In downtown Brantford, The Chinese Sisters, a small but innovative Chinese restaurant, is preparing to welcome the Chinese New Year, which begins on January 29, 2025, with a blend of cultural tradition and modern innovation. Open since 2017, the restaurant has become a cornerstone of the local Chinese community, serving as both a cultural hub and a pioneer in technological advancements in food preparation.
Yuhan Che, known as John to customers, manages the restaurant with a calm focus that mirrors its dual mission: preserving Chinese heritage while embracing the future. “The idea behind this restaurant was to share the culture of our founder’s hometown in southwestern China with the people here,” Che explains. “But we’ve also built something unique by blending traditional recipes with the newest technology.”
At the heart of the restaurant’s innovation is its autonomous cooking system, consisting of three machines capable of independently preparing meals from a repertoire of 12,000 recipes. Designed in collaboration with engineers and professional chefs, the machines cook, clean, and ensure consistent preparation of every dish. “Once a recipe is perfected, it stays perfect,” Che says.
However, the essence of The Chinese Sisters lies in its deep connection to tradition. The restaurant’s founder, Yang Ping, known as Candy, was born in Kaili, a picturesque town in Guizhou Province, Southwest China, famous for its cultural diversity and distinctive sour and spicy cuisine. Candy’s culinary inspiration comes directly from her roots.
“When I was young, the sour fish soup and stir-fried beef with chili peppers my mom made were the flavors I missed the most,” Candy says. “Through this restaurant, I want to bring Kaili’s culinary culture to Canada and share authentic Guizhou cuisine with the community.”
Guizhou’s sour soup, handcrafted chili sauces, and Miao-style dishes form the heart of the restaurant’s menu. Candy remains committed to preserving these flavors, using the highest quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Currently traveling across China, Candy is visiting restaurants and family kitchens in Beijing and Guizhou to discover more traditional recipes to bring back to Brantford. “I want to showcase not just the flavors of Guizhou but also the traditional tastes from other regions of China to our Canadian customers,” she says.
Candy will return to Canada in March with new recipes, and the restaurant plans to introduce an expanded menu featuring authentic regional dishes.
The upcoming Lunar New Year, one of the busiest and most significant times for the restaurant, is a key moment for connecting with the community. Che, who was born in the Year of the Snake, reflects on the symbolism of the year. “The snake is associated with wisdom and transformation,” he explains. “For me, it’s a year to learn, grow, and transform—not just personally, but also for the restaurant.”
Last year, The Chinese Sisters celebrated the Lunar New Year by distributing red envelopes to employees and offering customers traditional dumplings, a dish symbolizing wealth and prosperity. This year, Che plans to continue these traditions while introducing new offerings that reflect the restaurant’s evolving menu. “Food is the best way to tell the story of Chinese New Year,” he says. “Dumplings and fish symbolize abundance and savings, and these stories help customers connect with the culture.”
Che sees increasing engagement from Brantford’s broader community with Chinese New Year traditions. “People are curious. They want to learn and try something new. That’s where we come in—not just as a restaurant, but as a cultural bridge,” he says.
Looking ahead, Che has set personal and professional goals for the Year of the Snake. He hopes to read more and take on new challenges. For the restaurant, he envisions steady growth, new recipes, and deeper community connections. “Our menu has evolved to keep things fresh,” he says. “It’s about finding that balance—honoring tradition while staying relevant in a modern world.”
As The Chinese Sisters prepares for the Year of the Snake, it continues to celebrate Kaili’s rich culinary heritage and stands as a symbol of transformation and innovation in Brantford’s restaurant scene. For Candy, Che, and their team, this Lunar New Year is an opportunity to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and look toward an exciting future.
