- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Hou Lok Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
8231 Cambie RdRichmond, BC V6X 3X9
Neighbourhood: Golden Village
(604) 279-8896
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 4 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
2 reviews for Hou Lok Restaurant
2 reviews in English
-
Review from Nancy W.
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Concept:
"Da Lang"
or "Late Night"
Simply put, this is the Chinese style of late night cuisine, which is widely popular in different places of Asia with different variations. "Da Lang" is originated in the Chaozhou, China. Till this day, a lot of late night eateries in Asia are opened in a "Dai Pai Dong" setting, which means it's in an outdoor food stall setting. Unfortunately, a lot of these are being closed down because of health regulations.
The traditional dishes served in this type of cuisine are:
Braised Meat in special prepared soy marinates. (IE: Duck, Intestine, beef, ETC)
Chilled crab with special dipping sauce
Congee
Various fresh seafood prepared in different ways (steamed, pan fried, deep fried, ETC)
Hou Lok Restaurant:
This restaurant is what I consider as a hidden gem in Richmond. Local patrons usually frequent this restaurant at late night hours. While some would be standing in the cold for a quick slice or donair stand after a night of partying or working, you can come in with your group of friends and order warm tapa style plates for a very economic price.
As you can see, there are a lot of items only written in Chinese that is posted on the wall. Luckily, you can order what we ordered if you like. Print out the list provided below and hand it to the server. =)
You might also want to check out the single sheet late night menu. The concept is simple, you order up to $20 and they will throw in a big bowl of congee.
Steamed Oyster: We ordered one of each: Garlic, Garlic Pepper, and Soy Sauce. First of all, the oysters were gigantic. They were so fresh and all the ingredients help lift up the original taste of the oyster.
Pan Fried Oyster Omelette: Oyster Omelette is very popular in Taiwan. This dish does not disappoint. There is no fishiness in the oysters at all. The eggs are slight brunt to give it that crunchy texture. A red vinegar dip is provided to give it that extra lift.
Clams in Black Sauce: Black Sauce? It's fermented black bean sauce used in applications of fish and other seafood. I have to suggest that this is not for everyone, because it does have a really strong and unique taste. Asian families that are used to it adore it from the kitchen of their own homes to restaurants alike.
Pickled Vegetable with Pork Intestines: I have featured intestines on the blog before and I understand it is very adventurous to those who haven't tried it. I can't stress enough that it has some of the best textures when cooked properly. Bouncy chewy texture, but not to a point where its eraser / tire like. The pickled vegetable provides the dish with a strong sour taste. If I must compare, it's the same concept as sauerkraut.
Sautéed Mustard Greens with Garlic: Mustard Green in my opinion is a grown up's vegetable. Kids do not like espresso much like this vegetables bitterness. People love bitterness as they get older because they often find a sweet
aftertaste.
So next time you and your pals are in Richmond past midnight. Come into Hou Lok and experience what Chinese Late Night has to offer. -
Review from Edward L.
For late-nite munchies, it doesn't get much better than this.
You know the place is awesome when it doesn't open before 1700. Yes, 1700. This place does not open during business hours. The lit sign up top says 1600, but this has been superseded by a piece of paper taped on the door.
The reason why there has been no previous Yelp review of this place is because, well, nobody inside speaks English. Be sure to bring a Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) speaking friend with you or you'll be doing a lot of gesturing and pointing.
Some of the customers definitely look shady. This is not the place you want to go to impress a client, unless you're in the business of selling panda parts. The last time I came here, there were definitely some triad members inside (don't ask me how I know). So, be sure not to look at the other customers the wrong way if you don't want get to hacked up and served inside some pork buns the next morning.
We had a combo. 4 dishes + congee for.. $20. Adding in dessert and an extra dish, and it was $30 before tip. There were 6 of us, so.. less than $6 a person. You can't even do that at McDonald's.
Szechuan beef - this was really good. Served with some deep-fried vegetable. My favourite dish out of the bunch
Honey garlic spare ribs - a bit too bony (ie not enough meat), but good sauce.
Deep fried squid with peppery salt - batter was a bit soggy, but otherwise not bad.
Diced chicken with brown sauce - served with chopped celery and mini-corn cobs.
Beef congee - nice savoury flavour thanks to the addition of green onions.
My friends had the boiled milk dessert. I didn't get to try it but they told me it was one of the best they've ever had on this side of the world.
Looks like I've found an alternative to No.9.Listed in: 2011 Cheap & Tasty, Open Late
