Oncle Lee serves a refined selection of Szechuan and Chinese cuisine focusing on authentic spice profiles and traditional preparation methods. The menu features complex flavor combinations such as mapo tofu, crispy chili chicken, and various hand-pulled noodle dishes that showcase deep culinary roots. Diners encounter a bold approach to heat where peppercorns and aromatic oils create a distinct numbing sensation characteristic of regional Asian cooking. The environment maintains a functional design that highlights the artistry of the food while ensuring efficiency for all guests. Fresh seasonal vegetables and high-quality protein sources form the foundation of each meticulously prepared plate served in this vibrant setting. This establishment delivers consistent quality through techniques that emphasize balance, texture, and technical precision in every component of the expansive menu.
Oncle Lee is widely celebrated as a vibrant Montreal gem, offering an imaginative and delicious fusion of Chinese-inspired cuisine that consistently delights diners. Many visitors highlight the five-spice duck, crispy salmon rice cakes, and umami-rich mushrooms as standout dishes that showcase culinary creativity and high-quality execution. The atmosphere is frequently described as cozy, trendy, and inviting, with a beautiful interior and a highly sought-after terrace perfect for a memorable evening. Above all, the service receives recurring praise for being exceptionally warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, contributing significantly to a welcoming experience. While some guests suggest exploring the menu for shared plates to ensure a satisfying portion size, the majority agree that the restaurant delivers a sophisticated and flavourful experience that justifies a return visit.
The sesame noodles & eggplant were a bit above average but together they made a surprisingly nice combination. I loved the way the eggplant was cooked to perfection & the sauce was delicious. My main complaint is the bacon wasn't necessary but they said it was for saltiness. The peanuts on the eggplant were out of place too but went well when mixed with the sesame noodles. Maybe the peanuts should go on the sesame noodles instead but I think they should have been smaller pieces. When I gave my feedback about the eggplant to the waiter he offered to take it back at no charge but I didn't want to waste food because it wasn't bad. The service was really good the whole time & the restaurant was beautiful.
I came back & had both types of oysters : black bean & the yuzu mignonette. Both delicious & high quality but expensive. 10 oysters for $50.. still, I don't regret trying them
The chili oil cucumber salad & the tofu dip made a great combo! The tofu dip is insanely good & the chips it comes with are fun. You can pair them with the cucumber if you have some leftover & it helps cut the spiciness
Absolutely love this place! The food was delicious, the service was great, we got the hotpot & it was so fun to do with friends!! Highly recommend! The eggplant dish was also spectacular!
I had a wonderful dinner experience at Oncle Lee on Laurier. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with genuine warmth & positive energy. The hostess was friendly & guided us to our table with a smile.
The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, with a cozy atmosphere & elegant red accents. One thing I really appreciated was that, despite the open kitchen concept, there was no lingering food smell in the dining room.
The service was outstanding. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, & took the time to explain the menu & answer our questions.
To start, I ordered the spicy salmon on rice cake, & it was absolutely delicious. The contrast between the crispy rice cake & the fresh, tender salmon was perfectly balanced.
For my main course, I had the sweet & sour eggplant, topped with fresh coriander & crunchy peanuts. The portions are moderate, so if you have a big appetite, I'd recommend ordering a few dishes to share & enjoy more of the menu.
To finish, I ordered the pain perdu, & it was absolutely delicious.
Overall, everything exceeded my expectations. The prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the food, the attentive service, & the overall experience. The staff regularly checked on us, cleared empty plates promptly, & made us feel genuinely cared for throughout the evening.
I highly recommend Oncle Lee if you're looking for flavorful food, excellent service, & a cozy atmosphere in Montreal.
Jul 5, 2026
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Really enjoyed our experience here. Walked in at 8 pm on a Tuesday & were sat no problem. Service is fast & attentive!
We got the duck, sesame noodles & eggplant.
Duck platter was a great experience, with complimentary refills of the side sauces & veggie filling.
Sesame noodles on their own were just okay, but pared with the eggplant added much needed texture variety & punchy flavour.
We left full & satisfied!
Montreal always feels to be a lively city. Dining at Oncle Lee Ouest seemed especially vibrant. The service was prompt & attentive not just by our waiter but by other staff waiting in the wings offering support such as offering to bring second cocktail drink.
