Ottawa Foodies

4

Hong Kong style food is supposed to be filling and tasty and this restaurant didn't disappoint. A multi-generational table was sitting next to me and they had what seemed do be an endless amount of food and it all looked good.

I ordered the hot and sour soup and it stood its ground compared to other variations that are often characterised by being too vinegary or way too thick. To accompany the soup was a standard green onion pancake and even though it was nighttime, an order of har gow (shrimp dumplings). The dumplings were fresh, but I prefer when they have a thinner, less chewy wrapper.

Many mains seem to be designed as meals in and of themselves (they are either served with rice or choice of noodles) and this seems to be fairly typical of HK style eating. We had a dish of short beef ribs and an order of shrimp with egg sauce. The ribs had a nice flavour but they were so hard to eat - I'd skip them next time.

Shrimp with egg sauce, for those who haven't heard of it or would never think to order it, is a prime example of not judging a book by its cover. The first time I ever ordered it (much to the dismay of my friends who dismissed it as looking vile - my friends have no sense of adventure) I was given a weird look by the waiter and a warning that it wasn't a dish for everyone (i.e. a Canadian). Fortunately, I have no desire to eat western Chinese food and it became a favourite dish of mine. The version at Cafe Orient was tasty, but it was lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on (maybe sesame oil and/or msg.

Lastly, I had read about Hong Kong-style french toast and knew that I had to order it. In my mind, the only way to make french toast is with challah and to serve it with maple syrup. This version was rather different. It looks like a sandwich of (for lack of better term) sandwich bread, lightly deep fried and served with a bit of condensed milk. By itself, it is a bit bland, but thankfully it comes with a bottle of what I'm told is golden syrup and boy did that make a difference (golden syrup can best be characterised as a diabetic's worst nightmare).

Next time I'm in the area and want simple, affordable and plentiful food, I know where to go - I still have to try their congee...

2

this is my default resto., but it tastes like home to me (HK) so i can't leave an objective review... i'll try.

1. HK-style french toast is not how you know western-style. this one is a scrambled egg sandwich that is deep-fried in peanut oil, that you smother with butter and syrup. it's a little different than the traditional style (peanut butter/condensed milk in the middle, soaked in egg and shallow fried) but it's just as guilt-ridden and delicious nonetheless.

i like it with the scrambled egg in the middle, it makes the middle "creamy" but without more sugar. they also give you 4 slices of bread (so 2 sandwiches), so make sure you have AT LEAST 1 person to share it with! i'll try to remember taking a photo next time.

2. my favourite dish is the salted fish, diced chicken, eggplant on rice. it's not on the menu, but on the "specials" list by the door. i guess even if it isn't, just order it anyway. ^^ it happens to be ordered -every time- by someone at the table. it's just cooked very well with fresh ingredients, the eggplant is soft but not limping, and the salted fish flavour comes through just right.

3. from what my friends say, this place is more agreeable to picky people who are a bit... reserved about what "chinese" food is. the menu lists pretty exactly what's in the dish, and there's nothing too weird hiding.

4. portions vs price is great, 2 dishes for 3 people is plenty.

This is my go to place for Chinese food when my parents are in town.

pork siu mai @ cafe orient. interesting, dim sum is supposed to be miniature portions. here they're a on the larger end of the scale. if you're an investor like us, you don't like to feel ripped off at any time. here you definitely feel you get a good return on investment. goes good for that sucker-free pride!!

before prog rocking to dream theater and iron maiden at the bloozefest, we had to search for seriously more nutritious grub at justifiable value as no one likes to be disappointed by festival junk food and rip-offs.

there were many restos in chinatown that were closed due to air conditioning problems and the sweltering summer heat. but after a few blocks, cafe orient was nice a cozy, cool and packed.

pork cutlets on fried rice with curry sauce @ cafe orient. looks like bruce banner in progress and transforming into the incredible hulk. same goes for the great flavors activating your taste buds. recommended and future re-order.

1

we had to order something plain jane for the most pickest eater of our group. sometimes it is unbelievable how some can be so fussy (also a conincidence to be not-well-travelled) on trying anything out of their comfort zone can be such a downer to the majority just like the star trek geeks like it: "the needs of the one outweighs the needs of the many". jesus christ. we tried to instill some worldly territories but to no avail. buddy was so redneck, i literally pulled out my banjo and started klang-a-langing.

chicken & veggy dish @ cafe orient. this is the closest thing in chinatown to chicken fingers and french fries for picky eaters.

sticky rice in lotus leaf @ cafe orient. excellent infusion of glutinous rice with the steamed fragrance of lotus leaves just turns me on. the meat filler was just ok though...like pizza & chinese democracy, no matter how it is, it's always good. plus this beats all junk food any day.

seafood noodle soup @ cafe orient. talk about HUGE, we have to share this 4-ways. this mofo was much more loaded than a lot of pho's around...

shrimp siu mai @ cafe orient. part of their all day dimsum at al carte. much larger than those at a real dim sum restaurant. feels like a super value menu. ROCK ON!

I had read about Hong Kong-style french toast and knew that I had to order it. In my mind, the only way to make french toast is with challah and to serve it with maple syrup. This version was rather different. It looks like a sandwich of (for lack of better term) sandwich bread, lightly deep fried and served with a bit of condensed milk. By itself, it is a bit bland, but thankfully it comes with a bottle of what I'm told is golden syrup and boy did that make a difference (golden syrup can best be characterised as a diabetic's worst nightmare).

(this is the same as what i left in the general section)

HK-style french toast is not how you know western-style. this one is a scrambled egg sandwich that is deep-fried in peanut oil, that you smother with butter and syrup. it's a little different than the traditional style (peanut butter/condensed milk in the middle, soaked in egg and shallow fried) but it's just as guilt-ridden and delicious nonetheless.

i like it with the scrambled egg in the middle, it makes the middle "creamy" but without more sugar. they also give you 4 slices of bread (so 2 sandwiches), so make sure you have AT LEAST 1 person to share it with! i'll try to remember taking a photo next time.

oh! also it's 3.25$ or something? BEAT THAT!

When I want to eat wonton noodles (雲吞麵), this is the place in Ottawa. However, the wontons still can't be compared with Toronto's wonton places. Once I have tried the wonton noodles at Kenny’s Noodles (聯記麵家) in First Markham Place, Toronto, I don't remember the wonton taste at Cafe Orient anymore.