I was told many a story about Ho Jiak even before I arrived back in Sydney. The customer reviews of the cuisine sound like they have just been to Malaysia for a food trip, except they didn’t. Instead, they went to one of the three Ho Jiak Sydney establishments located in Haymarket, Town Hall, and Strathfield.
This already means the restaurant has a lot of expectations to live up to. Ho Jiak literally means “delicious” in Hokkien, further exacerbating my already high expectations. I made visiting Ho Jiak one of my first missions upon exiting hotel quarantine.
Ho Jiak Haymarket
I knew I was at the right place as soon as I walked in as the restaurant decor is reminiscent of the kopitiams (coffee shops) back home. The customers also spoke in a very familiar accent or in Cantonese or Hokkien.
The menu is extensive, spreading its selection over eighteen pages. I was spoilt for choice with dishes such as humble Char Kway Teow coming in four variations.
After some contemplation, I eventually settled in on duck egg char kway teow, slow-cooked curry chicken, curry chicken with dry noodles, and wok-fried long beans with minced pork, dried chili, and dried shrimp. I also ordered the Michael Jackson drink! (aka soy milk with grass jelly)
Salted Duck Egg Char Kway Teow
The char kway teow is heavy in wok hei, aka the caramelized burnt wok flavor essential for this dish. The noodles and meat were tender, and the salted egg gave this otherwise traditional dish an exciting twist.
Slow Cooked Curry Chicken
Malaysian curry chicken has got to be my favorite comfort dish. It is not easy to find a Sydney restaurant that nails the spices’ combination just right, but Ho Jiak did it. The chicken pieces were also fall off the bone tender. The potatoes had soaked up enough of the curry sauce, just how I like it. Highly recommended.
Wok Fried Long Beans with Minced Pork
I have to confess that vegetables have never been my favorite; however, dried shrimp can convince me to eat almost anything. The dish actually tastes (almost) as good as how my grandmother used to make it.
The hype is real. A visit to Ho Jiak is like a visit back home to Malaysia. I look forward to revisiting Ho Jiak Sydney (and again) to cover as many dishes off their menu as I can.
Restaurant: Ho Jiak Sydney
Location: 92 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Other locations:
Ho Jiak Town Hall – 125 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
Ho Jiak Strathfield – Shop 33 Strathfield Plaza, 11 The Boulevarde, Strathfield NSW 2135
Menu, Delivery, Reservations and Opening Hours: https://www.hojiak.com.au
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