Eating Chinese food and going to see a movie on Christmas day has long been a tradition for Jewish people residing in Canada and the United States. According to popular lore, the tradition originated on the East side of Manhattan. As Tablet points out, Matthew Goodman, author of Jewish Food: The World at Table, claims it began in the 1950s. Jews favoured Chinese food over other culinary choices available during Christmas, Goodman says, since Asian cooking style resonated with them. Besides, aren’t wonton soup and kreplach soup pretty much the same thing?
In Toronto, Chinese food and a movie on Christmas is ingrained in contemporary Jewish culture, and for good reason: nothing else is open. Sure, nowadays, you can chill and watch Netflix, or make food at home and spend the day with loved ones. But for purists, nothing beats a meal of dim sum, fried noodles, kreplach wonton soup, and General Tso’s chicken, before seeing a flick of your choosing. Thanks to Star Wars, this year the choice is fairly obvious, unless you’ve seen it already.
Regarding your culinary destination, however, finding the right Chinese restaurant on Christmas isn’t easy, particularly since most of them stay open. That’s why, after much research and even more eating, we’ve come up with ten choices scattered across the Greater Toronto Area that will undoubtedly serve you a proper Jewish Christmas feast. We even know their holiday hours of operation so you can plan your day in advance.
Note: we do include a vegetarian option in the list if you keep kosher-style. If you’re fully kosher, there’s one for you too.
Enjoy your day off.
Rol San at 323 Spadina Avenue, Toronto (Christmas hours: 9:00 a.m. – midnight)
Closest movie theatre: Scotiabank Theatre
Phoenix Restaurant at 7155 Woodbine Ave, Markham (Christmas hours: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
Closest movie theatre: Golden Theatres
Taste of China at 338 Spadina Avenue, Toronto (Christmas hours: 11:30 – 4:00AM)
Closest movie theatre: Scotiabank Theatre
Yang’s Fine Chinese Cuisine at 9665 Bayview Ave #30, Richmond Hill (Christmas hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Closest movie theatre: Silver City Richmond Hill
Swatow at 309 Spadina Avenue, Toronto (Christmas hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2 a.m.)
Closest movie theatre: Scotiabank Theatre
Dayali Beijing Roast Duck at 20 Gibson Drive, Markham (Christmas hours: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
Closest movie theatre: Cineplex Cinemas Markham
Greens Vegetarian Restaurant at 638 Dundas Street West (Christmas hours: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.)
Closest movie theatre: Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas
Legend Chinese Restaurant at 5 Glen Cameron Road, Thornhill (Christmas hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Closest movie theatre: Rainbow Cinemas Promenade
Congee Queen at 2930 Steeles Ave East, Thornhill and other locations (Christmas hours: 10:30 a.m. – midnight)
Closest movie theatre: Cineplex VIP Cinemas
Dragon Boat Fusion Cuisine at 160 East Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill (Christmas hours: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.)
Closest movie theatre: Silver City Richmond Hill
And one more for good luck:
Golden Chopsticks (Glatt Kosher) at 7000 Bathurst Street, Thornhill (Christmas hours: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.)
Closest theatre: Rainbow Cinemas Promenade