To start we had the curred salmon, bao & wonton soup to fight of the Mtl chill 😎. Salmon had a sublte tang & with the sharp bite of the ginger. along with bao. The wonton soup did not have your typical chicken broth to accompany the dumplings. The broth was dark containing an explosion of flavours. Notes of star anise & bay leaves along with chili pepper base with strong sesame flavour coming through to warm you up. a great introduction to what was to come.
For the mains we had ( as recommended) the sesame noodles, garlic rice & sweet & sour eggplant. Comfort food taken to the hilt. The noodles had a slightly spicy essence delicate texture but firm to the bite. Eggplant was silky with a great peanut crunch & garlic rice fluffy, full of flavour & comfort with a slight moistness. Will definitely be returning to discover more. Well recommended.
It is very interesting to see their creative takes on traditional dishes. However, I feel like because we know what the traditional way of preparing the food tastes like, the food here was a bit less appealing to us. The food itself was good & flavourful but I feel like the combination of flavours are not as good. The sauces were not complementing the duck as well as it could be & the tender meat did not create that variation in texture compared to the crispy skin of the duck in the traditional way of preparing this dish. The cucumber was also not properly marinated which was definitely less appetizing than the sweet & sour eggplant that had a great flavour profile. On the other hand, I really enjoyed their French toast dessert with red bean paste & ice cream. The sweetness was just right & the different flavours complemented each other so well. The service here was friendly but since they were so busy, I feel like they were a bit slow most of the time. It took them quite a while before bringing us our water & our drinks as well. The restaurant was packed with customers which made the place so lively & enjoyable but our tables were so small that the waiter couldn't put all the food we had ordered on the table. The food itself is priced a bit expensive. While the portions are decent, the side dishes are around 12$ a plate & the duck is 55$. Even though they are quite filling, I feel like some other restaurants do offer better tasting cucumber salads for half the price.
I had a fantastic experience at Oncle Lee last week & will definitely be returning. The menu is outstanding, every dish we tried was packed with flavour & beautifully executed. The plates are designed for sharing, & unlike some other share-style restaurants, the portions were generous & satisfying.
Our favourites were the ribs & the eggplant - both were absolutely unforgettable. I'll be dreaming about them until my next visit!
Service was equally impressive: well-paced, attentive, & never rushed. We dined indoors, but I can imagine the terrace would be a great vibe in the summer. Highly recommend!
What a lovely treat to dine at Oncle Lee. The staff was extremely attentive to guests' needs. I felt well hosted & given enough alone time to catch up with my group of gals. The food served was delicate & delicious - we opted for mostly vegetarian options & really enjoyed the fried rice, eggplant dish & the tofu dip is so so unique (a must try!). Left with a happy belly.
I have been to Cadet a few times & very much enjoyed the food. When I heard of Oncle Lee, a Chinese joint with ties to the aforementioned restaurant & Bouillion Bulk, I couldn't resist. & folks, the experience did not disappoint. TLDR: Get a reservation! This place is excellent & I am a tough critic. Context: Four of us shared 8 plates & a few cocktails. Company was a former colleague & our +1s. Food: Well priced, perfect portion sizes. The menu is tight - every item has its role & there is something for everyone. Special callout for the spicy noodles, ribs & the eggplant dish. All the dishes were great, but those three really stood out. The portion sizes are important here because one could certainly over-indulge in some of these rich flavors. Dishes were portioned just right. Service: prompt, friendly, strong knowledge of the menu. Our server clearly knew his stuff. The menu is more complex than some, & he had no issue explaining ingredients, the specials, dishes or cocktails. Atmosphere: moody, busy but not overwhelming, music choice & volume was just right. A relatively small place; Oncle Lee has an atmospheric dining room which evolved over our dinner. The lights were turned down as the night went on & the mood definitely entices one to stay for one last round. The decor is subtle & suitable. There is a nice balance between recognizable Chinese aesthetics & trendy themes one expects in the Plateau area. Music volume was just right. Enough to maintain the atmosphere but never overbearing. All in all, excellent. Give Oncle Lee a try, it's unlikely to disappoint.
