KEN HUNTS FOOD: Lao Hakka Cafe (老客家) @ Chinese Swimming Club, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Lao Hakka Cafe (老客家) @ Chinese Swimming Club, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

Lao Hakka Cafe (老客家) is one of the few places in Penang where you will find some authentic Hakka dishes. The restaurant housed in Penang Chinese Swimming Club is popular amongst those with Hakka roots, the menu features an array of Hakka delights, including some common dishes like Yong To Fu, Hakka Fried Meat, Braised Pork with Mustard Greens... as well as some not so common ones like Hakka Yellow Rice Wine Chicken, Abacus etc. We thought the price points are slightly higher than expected but the food quality certainly did not disappoint.

Hakka Sour Curry Shark Meat (Rm 60)

Yong To Fu Soup (Rm 24)

Egg Plant served with Deep Fried Pork Lard (Rm 20)

Hakka Braised Pork with Yam (Rm 39)

Hakka Abacus (Rm 30)

Beach Water (Rm 5) and Old House Drink (Rm 5)

Some of us thought the Hakka Sour Curry Fish was a little overly acidic but personally, I found the dish delicious as the curry was aromatic and the acidity was a nice, appetizing push to the dish. The Shark Meat was nicely cooked- firm and fresh. A dish that I found myself enjoying a lot. The Hakka Braised Pork with Yam was equally good, the meat was fork-tender and the Yam was generously cut, the seasoning was spot on. A pity that the serving portion was a little small for that price. Another slightly overpriced dish was the Hakka Abacus. The texture was a little overly soft this time but they were quite generous with the dried Cuttlefish. We also had the Hakka Salted Chicken (no photo) which we thought it was good but for 2 thighs, the dish costs Rm 32. We thought it was a little overpriced.