Done just the way the Hakkas love it

By Helen Ong

EIGHTEEN months after opening for business, this charming, unpretentious outlet on the first floor of Tesco Sri Tanjung Pinang in Tanjung Tokong is now truly established in Penang’s F&B scene.

That’s because, as proprietor Diana Chin puts it: “We serve tasty home-cooked Hakka food which everyone enjoys.”

Using tried-and-tested recipes which her Hakka mother has perfected over the years, they serve Hor Po-style food, of which apparently Loi Cha (Thunder Tea) is the best example.

Cooked brown rice, served in a large bowl around which at least nine different vegetables, herbs and pulses are piled, is finished off with a fragrant green soup made with ground fresh mint, basil and other herbs – hence its distinctive bright green. Mix well and tuck in.

According to Chin, it’s something which would have been made for special occasions, because of the amount of work involved.

This healthy dish even comes with noodles or fried rice.

If you’re unsure what to order though, worry not: their ‘Happy Family Meals’ set offers a variety of their most well known dishes. Enough for 3-4 pax, it’s very good value at RM79++, as it comes with a choice of vegetables and mains.

Choose from different types of homemade Yong Taufu with fish paste and minced pork, deep-fried or in soup, sour Vinegar Trotters, Crispy Salted Pork Belly and of course, the famous Abacus Beads (steamed mashed yam rounds fried with fragrant dried shrimps and fresh coriander).

If you just want a quick bite though, there’s the ‘Power Lunch’, available weekdays from 11am to 3pm (except public or school holidays).

Priced at a very reasonable RM11.90++ — RM13.90, this consists of soup, drink, dessert and one of their popular one-meal dishes including bestseller Hakka Noodles. Tossed in dark minced pork and soya sauce, it’s served with Minced Pork Patties.

They’ve also just introduced Hakka-style Chicken Rice, served with roast or the more traditional white chicken.

The food is good but a spoonful of their excellent homemade chilli and garlic sauce does add an extra dimension. If you fancy taking some home, a large jar can be purchased for RM10.

Hakka Tree’s Hakka food is proving so popular that Diana and business partner Peggy Tan have recently opened a pork-free branch in Queensbay Mall, where they now serve a limited menu at the Queens Market Food Court.

For more information, call 04-8993887 (Tesco Sri Tanjung Pinang) or 016-4588396 (Queensbay Mall).