Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine
Kensington-Cedar Cottage, Vancouver
Restaurant in Vancouver, Canada
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine is a practical Kingsway pick for a relaxed Vietnamese-leaning meal in Vancouver, especially when ease matters more than awards, tasting menus, or a downtown scene. It suits casual lunch, weeknight dinner, small-group plans; avoid Tuesday, expect a lower-pressure experience than the city's pricier occasion restaurants.
About Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine
In Vancouver, the useful question is whether Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine fits the kind of meal you are planning. The public details are limited, but they do establish a casual dress code and a schedule that runs from 11 AM on most open days, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Treat it as a practical Vancouver option rather than a venue to judge by awards, chef profiles, tasting formats, or published price tiers.
Use it for a relaxed meal, not a high-stakes occasion
The clearest case for choosing Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine is simplicity. The dress code is casual, the listed hours are Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun from 11 AM–9 PM, with Fri and Sat from 11 AM–11 PM. Tuesday is closed. With no awards, chef profile, tasting format, menu specifics, or price tier available, the safer read is direct: go when the priority is an easy Vancouver meal, not when the table needs to impress a client or anchor a major celebration.
The schedule also makes timing the main planning detail. Because the venue opens at 11 AM on most operating days, it can fit earlier plans as well as evening ones, Friday and Saturday run later than the other open days, which may help if the group is planning a less rushed evening.
Who should choose this over a bigger-name Vancouver table
Pick Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine when the group values ease over ceremony. It is a weaker fit for diners comparing credentials, beverage programs, chef-led formats, or named signature dishes. That is not a criticism; it simply sets the right expectation. The grounded appeal is a casual Vancouver venue with clearly listed hours.
If the night needs a stronger occasion signal, compare it with another Vancouver dining room whose public details better match that purpose. If the plan is a casual meal with less advance effort, Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine may be the more sensible call. The practical read: avoid Tuesday and use the later Friday and Saturday hours when helpful.
Planning details
- Location
- 2172 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5N 2T5, Canada
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- haichiem.ca
- Phone
- +16042130999
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Hai Chi Em presents a contemporary, considered take on Vietnamese cuisine that reads more like a small design-minded kitchen than a traditional neighbourhood pho spot. The restaurant leans into modern technique and careful sourcing while keeping its atmosphere approachable—positioning itself in a middle register between casual community kitchens and formal tasting-menu rooms. On Kingsway it feels purposeful: the name signals intent, the menu signals craft, and the result is a sophisticated-yet-accessible place where editorial ambition meets everyday dining.
Best For
Hai Chi Em works equally well for midday meals and evening dining, reflecting the neighbourhood's "lunch-to-dinner" rhythm. Its accessible price point and relaxed atmosphere make it a natural choice for families and groups looking to share plates, while the kitchen's technical focus keeps it interesting for diners seeking contemporary Vietnamese cooking. Expect a setting that supports casual hangouts and communal meals rather than formal occasions—ideal for weekday lunches, weekend dinners with friends, or family outings that want thoughtful food without fuss.
Ordering Tips
When you order, lean into the kitchen's signature items: the Bún bò Huế and the spicy beef short-rib noodle soup showcase its approach to hearty, spiced broths, while the Gỏi bưởi tôm thịt (grapefruit, shrimp and pork salad) offers bright contrast. The deep-fried squid is a sharable fried course that pairs well with the soups; given the restaurant's group- and family-friendly stance, plan to order a mix of soups, a fresh salad, and a fried dish to pass around.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bright and modern with contemporary decor; features the Vietnamese motto 'Khong no, khong ve' (not full, not going home) on the wall, creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Bún bò Huế
- Gỏi bưởi tôm thịt
- Deep fried squid
- Spicy beef short rib noodle soup
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- New Mandarin Seafood Restaurant, $$$ · Chinese, $$$
- Osteria al Centro, Notable alternative
- Masayoshi, $$$$ · Japanese, $$$$
- Say Mercy!, Notable alternative
- Bravo, $$$ · Contemporary, $$$
Restaurant context
How it compares in Vancouver
New Mandarin Seafood Restaurant is the stronger choice for a classic Chinese banquet-style meal with a higher price signal, while Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine is the more casual Kingsway pick when the group wants a lower-ceremony Vietnamese-leaning meal. Choose New Mandarin for a larger occasion; choose Hai Chi Em when timing and access matter more.
Masayoshi sits in a different lane entirely: $$$$ Japanese dining with a much more serious occasion feel. If the night is meant to be a splurge, Masayoshi makes more sense. If the goal is a relaxed meal without the pressure of a high-cost booking, Hai Chi Em is the easier call. Bravo also reads more polished and contemporary at a $$$ level, making it a better fit for date-night energy than a casual weekday plan.
Osteria al Centro and Say Mercy! are better cross-shops when the group wants a Western dining format or a more social room. Hai Chi Em is the pick when Vietnamese food is the point and the group wants a simpler decision. For the broadest planning view, use Pearl's Vancouver restaurants guide before locking the night in.
Explore Vancouver
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine | Vancouver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| New Mandarin Seafood Restaurant | Vancouver | $$$ · Chinese | $$$ | 2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Osteria al Centro | Vancouver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Masayoshi | Vancouver | $$$$ · Japanese | $$$$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2862025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended |
| Say Mercy! | Vancouver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Bravo | Vancouver | $$$ · Contemporary | $$$ | Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 20262025 Michelin Plate |
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How Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine Vancouver compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine?
Review the current menu through the venue's official channels before planning around a particular item.
What should a first-timer know about Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine?
It is in Vancouver. Hours are Mon 11 AM–9 PM, Tue closed, Wed 11 AM–9 PM, Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri 11 AM–11 PM, Sat 11 AM–11 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM.
What should I wear to Hai Chi Em Modern Vietnamese Cuisine?
Keep it casual. The dress code is casual, so clean everyday clothes are appropriate.
