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 offers a vibrant, modern take on Asian fusion cuisine that leaves many guests impressed by the imaginative flavors and high-quality ingredients. The five spice duck platter and the spicy sesame noodles frequently stand out as must-try dishes, while the French toast dessert earns consistent praise as a perfect finale. Although the restaurant is highly regarded for its attentive service and lively, trendy atmosphere, some diners find the noise levels can be challenging and the pricing relatively high for the portion sizes provided. While a majority of visitors describe their experience as exceptional and memorable, a few guests have noted concerns regarding salt levels or inconsistent value, making it a destination best suited for those seeking a creative gastronomic experience rather than a budget-friendly meal.
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 service & place is very nice. Had the the tofu dip (8/10) & tartare (7.5) which were probably my favorites. The spicy noodles (7.5) & veggies (7.5) are good. Not a fan of this version of peking duck (6.5). The sauces, daikon, peanuts almost makes it taste like a banh mi instead of the traditional chinese duck.
Overall decent for a first time, but don't expect traditional taste.
Oncle Lee on Laurier is the kind of meal you keep thinking about long after you've left the table.
We started with fried calamari & shrimp - simple, but executed perfectly. Then scallops in XO sauce, & a ceviche so creamy & flavourful it stopped the conversation at the table. A strong opening act.
The spicy sesame noodles & garlic fried rice followed - both loved, both demolished. Fair warning: there's an aioli mayo on the rice that isn't for everyone. It wasn't for me. Didn't stop me from scraping every last grain.
Then came the highlight of the night: the five-spice duck platter. A refined spin on Peking duck - perfectly cooked duck breast served with pancakes, sauces, cilantro, peanuts, & chilli oil. Elegant & deeply satisfying. The kind of dish that justifies the trip on its own.
We finished with the pain perdu - French toast with ice cream. The right ending to a remarkable meal.
Michelin rated. The service is excellent & attentive throughout. If you're visiting Montréal, this is a non-negotiable stop.
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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!
Everything was very tasty, but the cucumber salad needed a touch more acidity. Sorry guys but I paid more than I could afford for that meal...it needed to be perfect. The noodles were perfect I must admit.
Had such a great experience at Oncle Lee! The food was absolutely delicious - the ribs were incredible & the spicy sesame noodles were easily one of my favorite dishes of the night. Everything we tried was full of flavor & clearly made with care.
The drinks were also fantastic, & the staff made the whole experience even better. Everyone was super friendly, attentive, & welcoming, which made the night feel relaxed & enjoyable.
I'd definitely recommend Oncle Lee for a dinner with friends or a date night. The atmosphere is lively & it seems to get busy - which makes sense because everything was perfect - so I recommend reserving in advance.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful.
We tried a variety of dishes from the menu & the ones that stood out were the salmon bites (appetizer) (8.5/10) & the miso mushrooms (9/10). We also tried the chow mein (6.5/10), the ribs with sweet sour sauce (7.5/10), the garlic fried vegetables (8/10) & the sesame spicy noodles (7/10).
The food was good & the price is reasonable (we were a group of four & shared everything). I did find that the food was too salty for my liking which hindered the flavors. I would highly recommend getting vegetables as it brings freshness & cuts the salt from other dishes. Note that the salmon bites are small, however I still recommend trying them out.
The service was great! I overall had high expectations for this restaurant & maybe should have picked dishes that were more varied to not get bored of the bold flavours.
Ordered the hot pot, spicy noodles & mushrooms. Very disappointed to receive a plate of soba noodles & mushrooms drowning in a sauce flavoured with burnt garlic. All the dishes created a meal of indistinguishable flavours. I like trying new places & this was a birthday dinner letdown.
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.
