Sea King Seafood Restaurant Merivale Review – Authentic Push Cart Dim Sum Worth Trying – Average EV Score: 5.9/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Sea King Seafood Restaurant Overview
1558 Merivale Rd, Nepean, ON K2G 4B5
Located on Merivale Road, Sea King Seafood Restaurant is one of the few dim sum restaurants in the Ottawa area that still uses push carts. This makes for a nostalgic and efficient experience — as soon as you’re seated, food is already circulating around the room, so you don’t have to wait long before eating.
It’s also a very busy restaurant, especially during peak lunch hours, so I strongly recommend making reservations. There is free parking available, though it fills up quickly. Inside, the dining room is bustling, with servers moving quickly between tables and carts weaving through the aisles.
The staff are generally friendly and efficient, ensuring you get dishes promptly. Overall, Sea King delivers a classic, lively dim sum atmosphere, and it feels like a nice addition to the Merivale dining strip.
Would return? Yes, especially for the push cart experience.
Dim Sum – BBQ Pork Buns
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $6
🎯 Benchmark Price: $5
📊 EV Score: 4.6/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
Decent, though the bun wasn’t as soft as I’d like. The filling of BBQ pork didn’t stand out, and I wished for a more generous portion.
Dim Sum – Deep Fried Savoury Triangles
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $7
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
These were solid. The pork filling was satisfying, and the exterior was crisp and well-fried, offering a nice textural contrast.
Dim Sum – Turnip Cakes
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $7
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again? Maybe.
The turnip cakes at Sea King were just okay. They could have been crispier, and there wasn’t much turnip flavour coming through. Serviceable but unremarkable.
Dim Sum – Deep Fried Shrimp Rolls
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $7
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
A stronger dish. The shrimp rolls from Sea King were light, crispy, and filled with well-cooked shrimp. Enjoyable overall.
Dim Sum – Spring Rolls
😋 Enjoyment: 5/10
💰 Price Paid: $7
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
As expected, these were standard vegetable spring rolls. Crispy exterior, vegetable-heavy filling. Nothing bad, but nothing special either.
Dim Sum – Deep Fried Taro
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $7
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
Crispy on the outside with nicely cooked taro inside. Tasted as expected and satisfying to eat. Not something I would crave or really want to order again though.
Dim Sum – Chuchow Fungor
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $7
🎯 Benchmark Price: $7
📊 EV Score: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
The wrapper was a bit thick, but the filling itself was flavourful. Not bad overall, though I’ve had better versions elsewhere.
Dim Sum – Chives Dumplings
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 6.5/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
One of the better dumplings at Sea King. Nicely filled with shrimp and chives, giving it a good texture and fresh taste.
Dim Sum – Deep Fried Stuffed Eggplants
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
These were enjoyable. The shrimp filling was cooked well, and the eggplant had a soft texture. The sauce on top tied it together nicely.
Dim Sum – Steamed Beef Balls
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
Tender and soft, though the flavour wasn’t particularly strong. A decent option if you enjoy this dim sum classic.
Dim Sum – Spare Ribs in Black Bean Sauce
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
The ribs were tender, but the cuts weren’t the best, with some pieces being mostly bone. Still, the flavour was fine, if not remarkable.
Dim Sum – Har Gow
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
A staple of dim sum, these shrimp dumplings from Sea King were generously filled, but the wrapper was a bit thick, especially at the base.
Dim Sum – Shiu Mai
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
Pretty standard. The taste was good, though the wrapper on some pieces was loose and falling apart.
Dim Sum – Beef Rice Roll
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
Tasted exactly as expected. The wrapper wasn’t too thick, and the soy sauce drizzle was slightly sweet, complementing the beef filling well.
Dim Sum – Deep Fried Squid Tentacles
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $9
🎯 Benchmark Price: $9
📊 EV Score: 6.5/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
A nice plate. The squid was tender, and the deep-frying gave it a crisp texture. A generous portion made this a good choice.
Dim Sum – Stir-Fried Noodles
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
Very simple — just plain egg noodles with bean sprouts. Nothing wrong with them, but they were forgettable.
Dim Sum – Steamed Vegetables
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $8
🎯 Benchmark Price: $8
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
Exactly as you’d expect: simple steamed greens served with hoisin sauce. Fresh and straightforward.
Final Thoughts
Sea King Seafood Restaurant on Merivale offers a classic dim sum experience with push carts, which sets it apart from many other dim sum spots in Ottawa. While not every dish stood out, the variety, efficiency, and bustling atmosphere make it worth visiting.
Some items like the deep fried shrimp rolls, chives dumplings, and squid tentacles were strong highlights, while others like the turnip cakes, spring rolls, and spare ribs were more forgettable. Still, the combination of push carts, friendly service, and busy atmosphere made for a lively and enjoyable meal.
If you’re looking for a traditional dim sum experience in Ottawa, Sea King is one of the few places where you can still enjoy it.