Desi Hakka Affairs — Restaurant in Mississauga

A Culinary Gem That Delivers, Every Single Time

This isn’t my first visit to Desi Hakka Affairs (DHA), but it’s my first time putting pen to paper about it—and frankly, it’s long overdue. I’ve tried just about every staple on their traditional Indian menu before: butter and tandoori chicken, paneer, fluffy naan, crisp samosas—the classics. Let me be clear: I’d stack their versions up against any Indian restaurant or takeout spot in southern Ontario. After a recent trip to India, where I sampled regional specialties from city to city, I came back craving the authenticity I just experienced. Somehow, DHA transported me right back to those bustling restaurants and busy street stalls. While some places dial down their flavors to suit the masses, DHA stays true to each dish. It’s up to us, the diners, to recognize, savor, and truly appreciate the journey they offer.

This time, I ventured into the Hakka side of the menu—a little outside my usual picks at Indian restaurants. I ordered their egg fried rice and chili chicken, the latter dish I’ve tasted at half a dozen at other spots in the GTA. I know what the real thing should look, smell, and taste like. And let me tell you: as soon as the chili chicken arrived, the aroma alone was intoxicating. There was a boldness to the spice, balanced perfectly with a house-made chili sauce that clung lovingly to each piece of chicken. The heat caught me right away, enveloping each bite but never overwhelming the palate or masking the richness of the meat.

Paired with their egg fried rice—fluffy yet satisfying, with the right balance of egginess and seasoning—the meal hit a whole new level. The rice was the unsung hero, soaking up the extra sauce and providing just the right counterpoint to the spice. Don't get me wrong. Basmati rice will do just fine but sometimes you want to mix it up.

The portions? Generous. I couldn’t finish it in one sitting, but there was no chance I could share what was left. I took my leftovers home and, if possible, the dish was even better after resting overnight—the flavors deepened and married beautifully.

Desi Hakka Affairs is a diamond in the rough. There may be more famous names and flashier locales around the GTA, but DHA can absolutely hold its own—and, honestly, outshine most of its competitors. If you care about flavor and authenticity, this spot is well worth your time. Can’t wait for...

Desi Hakka Affairs – A Missed Affair with Flavors

As someone who has explored countless restaurants over the years, I walked into Desi Hakka Affairs hoping to indulge in the bold, nostalgic flavors of Indian-Chinese cuisine. Unfortunately, my experience fell short of expectations.

Food: A Tale of Lost Potential

We ordered the Tandoori Chicken Momos (8 pieces) and Schezwan Noodles (mild spice level).

Tandoori Chicken Momos: A promising dish on paper, but the execution missed the mark. The momos were fried first and then baked, resulting in an odd texture—chewy at the bottom and overly crispy at the creases. Instead of the smoky, juicy bite one hopes for in tandoori-style dumplings, these leaned more toward dry and tough.

Schezwan Noodles: Bland, lacking the fiery punch or umami depth that defines great Hakka noodles. We had to add green chili vinegar just to wake up the flavors. The saving grace? Decent portion sizes.

Service & Ambiance: A Quiet Evening

The service was attentive and polite, but the ambiance felt underwhelming. Only one other couple dined while we were there, making the space feel somewhat empty.

Pricing & Value: $$$ But Does It Deliver?

With its pricing in the $$$ range, one would expect flavors that justify the cost. However, the experience didn’t quite match the price point. On the upside, their happy hour beers at $4.99 added a slight redeeming factor.

Final Verdict: Worth a Try?

If you’re desperate for Desi Hakka and have no better options, this place might suffice. However, based on my visit, it’s a restaurant that leaves you wanting more—not in a good way. That said, food is subjective, and every experience is unique. Try it for yourself and see...

A+ Hakka experience. Recommended. Only place that can get chicken drumsticks with glaze.

The Hakka food here is authentic and reminiscent of the Hakka food I had in Chennai.

I always try a few dishes to gauge the chef's skills:

Soup: I tried the crab meat soup. Excellent. Depth, body, and classic Hakka vibe in the essence and taste. I'm sure the Hot and Sour soup is great as well.

Chicken drumsticks: These are a classic Hakka dish and this is the only Hakka place I've seen that can serve it with demi-glace. They have a dry option as well. Very garlicky and spicy as it should be. Frenched chicken legs were large and their coating was crispy. Awesome. Just as it would be prepared in Chinese restaurants in India.

Chilli chicken: Of course, and they made it good. I asked for semi-dry. It's on par with the best I've tasted in the GTA which was at Little Tibet in downtown Toronto.

Food was piping hot, portions were large, and overall presentation was excellent. If you ask for the highest spice level, you will leave warmed up. They are very generous with the ginger and garlic which is the basis of Hakka dishes.

This resto has a younger vibe to it. There are many TV's, a bar layout that would appeal to younger people, and music choice that the would appeal to sub-40 diners. The murals on the walls are also quite interesting.

Interior was extremely tidy, nicely laid out, and service was fast.

The server was extremely attentive and prompt and friendly.

I am confident in the chef's skills to be able to try some of the other Hakka dishes here. If I must rank this place, I'd place it alongside Everest Hakka and Little Tibet, both of which are excellent Hakka...