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 restaurant—originally opened by his grandfather in 1947—alongside his parents, says that the reactions from customers help remind him how special the ambience is. “For me, going into the restaurant is just another day, but when I hear people’s 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.” 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. “Customers 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.”
Of course, a good restaurant needs good food to be memorable. Among the standout dishes of Chinese food is the dry spicy chicken—a customer favourite for decades—made with a secret housemade fragrant salt blend. It’s also a nostalgic nod to Chicken for Lunch, a restaurant run by Amy, Quon’s mother, which closed in 2024 after 32 years. “It has a cult following, and we bring it to Taste of Edmonton every year,” Quon says. “It’s definitely the star of the menu.” Some other customer favourites can’t be found on the menu—there 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. “When 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,” Quon says.
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. “I held out for a long time,” Quon admits. “But we had to pivot. It’s not the same as chatting with customers directly, and I miss the phone calls, but it’s part of keeping the business alive.”
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. “As a third-generation restaurant, we’re 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,” Quon says. “My parents and I are very blessed by the support Edmonton has given us.”
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. “We’ve built relationships so deep that when customers pass away, we send flowers and condolences,” Quon says. “That kind of connection is rare. When’s the last time a chain restaurant did that?”
For those yet to visit, the invitation is simple: “Come in, check it out. It’s an experience. You’ll find incredible food, a nostalgic atmosphere, and a family that truly cares. The Lingnan isn’t just a restaurant—it’s part of Edmonton’s heart. We’re as Edmonton as Edmonton can be.”
