Best Hakka Restaurant in Toronto
What’s the heck with Hakka?
The Hakka are part of the Han Chinese group from the Central Plains of Northern China. They were a nomadic group hence the word ‘Hakka’ which means ‘Guest Family’. They settled in Guangdong province and from there migrated to India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Canada, Indonesia, Peru, and Jamaica.
The history of Hakka Cuisine
Traditional Hakka cuisine focuses on preserved meats and vegetables. However, in Canada Hakka food is associated with Chinese food with Indian spices cooked by the Hakka people from Calcutta.
The Chinese came to Calcutta in the nineteenth century as a result of trade between Canton and Calcutta. The Hakka community in Calcutta focused on the leather tanning and shoe-making business. They had a niche in this business. The reason is that certain ethnic groups could not do it for religious reasons.
The Hakka community started migrating to the Greater Toronto Area in the 70s after the Indo-China War. Hakka cuisine is the heirloom of migration, conflict, struggle, and colonialism. Some of my favorite dishes are chicken lollipops, Hakka noodles, chili chicken, chicken corn soup, and vegetable Manchurian.
Golden Joy Restaurant
Linda Huang and her Husband Clifford offer authentic Hakka food at Golden Joy Hakka Restaurant located in Etobicoke. The restaurant is located in a strip plaza at 900 Albion Road. The couple speaks Bengali, Hindi, English, Hakka, and a dash of Cantonese and Mandarin. Linda greets us with a great smile and she is joyful just like the laughing Buddhas at the restaurant. Gold is a sign of prosperity in Chinese culture.
The choice of items on the menu is extensive. The restaurant is halal so no pork is served. Linda runs the front of the office and Clifford is at the back leading a brigade of experienced chefs. The focus is on quality and freshness. I was amazed to know that all the sauces: curry, honey garlic, honey, sweet and sour, Szechuan and Manchurian are made in-house. I am sold. I tell my wife that I am amazed at how low the prices are.
We decide to order the dinner for 4 @$ 54.99. You get two bowls of chicken corn soup, 4 spring rolls, chicken pakora, fish with mixed vegetables, chili chicken, chicken fried rice, and chicken chow mein.
The chicken corn soup is delicious and I like that they add peas and scallions to it. The taste and consistency are amazing. The handmade spring rolls are delicious. The chicken pakoras are served with sweet onion and lime. A perfect combination. I try the fried rice with the chili chicken. The flavor of the wok is transferred to this classic dish. The chicken chow mein is tasty, spiced well, and just the right amount of all the ingredients. The fish was delicate, with the right amount of breading and a perfect combination of vegetables. I also liked that they gave you four packages of homemade chili sauce and green chilies with vinegar.
I have eaten at more than 20 Hakka restaurants in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area over the last three decades. This restaurant is the best in every dish, with great value for the price, huge portions, and great service. Please go and support them.
