Cafe De Hong Kong 良心冰室 — Restaurant in Markham

Went here on a Sunday, arrived around 12:25pm, went to get a wait number, and the gentleman told me it was going to be over 30 minute wait and wrote down the store's phone number on the back of the paper and said I can call in half an hour to see what number they're calling, and asked us to wait in our car since it's cold and windy. Called them in 15 mins or so since I kept seeing people driving off in cars, hoping people were leaving, and the guy told me they're at #28, while mine was #52, lol I was a little shocked at that moment, because the first guy didn't tell me there was 30+ numbers in front of me, but this guy was honest, he said probably tons of people already left, so maybe call again a bit later... I waited another 15 mins until my friend arrived and called again, this time they're already at #58!! I asked him how is this possible? I called 10-15 mins ago and you were at #28, and now you're at #58!? So, I went back into the store to check up on this, and by the time I got back there, people that had numbers in the 40's must've also called like I did and found out their numbers have ALSO been missed, so at least 3 groups had numbers before my #52... We were just going to go next door to First Markham Place and eat whatever, but when we heard we were 3rd in line, we decided to wait since we've already waited 45 mins by now. Approximately after at least an hour of waiting, we finally got seated and ordered our food, we ordered the Ding Ding candy milk tea and the bottled milk tea; hainanese chicken rice; satay beef with instant noodles; and the salted egg yolk french toast. There's nothing special about the Ding Ding candy milk tea, you can totally just order the regular milk tea and it'll taste the same, the french toast was ok, but the salted egg yolk flavor was not really there, also it did have a smooth "lava" flow when it was cut. The Hainanese chicken was not bad, the rice had flavors, and the chicken was juicy and tender, not dry. The Satay beef noodles and the curry was normal quality, but no WOW factors there either. I'm from HK so I've tried plenty of HK style cafe back home and here as well, so truthfully speaking, the flavors are a bit better compared to the other HK style cafe in Toronto, but by just a bit and it's also coz there's no really good ones in Toronto. So is it enough to justify the LONG wait and the messed up queue system they have there? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Especially since I saw through the window while waiting outside, they wasted a 4-seater table to put takeout orders on the table, which they don't even need both those tables, plus they wasted another 2-seater table in the middle of the store putting just the clipboard they used for jotting down the queues, so they could've seated another 6 customers instead of occupying those areas, and maybe we could've waited just 45 mins instead over an hour!? They're just really insufficient and wasting a lot of tables for no good reason, so in my opinion, this is not very HK style at all, lol It's also funny to note that, they didn't do take out before, but now they do, but if you ask them how long the wait is, they'll tell you "45 mins to wait in line, 45 mins to wait for take out" at least that's what I overheard them telling some customers. If I really want to try this place again, which I don't see myself doing, I would only call in advance and order takeout, not going to wait over an hour in line, it's honestly not...

Cafe de Hong Kong in Markham, Ontario, is an absolute treasure for those seeking an authentic taste of Hong Kong cuisine. I recently had the pleasure of dining at this charming establishment, and I must say, it left a lasting impression. If you're a fan of Hainan Chicken Rice, prepare yourself for a culinary journey that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Hong Kong.

The star of the show at Cafe de Hong Kong is undoubtedly their Hainan Chicken Rice. This classic dish, known for its simplicity and flavors, was executed to perfection. The chicken was tender, moist, and packed with incredible flavor. Each bite revealed a delicate balance of aromatic herbs and spices that elevated the dish to new heights. The rice, cooked in chicken broth, was fragrant and infused with the essence of the chicken, making it a delightful accompaniment. The accompanying trio of sauces, including ginger, chili, and soy, further enhanced the overall experience, allowing you to customize each mouthful to your liking.

Beyond the outstanding Hainan Chicken Rice, Cafe de Hong Kong offers a diverse menu of delectable dishes that will leave you spoilt for choice. From their delectable barbecue selections, including succulent roast pork and crispy-skinned roast duck, to their mouthwatering dim sum offerings, each dish showcases the restaurant's commitment to authenticity and quality. Whether you opt for the fluffy steamed buns filled with BBQ pork or the delicate shrimp dumplings, you can expect exceptional flavors and impeccable execution.

The service at Cafe de Hong Kong deserves high praise. The staff members were friendly, attentive, and eager to ensure a memorable dining experience. They were more than happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions, making the entire experience feel welcoming and personalized.

The ambiance of the cafe is cozy and reminiscent of Hong Kong's bustling tea houses. The decor exudes a charming charm, with traditional elements that transport you to the vibrant streets of the city. The seating arrangements are comfortable, making it an ideal spot for a casual meal with friends or a cozy family gathering.

Cafe de Hong Kong is truly a gem in Markham, Ontario, for anyone craving an authentic taste of Hong Kong cuisine. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Hainan Chicken Rice or someone eager to explore the rich flavors of this beloved dish, you won't be disappointed. With its exceptional execution, warm hospitality, and inviting atmosphere, Cafe de Hong Kong is a must-visit destination that promises a memorable dining experience. Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary journey through the flavors of Hong Kong, right in the...

I visited Cafe de Hong Kong around 11:30 am on a Monday morning (during the summer months). Our group had joined their waitlist, which was estimating that we would get a table around 11:15 am but was then ready sooner. We hadn't actually arrived yet so we called them to notify that we'd be late. The staff were wonderful as they put us on the top of the list when we did arrive, rather than making us queue again from the beginning. As a result, our wait was about 10-15 minutes. As you can imagine, this place is BUSY. There's only a bench near the entrance to wait, so we waited outside, along the sidewalk.

The place looked quite clean and well-kept from a glance. The way the seating is arranged is relatively spacious. Our table for four was seated in the middle of the restaurant, close to the door, and yet we didn't feel too crowded (i.e. didn't feel like people who were waiting were hovering over us like at some other small Chinese spots).

I ended up ordering #104 Fried Chicken & Avocado Pineapple Bun w/ Lettuce, Tomato, Spicy Sauce, House Mayo ($10.79) since my company ordered the #301 Hainanese chicken with rice, which was my first at choice, as we decided to order different dishes to try more things. I was impressed with the size of my sandwich! It was basically double the size of what I was expecting, with two pieces of chicken... And I feel like my sandwich could have fed two. The fried chicken was very crispy, not oily. The meat was juicy and tender. The pineapple bun itself was also quite big and tasty - as per usual, the top was the best part and the bottom half was unremarkable. Overall, the sauces and toppings paired well, but given the size, I felt like it needed some more sauce. All in all, great portions for the price.

I only had a small taste of the Hainanese chicken with rice but I can say I'd order it again, as a whole dish for myself. The chicken was flavorful and so tender!

The meals all had basic drinks included but we upgraded one of our drinks for $2.50 to the iced HK milk tea with traditional ding ding candy. Considering how much it costs to upgrade to iced drinks at other restaurants, this felt really reasonable. The HK milk tea was delicious and a must order; the ding ding candy was fun to try but I didn't care for it too much.

Again, I'd like to emphasize that the wait staff were very friendly. They were mindful and attentive to our needs. Service was also...