A cornerstone of the culinary community
Walking into The Lingnan restaurant is like stepping back in time. The decor, largely unchanged since the restaurant moved to its current location in 1962, includes ornate gold ceilings, arches, and vintage lanterns. Miles Quon, who runs the restaurantโoriginally opened by his grandfather in 1947โalongside his parents, says that the reactions from customers help remind him how special the ambience is. โFor me, going into the restaurant is just another day, but when I hear peopleโs comments or look at photos people take, it helps to look at it through fresh eyes and gives me the opportunity to reflect on what this restaurant means to people after all these years.โ Customers will bring old menus, matchbooks and other memorabilia from the restaurant for the Quons to admire. Some end up back in the restaurant, and lots are donated to the Royal Alberta Museum for safekeeping and preservation.
As a small, family-run business, the Quons are front and centre, making every decision and tending to customers. โCustomers will see my mom at the front chatting with kids, or in the back packing orders. I may be taking food to the table, or taking orders over the phone. My mom, dad and I do everything.โย
Of course, a good restaurant needs good food to be memorable. Among the standout dishes of Chinese food is the dry spicy chickenโa customer favourite for decadesโmade with a secret housemade fragrant salt blend. Itโs also a nostalgic nod to Chicken for Lunch, a restaurant run by Amy, Quonโs mother, which closed in 2024 after 32 years. โIt has a cult following, and we bring it to Taste of Edmonton every year,โ Quon says. โItโs definitely the star of the menu.โ Some other customer favourites canโt be found on the menuโthere are dishes that the Quons took off the menu decades ago, but longtime customers will still order them and the Quons find a way to make it for them. โWhen I was younger I would try to push new dishes, but I realized that people come to my restaurant for nostalgia, for their family time, or because their parents and grandparents took them to the restaurant,โ Quon says.ย
For nearly 80 years, The Lingnan has been a cornerstone of the community where families create lasting memories over these flavourful dishes. While staying true to their roots, the Quon family acknowledges the necessity of adapting to the times. The Lingnan now partners with third-party delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash to meet modern delivery expectations so customers can enjoy their favourite dishes in the comfort of their homes. โI held out for a long time,โ Quon admits. โBut we had to pivot. Itโs not the same as chatting with customers directly, and I miss the phone calls, but itโs part of keeping the business alive.โ
During a time where food costs are rising and struggling restaurants close their doors, The Lingnan continues to thrive thanks to its loyal customers who continue to introduce new fans. โAs a third-generation restaurant, weโre very lucky to be in a position where we can focus on customers and food quality and innovation, rather than trying to keep the lights on,โ Quon says. โMy parents and I are very blessed by the support Edmonton has given us.โย
The connection between The Lingnan and its patrons is deeply personal, and the Quons pay it forward to the customers who have supported their restaurant over the years. โWeโve built relationships so deep that when customers pass away, we send flowers and condolences,โ Quon says. โThat kind of connection is rare. Whenโs the last time a chain restaurant did that?โย
For those yet to visit, the invitation is simple: โCome in, check it out. Itโs an experience. Youโll find incredible food, a nostalgic atmosphere, and a family that truly cares. The Lingnan isnโt just a restaurantโitโs part of Edmontonโs heart. Weโre as Edmonton as Edmonton can be.โ
Places To Be
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