The Lingnan

I don’t generally enjoy Chinese food, at least the type generally sold in North America, because I find it so greasy and it makes me sick. Although lingnan’s food is still typical deep fried and greasy, I actually find a lot of it quite tasty, to the point I actually ordered Chinese food a second time in a couple months!

Just say Gluten Free and start chowing down. Ginger beef or chicken, peaches & cream shrimp… allll delectable treats. Be prepared for leftovers… we love having extra for the next day!
Really, sit down and tell them what you’d like, and if you don’t want celery, ask for no celery — they want you to be happy and eat what you like! They have gluten free soy sauce… yes, they can *almost* make anything your stomach desires.
The service here always blows me away, party of 2 or 200, they can look after you. Owners are in the house usually, and often greeting the guests at the door.
Don’t forget take-​out. Most often it’s how we grab our Lingnan fix. =)
And don’t park across the street — check the signs. With the construction of the Arena District right down the street, it’s sure to be one popular place after events.

cracked chicken, different and delish. service is exceptional, yeah it has the 80’s feel, great decade, watch out for the singing birthday. the older gentleman whom served us was sarcastic and funny… loved this guy reminded me of family. the food you can’t do any better… usually delivery always hot and fast… but dining in is an experience too. yeah take a child and they’re spoiled. thank you for the lovey time and the largest bowl of wonton soup ever.

Hands down the best Canadian Chinese that you will ever have. Believe the hype. Lingnan is consistently better than everyone else, both in terms of food and service. Try it!

Ate here last night, making it the third time I’ve been here. It was just as great as the other two times. The food was delicious, and they have the best chicken balls I’ve ever had.
The only thing I find a little off putting is the number of waitstaff that are sort of just walking around aimlessly waiting for your water glass to be half full so they can top it up. At one point we had three waiters all reaching over each other to fill our drinks which weren’t even half gone.
Other than that it’s a great place. The interior is like stepping into a fancy movie set. Very clean and authentic with a cheerful and fun environment. Great food, quick service, definitely recommend this place.

This place reminds me every Chinese restaurant I went to as a kid — lamps, fish tank, lattice — it was great! My teenagers loved it. No, the food is not challenging or unique. Their definition of «spicy» is on the tepid side. All of that said, we loved the green onion cakes, crispy chicken and schezuan beef. Basically, white people Chinese comfort food. The service was impeccable. Some nights we venture into Chinatown and try something new. But if you aren’t up to that challenge, you won’t go wrong at The Lingnan.

Ordered take out yesterday from Lingnan yesterday for the first time, was very good, not too greasy. Menu is western style Chinese food but the basic dishes we ordered were tasty.

Best Chinese food I’ve found in Edmonton. Fabulous staff excellent quality in every bite they prepare. The owner even brought us out Chinese mini donut… MMMMMM

Quon Dynasty/​Family Restaurant Reality show filmed here so we made sure we came for dinner while visiting Edmonton. We were warmly greeted by Kinman. Too bad the rest of the Quon dynasty was not in.
Food was good large portions. But the friendly service was so impressive. Complimentary Shirley temples for the kids and some fancy chop sticks. Once we told Kinman we were fan of the show he graciously chatted and took photos with us. Definitely a must stop in Edmonton if you have seen the show.

I have always placed an order for delivery from home., it was always good but…
Recently I went here to eat in the dining area instead. I ordered multiple things off the menu (and one that wasn’t; beef and tomato chow mein), and everything I put in my mouth was amazing, the spring rolls are to die for and of course Amy’s famous chicken!, everyone was so polite and helpful and on top of service! This is by far the best Chinese food I have ever eaten here, don’t let the location or the older style scare you off, there’s a reason it’s been here that long…

