New Openings: Hakka Ren

Hakka Ren is a new family-operated restaurant run by local residents Michael Chung, Thomas Hou and Chef Alvin Hou. The restaurant concept was created to bring a taste of the family’s roots to their new home city of Mississauga. 

Hakka Ren translates to ‘Hakka People’ and Hakka-style cuisine is often mistakenly categorized as ‘spicy food’, but Chung clarifies that the cuisine itself is more bold and flavourful with the use of aromatic and exotic ingredients such as garlic, ginger, soy and cilantro. 

Thomas Hou has over 30 years of experience, owning a Hakka restaurant in Bangalore, India. He managed the business operations and his son Alvin started learning how to work a kitchen when he was just 13 years-old. The Hou family immigrated to Canada two years ago and partnered with their son/brother-in-law Chung to open their first restaurant in Canada. The Hou family chose to immigrate to Mississauga because, “it looks like the place to be,” says Chef Hou.

The space was once a Japanese restaurant called Zem-One. It has been completely gutted and features a contemporary design with Asian-inspired art. Chung says they chose Hurontario and Eglinton (close to the 403) because “the location is a very central and is a busy area with a mix of residential and commercial property. I love Mississauga for its cleanliness and the mayor.”   

The resto is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and Chung says they’ll stay open later if there’s a demand for it. 

As part of Hakka Ren’s grand opening special, they are offering 15% off an entire bill until October 25, 2015 (check out the website for further details) 

Unique for: Chef Hou’s exclusive Hakka Ren dishes and a comfortable dining experience. 

Concept: “We believe that food has many languages and it is the binding force that unites us all. Our motto: eat to live and live to eat!” 

Food Menu: Hakka Ren offers a Halal menu with an extensive selection of Hakka-Chinese and Indian dishes including appetizers, chicken, beef, seafood, rice and noodle dishes. The menu also includes an abundant amount of vegetarian dishes (they comprise about half the menu). 

Signature Dishes: House special chicken, beef and fish dishes that are a party in your mouth, boasting hot, sweet and sour flavours. Sriracha beef, Yin Yang rice (a combination of rice and noodle dish in one), Hakka roast chicken, golden fried spicy beef balls and Hong Kong special soup (a piquant concoction of chicken and mushrooms). 

What’s Up and Coming? Delivery service, catering, party trays, dinner specials, signature drinks, liquor license, new promotions, online ordering, dessert and happy hour menu. 

Type: Full service restaurant

Seats: 70

Patio: No

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