Hakka Nation — Restaurant in Waterloo

Follow this page long enough and you'll realize that there isn't one person on this team that can resist hakka food! On a hunt for another delicious Hakka Restaurant, I had the opportunity to try Hakka Nation's gorgeous menu (170 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3E9). An eatery serving hakka cuisine with a modern twist, Hakka Nation's Waterloo and Mississauga locations are a treat that you absolutely cannot miss! Onto what I ordered! The Manchow Soup was the perfect way to kick off the meal-spicy, tangy, and incredibly satisfying. The combination of tender chicken and succulent shrimp in a rich broth was enhanced by the crispy noodles on top, adding a delightful crunch to every spoonful. The chicken lollipop made the appetizers even better, with the crispy exterior gave way to juicy, tender chicken inside, with a spice level that was just right—not too mild, not too overwhelming. Then came the main course! The schezwan noodles were a hearty dish that didn't disappoint! The noodles, perfectly cooked and coated in a spicy Schezwan sauce that delivered a serious kick, while the chicken and shrimp were both tender and flavorful, complementing the noodles beautifully. Paired with the butter chicken momos and the chilli chicken momos that were a fusion masterpiece, and washed down with a refreshingly tangy House Mocktail and First Kiss, the meal was utterly luscious and satisfying with plenty left to take home! Whether you're new to Hakka cuisine or a long-time fan, Hakka Nation offers an array of dishes that are sure to impress.

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Dining at Hakka Nation in Waterloo was a proper Asian culinary experience, and they’ve certainly mastered authenticity in their flavors. Here’s my take:

The Hot & Sour ~Chicken and Egg Soup was an outright winner. Between the two soups I tried, this one dominated with a great margin. The balance of spice, tang, and warmth was spot on, and even for a small bowl, the portion size was impressive. 10/10—no complaints. While the Manchow Soup had room for improvement, the hot & sour option is a clear go-to.

The Steamed Chicken Momos—now we’re talking serious authenticity! Easily one of the best in town, these dumplings pack the traditional Tibetan essence. The filling was juicy, well-cooked, and bursting with flavor. That first bite, with the warm broth oozing out, was pure satisfaction. From a momo purist’s perspective, I could tell these were sourced and cooked in-house, maintaining top-notch quality. 9/10, including the fiery chutney that tied it all together. Instead of heading to Toronto for Tibetan momos, Hakka Nation is the place to be. If anything, they should lean into this strength and expand their momo selection further.

Service was commendable—Bikshya took the time to understand my taste and made excellent recommendations. The hospitality was well above average.

I’ve heard stellar things about their noodles and other dishes, which means Round 2 is already on the cards. Until then, hats off to Hakka Nation for a truly...

I've had hakka at so many different places, and this place definitely ranks near the bottom. I would not recommend going here if you're looking for authentic hakka or just eating hakka in general.

I ordered a small tom yum soup with chicken and Manchurian beef with steamed rice.

Tom yum soup -- might as well have gotten no meat because the chicken was the size of a dime, and had about 5-6 pieces for the entire soup. This is a general theme you will see with other reviews, where hakka nation cuts corners as much as possible.

Manchurian beef -- I ordered at 7:47, the food arrived at 8:12 (25 minutes for rice and Manchurian beef?). The restaurant was practically empty, only another table who already had their order set before I came in. So at most it should take 15 mins if I was being generous. The Manchurian beef was decent but it tasted different from authentic Manchurian beef. It was also overcooked, but nonetheless, the taste was just ok.

Cost - why am I paying $6 for a tom yum soup with barely anything in it? Why does it cost $17 for manchurian beef when all that is offered is steamed rice and smaller proportions? Regular hakka prices have it listed at $15 and the default is fried rice. You can upgrade to noodles for an extra dollar. But here, they decide they deserve an extra $2 for regular rice and less meat.

Tldr: overpriced, small portions, and tastes...