Visiting The Lingnan is like a quick trip back to 1989 for me.
My parents would often take me to a place like this where we’d get sweet and sour pork, and the chicken that comes with those little deep fried colorful chips. Does this restaurant hold up today?
Today in 2015, they still serve amazing lemon chicken, and feature drinks like Harvey Wallbangers, tequila sunrises and planters punch.
Walking into The Lingnan, with their waiters in traditional Chinese outfits, is like walking into an amusement park called «Western Chinese Restaurant». I’m not going to write about the authentic quality of it’s Chinese food (it’s not) but instead I’ll write about it’s targeted clientele and feel of The Lingnan.
The Lingnan obviously caters to one group. When I was there, the restaurant was half full and besides the servers, there were no Chinese people anywhere else. It was just me, and another couple who were at the birthday dinner we attended. The rest of the room had the type of demographics you would see on a cruise to the Panama canal with a 4pm Lunch buffet featuring the Golden Tones of Pat Boone and the Chickadees.
The table are all set with a fork and knife, no chopsticks here, unless you ask. They serve Shanghai noodles without the hot sauce, which is pretty much a given anywhere else, and the tea is a very mild tea.
The average age of the diners are 50+, and I can see why. No confusing Chinese on the menu, amusing uniformed Chinese staff, and perfect service.
Prices and portions are also are not a good value, at roughly $ 30 a plate, this restaurant is 20% more expensive than an equivalent restaurant.
The Lingnan isn’t a bad restaurant, but with today being 2015 and a birth of a foodie culture there isn’t much the Lingnan is offering that can’t be found any mall food court. They serve the tastiest, cleanest and best version of Lemon Chicken I’ve ever had in Edmonton, but at the end of the day, it’s Lemon chicken.
Pros: What got it 3 stars
Great Service
Clean. This is especially relevant for a Chinese restaurant.
The best mall Chinese food in the city
Lots of parking even though it’s near downtown
Cons: What lost it 2 stars
Culturally not relevant and Tacky
Overpriced
Not worth your time eating here, unless you want Mall Chinese Food.
Conclusion: If you have out of town guests who ask you to take them for a «Chinese Buffet» or a place with «Good Safe Chinese Food» take them here, especially if they are over 50. Otherwise skip The Lingnan, unless you want a pleasant trip to 1989.
#yegyelp #yelpyeg #worsthermitever #chinesefood #thelingnan

The best Chinese Food in Edmonton. We order the same dishes every time. Very consistent, delicious food. Lemon chicken, beef and broccoli, tomato beef fried rice sweet and sour pork, pea pods and pork, Won ton soup and egg rolls. Often we go for a birthday celebration and their version of the «Happy Birthday» song is the best! Love to go, you won’t be disappointed. Say hi to Wilson, our favourite waiter (who has been there forever).

New to the city and wanted to make a tradition to have chinese food every Christmas Eve. The food was absolutely amazing and the portions were a very good size.
We ordered a combo for 2, with 2 egg rolls, some deep fried wontons and some lemon chicken for pick-​up! The customer service was great and the lady over the phone was very helpful for our first time ordering. The man who gave us our food once we arrived was very polite and fast to have our food ready and out the door.
The egg rolls were different, massive and packed tight with… egg roll stuff. However, the egg rolls were the only thing we didn’t care for but to each his own! We received a huge box of wontons which was nice compared to other places we’ve eaten at. As for the lemon chicken and combo for 2, the food was amazing!
We will definitely be going back again whichever the next occasion might be… hopefully New Year’s Eve!
Amazing food, great service, what else can you ask for.

Finally got around to trying the Lingnan on friday. We live on the southside so usually hit up Happy Garden or somewhere else, but decided to make the trek across the river — very glad we did.
The food is quite tasty and the portions are large. The two of us ordered three dishes and left quite full with enough leftovers for breakfast.
The flavour was a bit subdued, but a welcome change to the over-​flavoured taste you get with «shopping mall Chinese food».
BUT the best reason to come here is the décor and the staff.
Between the busyboys and ((I assume) the owners, we were well taken care of. I’d almost say overly friendly, but it was nice that the staff was so pleasant and checking in on us throughout our meal.
The interior has to be my favorite part. It is dark with mainly a red and gold décor with lots of fixtures/​decorations giving it an almost retro vibe. The Lingnan reminds me of the places my parents took me to back in the 70’s, when I was a little kid.
My favorite part? As soon as I saw the placemats, I was instantly taken back 30 years! A list of the available cocktails and what’s in them, and all pictured — I wanted to take one home and frame it. I just need a home bar to put it over.

