Normally when I get north Indian or Chinese-Indian food for review, I normally taste it with a teaspoon, and not the rest of food, since 9 out of 10 cases the food is ordinary, middle of the road, and not really value for calories. When Happy Hakka sent me a tasting hamper of 14 dishes, I became a treasure hunter – going through it with my teaspoon looking for delight. And yes after searching through many average or not so good dishes, I did strike gold.

The delivery is when I want, but the food is packaged somewhat clumsily and in a not-so-appetising way. Here is a summary of my treasure hunt. I have divided the dishes into spectacular, competent, and not good.

The spectacular:

Green Bean Salad (Rs 99) had wok- tossed crunchy green beans dressed in a light, spicy Schezwan sauce. This dish is wow - crunchy, with a hit of sesame seeds and chilly. Thai Red Curry Fish (Rs 379) is as close to authentic as one can get here. It is light and flavourful and does not resemble butter chicken made in coconut cream that most Thai curries end up looking and tasting like in Gurgaon.

The competent:

The Singapore street food favourite Mi Goreng Egg (Rs 149) should taste nice when made fresh, but the packed version is also good, though the egg has gone rubbery. Mushroom Mania (Rs 149) with black mushrooms, button mushrooms and Shiitake, tossed together in a soy pepper sauce is good but would have tasted much better had it been plain stir fried.

Thai Chilli Basil Fish (Rs 279) has veggies and fish, with basil, white pepper and a dash of red chilli, and has good punchy flavors. Black Bean Fish (Rs 259) with veggies and fish, tossed in black bean sauce is a  good dish which could be better if the sauce was a bit stronger with a distinct hit of umami.

Emperor’s Hotpot Tofu (Rs 309) has silken tofu with Shitake mushrooms, served with bok-choy in a sweet and Schezwan flavor. The quality of tofu is good though the sauce is disappointing.   Pan-Fried Noodles in Peking Sauce Veg (Rs 179) also has gone soft in transportation but is nice. Really wish though that they stick to the Cantonese white sauce with it.

Hakka Noodles Veg (Rs 99) have thin noodles like we used to get in posh Chinese restaurants of our childhood, and are comforting.

The not good:

Sweet N Sour Veg Jr (Rs 99) looks artificially red, just like we used to have in Chinese restaurants of our childhood, but just does not get the taste balance right. Crunchy Munchy Rolls Chicken Jr (Rs 135) go leathery in transit.

Soups and starters are by and large disappointing. Hot ‘n’ Sour Egg Soup  (Rs 89) is weak in the tanginess and spice department. Chow Manchow Veg (Rs 89) is somewhat better but still insipid tasting.

Sui Mai Veg Dimsum (Rs 159) has an unpleasant taste and texture.

Will I order from here next and pay for it? A resounding yes for the Thai red curry and the beans. Maybe for the rest.

Please note: This review was done on an invitation from Happy Hakka to taste their food, and when the food was sent to the author’s home, no bill was presented to the author. While the author assures you of objectivity, the review may be influenced by the extra care and attention the food samples got before being sent for review.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 3.5 | Packaging and Delivery: 3.5 | Value: 3.5 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for two: Rs.700

Address: E-18 SUPER MART 2, DLF Phase IV, Gurgaon, Haryana 122002

Tel: 090155 58558