Reviews consistently praise Kan Bei for authentic Sichuan flavors, bold heat, generous portions, and quick service, with many calling it the best Chinese restaurant in Montreal and noting freshness and reliability over years. Dishes frequently highlighted include mapo tofu, boiled fish in chili oil, twice cooked pork, spicy cumin lamb, kung pao, and crispy noodles with shrimp, and other favorites such as garlic fried ribs and cabbage, while a few items were described as overly oily, bland, or overly sweet with some texture or salt balance concerns. Service is repeatedly described as friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere as warm and inviting, though some diners find the space sparse, the lighting chilly, the tables cheap, or the kitchen noise audible. Location notes include proximity to Centre Bell and a newer Peel Street location, with reviewers saying portions and price offer good value even if some find it a bit pricey for the amount. Overall Kan Bei comes across as a reliable, flavorful spot for authentic Chinese cuisine, popular with regulars and groups, delivering strong dishes and consistent quality amid occasional menu inconsistencies.
I'm no expert on the Canadian version of Chinese food so take that into account. The place is sparse & cold feeling. Cheap tables. You basically hear everything going on in the kitchen. Food was pretty bland & overly sweet for both of our meals. Lunch special was a decent price. Food was served very haphazardly. One soup. Then eventually another soup. Then one entree. Then a long wait. Then the second entree. Not very conducive to a nice lunch outing. Just alright. Nothing more.
Pretty obviously the best Chinese restaurant in Montreal, though perhaps a little more expensive than some almost-as-good options (e.g. Aunt Dai or Chez Chili).
Omg thecabbage dish! In all the years I've lived on this earth, this is the most flavourful yet simple way of creating this dish. The garlic fried ribs were awesome too. Light airy & crispy. It was also very flavourful. The noodles lacked a little bit of flavour but I liked the chewy wide noodles a lot. The beef dish lacked a bit of flavour. It smelled great but it wasn't flavourful. The green beans tasted a litttlllee undercooked & compared for the cabbage dish, it was just ok.
Kan Bei is a fantastic spot for authentic & flavorful Chinese food! The portions are generous, the presentation is beautiful, & the taste is absolutely delicious. We tried the crispy noodles with shrimp & vegetables - the shrimp were fresh & juicy, the veggies perfectly cooked, & the sauce tied everything together with amazing flavor & texture.
We also had the Kung Pao-style dish with rice, & it was packed with flavor - tender bites, crunchy peanuts, & just the right balance of sweet & spicy. Every bite felt fresh & satisfying.
The service was friendly & quick, & the atmosphere is warm & inviting, making it a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family. Definitely one of the best spots in the area for authentic Chinese cuisine.
I've known this place since its previous location on Clark street, this new location is very cool & spacious! The food is always a hit when I come here (they have the BEST poached fish in hot chili soup I've ever had). I've come here with groups (7-8) as well as just three people, & we've always been super satisfied. 100% would recommend!
Excellent food, good service, lovely kind people. We really enjoyed coming to this place..! If we come back to Montreal you will be seeing us again 😊..! Thank you..!
Sep 6, 2025
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Fantastic authentic Chinese restaurant! I have been coming frequently & the taste is great! I haven't been living in Montreal for 6 years & the taste is still as good as it used to be! Thank you very much! ❤?❤?❤?
The sautéed cabbage is the best I have ever tasted when dining at a northern chinese restaurant. The salty,sweet,spicy, & sour flavors were perfectly balanced.
We ate at this restaurant three times already & it has been consistently good!
We ordered spicy cold tofu, sautéed cabbage, green beans with pork, beef chow mein with black bean sauce, spicy deep fried chicken.
Highly recommend trying this restaurant. We will be back when we come to Montreal again.