I’m a big fan of The Lingnan. Whenever I feel like what i call «white-​people Chinese food» this is generally my first choice. The quality of the food is excellent and my understanding is that they don’t use MSG, which is a huge deal for me. BUT, this is not the place to go if you’re looking for an authentic Chinese meal. Every Chinese New Year I go out to a proper Chinese restaurant with Taiwanese family friends and have a traditional 10+ course meal, and it’s extremely different. However, sometimes I’m just in the mood for some ginger beef and this is pretty much the only place I go to satiate that desire.
The restaurant itself is gorgeous as well and it’s quite something to look at from the inside. It’s also very large and has a combination of large circular tables and the standard rectangular ones. So it’s a pretty cool experience although it’s a very popular place to go. They do take out and delivery too, but be prepared for some long wait times if you’re ordering from home. Just plan ahead.

Hooo-​Leee-​Craaaap. This is good food.
I’ve ordered from The Lingnan before but thanks to all you Unilocalers I ordered delivery tonight and got the Crack Chicken (Dry Spicy Chicken). I’m on my way to rehab now because I’ve got crack chicken all over my face and I can’t get the stains off my arm where I tried to inject it.
Also ordered the mixed Chow Mein and Gai-​Lan (Chinese broccoli in garlic sauce) which I’m not sure if it’s on the menu but ask for it… it is awesome.
I don’t care that this place was featured on TV shows etc. All I care about it great quality food and this place is it.
5 stars.

We came here for my in-​laws anniversary. They say the décor hasn’t changed in many years but it is very festive. They have a big menu full of variety. At first when I saw the prices I thought it was kinda pricey because at Chinese restaurants in Hawaii dishes are half that price. However when they arrived they were pretty big portions. Everything was hot, fresh and had good flavor. My favorite was the Szechuan beef. The peaches and cream with the shrimp was a little sweet for me. The service was timely and staff were friendly. Overall, would come again.

I’ve eaten from their food truck many times, and have truly enjoyed Chicken for Lunch as well as the delivery food from there that others have shared with me at their events. I’ve only visited the restaurant in person once and I was not disappointed. A true Edmonton institution, The Lingnan features attentive servers, delicious food, and an expansive menu. Certainly prices may be more than one might expect from a comparable Chinese restaurant, but the quality makes up for any price difference.
When I went we had the Deluxe Dinner for Two (as it was both a good deal and a good way to not have to make decisions). It was definitely enough food for both of us and enough leftovers for another meal entirely. I want to go back and have the fancier dinner there someday, but as it is I was quite pleased with my experience and will recommend the Lingnan to anyone who wants some good Chinese food in Edmonton.

It all began with the «Taste of Edmonton» I have been a patron of the Lingnan for many years now. They have a dish that is unique to only them that I haven’t seen any of the other Chinese restaurants in the city serve, «Dry Spicy Chicken». The family fondly refers to it as «Crack Chicken» when it is out on the food truck.
The Lingnan has been in Edmonton since 1947. The family has been featured on «Family Restaurant» and «The Quon Dynasty» on the Food Network.
There are four different incarnations of the Lingnan; three different restaurant locations and a food truck. I have never had a bad experience in all the years that I have been going to them.
The main restaurant has been in the same spot since 1963. There isn’t much around it, and it doesn’t look remarkable from the outside. Go inside and be surprised! They have a huge tank full of Koi in the front entrance, and the restaurant is opulent on the inside. The traditional Chinese Dragons are common in the patterns of the décor. The staff wear the traditional Tang jackets and look so sharp!
I went on Valentine’s Day at the last minute without a reservation and we were able to get a table. (Phew!) Our server, Justin, was just fantastic.
I highly recommend ordering from the «Chef’s Gourmet Special Menu».
We have always enjoyed our visits to the Lingnan. They have a great take-​out menu if the wait for delivery or restaurant seating is too long. They are popular, you may want to phone ahead.

I find this place completely over-​priced for what you get.
I know it’s a popular place because it debuted on TV or something but I feel like over $ 50 for Chinese food is a bit excessive.
The food is tasty don’t get me wrong I just think that there are other places you can go with the same quality that aren’t as pricy.
I don’t know if I’ll order from here again because I don’t feel like shelling out that kind of cash for a take-​out meal.