Cheap Cheery Cantonese Comfort – Hong Fatt BBQ Restaurant

 

 

 

 

siu yuk (燒肉)

Hong Fatt BBQ Restaurant
443 Dundas St. W, Toronto (A block-ish west of the AGO)
CASH ONLY
Wallet Damage: $ (Minimal)

4/5 bananas of satisfaction

Hanging roasted animals in a display window may not be your cup of tea, but little did you know, these “scary looking” little joints found around Chinatown in Downtown Toronto offers some of the most comforting and economical meals you can find around town.

I have kept my little secret hide-out all to myself for a while now, but after my joyous meal today at Hong Faat BBQ Restaurant I am bubbling with satisfaction making me feel that it is time I share this little gem with all our dear Bananaloft readers.

Hong Fatt BBQ Restaurant is tucked right at the intersection of Huron Street and Dundas, just a block and a half west of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the entrance is snuggled behind the vegetable stall. Hong Fatt has a comprehensive menu of typical Chinese fare found around town,but the eatery’s specialty is the Cantonese method of preparing meat called siu mei (燒味) directly translates as “roast flavour”. Siu mei staples include char siu (叉燒) barbecue marinated pork with a sweet glaze, siu yuk (燒肉) whole roasted pork with crispy skin, bak tseit gai (白切雞) steamed chicken, chicken poached in soya sauce  concoction, roasted goose and duck to name a few. Each of the above are usually served on a bed of steamy plain rice accompanied with a healthy side of greens. At siu mei joints customers are free to make any single, double, triple, or quadruple combos of the various roasted meat according to your personal taste. My personal favourite is a double combo of char siu and siu yuk – This is simply the best combo of caramel sweetness and crispy satisfaction (the crispy and juicy tender balance of the siu yuk is heavenly). At Hong Fatt BBQ Restaurant, a sizable double combo with a large complimentary bowl of soup costs $4.20 a pop. Yeah. $4.20 tax included. The chef at Hong Fatt has master the art of siu mei, serving a bunch of Asian regulars who pop in around dinner time for either dine in or take out to get a quick dose of homey comfort. I have been to a fair share of restaurants that offer siu mei around the GTA and I must say, Hong Fatt does it best and the price is unbeatable.

Double combo of char siu and siu yuk, $4.20 (Deep apologies about the shaky shot...I was starving and couldn't wait another second to dig in!)

To Cantonese people, a quick meal at a siu mei restaurant is the equivalent of a quick bite at McD’s. Through out the Canton region in China, a siu mei combo is often the go-to lunch meal for many individuals for its economical price, as well as its healthy and hearty balance of meat, rice and veggie. Don’t be surprised if the meat is not piping hot when it’s served to you, it’s not meant to be served hot. Firstly, the cooling process brings out the deep and succulent roasting flavours of the meat, if reheated the process would change the flavour and textural property of the meat (not as tasty). Secondly, the room temperature of the meat warms up against the steaming hot rice and the two balance each other out to just the right temperature to be enjoyed mouthful after mouthful.

Enough said. Siu mei combos are cosmic bowls of wonderful satisfaction. Try it yourself.

So, if you work and play Downtown and need a quick bite give Hong Fatt BBQ Restaurant a try!

Happy eating 

P.S. Bananaloft is not affiliated with Hong Fatt BBQ Restaurant in anyway. Eva just eats there once a week.

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