Congee Queen Rules the North East
895 Lawrence Avenue East 
Website
Phone: 416.916.0338
 Profile |
 Map |
As a freelancer, my work takes me all over this city. The commute can be a pain (thank God for Google-maps), but at least there is always the prospect of discovering great new places to eat. This week I found myself on Lawrence East looking for a meal that didn't involve a drive-through window or a side of 'special' dipping sauce.
Luckily, a colleague spotted the Congee Queen, and within minutes of walking in, we were whisked over to a table for two and presented a pair of glossy bound menus.
Most Chinese favourites (and then some) are available on the menu. It's hard to decide, but drawn in by the colourful photos, we order up the Fried Vermicelli with Homestyle Shrimp & Chicken ($7.25), Fried Bean Curd with Vegetables ($8.75), Stuffed Green Peppers ($3.75) and to try out the namesake dish, some Minced Beef Congee ($4.25).
Two large and two small dishes seemed about right for two people, but when they arrived moments later, we realized that lunch (and perhaps dinner) for the next day was already set. Portions are enormous, and despite the speed of the dishes, nothing looked or tasted like it had been sitting around.
Congee arrives first and starts things off well. I'll admit that I'm not one to order congee. One spoonful is usually the most I'll have, but here I was refilling my bowl for second and third time. Beef and green onions gave it solid flavour and the consistency was far better than any I've tried. Clearly, Congee Queen is working hard to live up to its regal name.
Up next, the delicate fried vermicelli (pictured at the top) are light and fresh, deliciously twirled up and around chicken, shrimp, sprouts and julienne peppers.
Fried bean curd (tofu) is the polar opposite -- in a good way. It looks nothing like the minimalist photo we saw in the menu as a huge steaming portion is served over a big bed of Chinese greens and mushrooms. Each piece is dark on the outside and soft and white on the inside -- really nicely done. If anything, there could have been a few more mushrooms (only 2-3 were uncovered) but with all those greens, I'm hardly complaining.
The stuffed peppers are also larger than standard. The fish-paste stuffing is a little fishier than I'm used to, but that's perhaps a testament to the use of flavourful real ingredients and not pre-packaged goods... or at least that's what it tasted like. My colleague adored them and offers up her share of tofu for the rest of them.
The total came to around $30 and we both had lunch in the bag for the next day.
Between this spot and the flagship location in Thornhill, let's just say I'm hoping to get more work in the area soon.
Comments (9)
That photo of the fried tofu had me drooling. I'm ashamed to admit I've never tried congee, but your post has motivated me to try some. Great post!
Zorbs 
on September 19, 2007 12:27 PM
My parents took me to Congee Star which is nearby and said that they heard that Congee Star and Congee Queen are run by a now-divorced couple. I'll have to try the Queen next time!
the fish paste was fishy probably becoz they didnt put enough dried tangarine peel/skin in the paste.. should dip the stuffed pepper in the hot chilli sauce they have, they would cover the fishy taste.. in fact, if i am not mistaken, they make their own hot garlic chili sauce(found on the table in a small container with a spoon in it).. should probably use it on everything you order!
Great food!!!! They don't deliver but you can always phone in an order and its ready for when you want.
We went to try this place after reading the review and it was everything Tanja said and more...mmmm...best Chinese food that I've had in the last 5 years..We actually only went because the Vermicelli dish pictured above looked and was described exactly like a Noodle dish I had in a Chinese restaurant in Germany and have been dreaming of since I moved here..this was it! well worth the drive from Etobicoke...We had two orders (way too much, one order is easily enough for 2-3 people) of the Fried Vermicelli with Homestyle Chicken & Shrimp, and a bowl of Mushroom/Bean Curd Congee, it's hard to find good congee in T.O, and the soup here was excellent. The Vermicelli was fresh, light tasting, full of flavour, generous portion of plump shrimp and soft Chicken. Food was ready in 15 minutes (for takeout), staff was friendly and efficient, food was delicious and fresh, and we are going back with friends on the weekend!
I read this review and had to try the place, being as I've lived down the street for over a year and hadn't yet been. LOVE IT. Amazing super fresh food, huge portions, reasonable prices. Tonight's our fourth trip in just over a month and we hardly eat out.
I can't vouch for the congee since I've never had it before and am afraid to waste money, but I can vouch for the friend vermicelli (multiple types, all amazing), General Tao chicken (tasty!), Tiger Shrimp and Chicken in mango sauce (a little pricey but OMG good), the lemon chicken (so TANGY!), the honey garlic wings (enormous!!!), the shrimp wonton soup (loaded with shrimp and very filling)...
I really can't say enough good things. My favourite restaurant find in years!
RSS