns and XLB. However, this menu item turned out to be the biggest surprise! Again, filling choices are available, with 4 dumplings per order:
- Pork filling – $8
- Shrimp & pork filling – $9
- Crab & pork filling – $10
We selected the shrimp & pork filling, and each dumpling contained a whole shrimp! While I did notice the shrimp weren’t deveined, it’s a common practice in many places for smaller shrimp. Regardless, these pan-fried dumplings had wonderfully crispy skins and, unexpectedly, contained soup inside! This was a delightful surprise, as I’ve never encountered soup-filled fried dumplings before. This unexpected element truly elevated them, making them a standout choice for “affordable chinese food near me”.
Final Verdict: Affordable Chinese Food Near Me – Colour See See Delivers!
Loewe’s rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Our meal for four, including tax and tip, came under $100 – making Colour See See a genuinely affordable dining option. The service was prompt, and every dish was delicious. I will definitely be returning to Colour See See for a quick, affordable weeknight dinner, or when the Vancouver rain starts pouring down as we head into Fall.
Dishes I highly recommend and would order again in a heartbeat include the XLB, pork pan-fried buns, and the pan-fried dumplings. Honestly, I could order a ton of these and a glass of their comforting soy milk and be perfectly content. If you’re on the hunt for “affordable chinese food near me”, Colour See See is a fantastic choice that delivers on both price and flavor!
Sincerely, Loewe
