Hao Cafe — Restaurant in Duarte

After the allure of 5-star reviews on Yelp, my anticipation for Hao Cafe in Duarte was high. I was ready for a breakfast that would rival the likes of Alice, Delicious Food Corner, and Tams Noodle. Unfortunately, my experience fell short of the Hong Kong-style cafe standard I had hoped for.

The first sign of trouble was the HK milk tea. Deviating from the traditional method of using a blend of seven teas and the unique silk stocking filtration, Hao Cafe opts for Lipton tea bags. The result is a tea that lacks the complex, rich flavor and silky texture that aficionados like myself seek.

Moving on to the preserved egg congee with pork, I was met with disappointment. The congee lacked the foundational flavors that give this dish its comforting and savory character. Moreover, the texture resembled rice in a soup base rather than the creamy consistency expected of a well-prepared congee. To add to the letdown, the preserved egg, which should be a star ingredient, was scarcely present.

The final straw was the wonton noodles. The wontons themselves were undercooked, with a filling that was overly starchy. The noodles, rather than being al dente with a chewy texture, were mushy. And the soup, typically known for its sweet undertones, was bland.

While Hao Cafe might satisfy local patrons in Duarte, it does not stand up to the established Hong Kong cafes in the San Gabriel Valley. Regrettably, I do not foresee a return visit...

What a great addition to SGV! The prices really can't be beat - nothing is above $14. I've been for both breakfast ($10-$11) and lunch combos ($12-$14) and have to say the variety of lunch options makes it crave-worthy.

Snacks/Sides: You have to get the rice rolls - the house special sauce is so peanuty and delish. Their pineapple bun is also nice and crunchy on the outside with the heaping slice of butter on the inside. Toast super yummy becuase again of the peanut butter. The Chu's bread is like a chunky baguetee (not sure why it's named Chu!)

Mains: My favorite is the 2-item special from the bbq. Generous size scoop of white rice with cha siu and roast pork. I enjoyed the porridge and wonton mein, but nothing beyond expected.

Drinks: Included in the breakfast combos but at lunch it's $1.95 add-on to the lunch combo! I mean...where can you get a milk...

My aunt recommended this restaurant and we were not disappointed! Everything was so delicious and we eat Asian food often so that saying a lot! The pork chop in particular was really crispy and fresh, the fried rice was excellent, the duck and chicken were both super as well. The food came out very fast as soon as we ordered it, and the service was great. Unfortunately, the restaurant is a bit small, but I am kind of glad about that because that way they're able to keep us so good. 100% would go again (we actually ended up eating in the next day because it was so good!). They are also so incredibly helpful when we thought we left a credit card there, they took out our information so that they could call us if they found it and even search the restaurant. Definitely recommend...