Manchurian Hakka Cuisine takes the Panda Express approach and applies it to Chinese Indian food. The result is a quick and easy way lunch or dinner, but some of the 'must have-ness' is missing from the actual taste. I was really looking forward to this restaurant, but in the end I was left a bit wanting from my experience.
Food -
The food at Manchurian Hakka Cuisine is on-par with what you would find in a mall's food court. The entrees are laid out behind a glass for you to see. You can select one to three entrees in a plate along with fried rice or Hakka noodles (or both). It's good that you can see the food in front of you, because that way you can avoid the food that looks like it has been sitting out there too long.
Since the food isn't made to order, there is the problem of some entrees losing their freshness sitting out under a heat lamp. Like at a place like Panda Express, choose dishes that look the freshest for the best experience.
Manchurian Hakka Cuisine does offer a few select entrees that you really don't see anywhere else. The most unique entree must have been the fried broccoli with Manchurian sauce. I sampled it and found that it was a little like Tempura, but less crispy. The Manchurian sauce was savory, but not so much that I wanted to go back for more. The Hakka noodles are also a specialty here, I believe. These noodles are thicker than your typical chow mein noodles at Panda Express. They are less oily, but lack some of the flavor you'd want from them.
If you do want something more familiar, Manchurian Hakka Cuisine also has a sweet orange chicken entree as well as a beef dish and egg rolls.
Service/Atmosphere -
The restaurant was nearly empty when I came in during regular lunch hours. It was very well kept and clean, which I appreciated. The entire feel of the restaurant was that of a chain restaurant - but not in a bad way. The decor was nice and I appreciated the quality of the dining room's presentation.
The one worker that was manning the counter area was helpful as I came in. He happily answered the questions I had about the food and offered to let me sample whatever it was that I wanted to help me make a decision.
Price -
For a two item combo plate with rice and Hakka noodles and a drink, the total came to be a little over ten bucks. The pricing at Manchurian Hakka Cuisine is very much on par with what you would find at other fast food Asian places of the same ilk. Folks on a budget can get a nice meal for not a lot of money.
Special Tips and Recommendations -
If you are a fan of truly spicy food, I suggest the chili chicken entree. I enjoy spicy food and I was surprised at the level of heat coming out of this entree. It was much hotter than any other item I would find at other similar restaurants. The heat level definitely surprised me and I even overheard other customers talking about how hot it was! If you're a heat fan, give it a try. If you don't like things too spicy, I would definitely avoid it!
Bottom Line -
Manchurian Hakka Cuisine is a pretty average restaurant. If you want something with more character, this isn't the place to go. This restaurant is really for folks on the go who want something quick and easy, but a little different than your typical food. I'm not sure if I'd return here as it doesn't warrant a special trip out.
Letter Grade
C
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