The most common question my aunties and parents ask when I visit is, “Have you eaten?” And regardless of the hour, or how insistently I assure them I have, dishes will inevitably start materializing on the table, even if it’s just some sliced fruit. Or, in an oft told anecdote, a frozen pizza when my cousins and I went to my auntie’s at midnight for an impromptu visit.
But isn’t that a little late to be asking if someone has eaten? Well, that brings us to the revered late-night snack, and one of my favourite things, siu yeh.
Siu yeh translates to “late-night snack,” and the tradition is woven into Hong Kong’s food culture, where meals don’t necessarily end with dinner. Well past midnight, the streets are still buzzing with night markets, karaoke bars and restaurants or food stalls serving up special late-night menus. Siu yeh might be what you go for after a late shift, a dizzying night out or when you’re in such good company that you’re not ready to call it a night.
Opened in 2024, Edmonton restaurant, Siuyeh, is an homage to this culture. The entrance is filled with nods to Hong Kong nostalgia and pop culture, and being greeted by a sticker that reads “Have you eaten?” gave me such a flutter of delight.
Stepping inside feels a little like being welcomed to someone’s dinner party. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, and the owners, Michael Lam and Chef Hanson Chung, often make their rounds to greet guests and stop for a chat. The energy can get boisterous as the evening wears on, so if you’re after a quiet conversation, this might not be your spot. But if you enjoy conviviality, you’ll feel at home.
The menu is designed for sharing, with small plates, snacks and skewers that encourage you to order a little bit of everything, which I did. There are familiar Chinese flavours alongside playful interpretations inspired by different Asian cuisines.
If you’re looking for a taste of Hong Kong street-food nostalgia, the HK Curry Fish Balls and various grilled skewers have your name on them. The Chicken Skins and deep-fried Enoki Mushrooms have my heart. I’d also recommend the Smashed Cucumber Salad for something fresh to balance out the richer, deep-fried dishes. Other options include Lotus Roots, tossed in chili oil, soy and vinegar, and smoky Grilled Eggplant with garlic.
There are some more creative fusion dishes. Beef Shank Tacos pair braised beef with tangy soy coleslaw, cucumber, cilantro and hoisin aioli. The Mapo Chili Fries combine the savoury heat of mapo tofu with the indulgence of loaded fries, minced pork and melted cheese. A bonus for the late night diners with dietary restrictions: Siuyeh’s entire menu is free of gluten and peanuts.
The playful vibe infuses the cocktail menu, too, with drinks like Baby We Cant(a)-eloupe (a vodka and fruit syrup concoction) and Me So Old Fashioned (if you’re curious about coconut-washed toki whisky and miso cane syrup).
Siuyeh isn’t recreating a traditional Hong Kong late-night menu, but it’s capturing the spirit of the tradition. It’s a new and fun celebration of a different style of Chinese food and culture. So, the next time I ask, or am asked, “Have you eaten?” during a late-night visit, the response might just be, “Want to go for siu yeh?”
Siuyeh
Strathcona Industrial Park | 3709 Gateway Blvd NW, Edmonton | siuyehyeg.com
