I may not have grown up on Hong Kong dramas, but I was raised by people who certainly did. My grandma, in particular, was deeply immersed in the HK entertainment scene. The Four Heavenly Kings were her idols, and thanks to her, I learnt more about them than I ever thought I would (or wanted).
It’s a shame she’s no longer with us, because she would have absolutely loved this restaurant I recently discovered in Kuchai Lama. Infused with the charm of HK in the 80s, 80s Home Cook Cuisine feels like stepping into a scene straight out of a nostalgic film.
A true homage to Hong Kong cinema
This restaurant is only open from 6pm onwards and accessible by reservation only. Walk-ins aren’t entertained and for good reason: the place is consistently packed.
The décor is a love letter to Hong Kong’s cinematic golden era. Film posters adorn the walls, while parts of the space mimic a dimly lit back alley. You almost expect Andy Lau himself to emerge in a trench coat at any moment.
But ambience isn’t the only thing that requires forethought. Many dishes here take up to days to prepare, so pre-ordering is highly recommended to ensure that you get to taste their specialities.
The chef-owner, an authentic Hong Kong native with years of experience in hotel kitchens, is a reserved but friendly man. While modest about himself, he lights up when discussing his food, and it shows.
The famous crab rice
The crown jewel of 80s Home Cook Cuisine is its Claypot Rice with Handpicked Crab Meat. When it arrived, I was puzzled to see whole crabs sitting atop plain white rice. The magic happened when a bowl of freshly picked crab meat and rich, savoury gravy appeared.
I watched, wide-eyed, as the crab meat sauce was poured over the rice before everything was mixed together.
As someone who appreciates not having to wrestle with crab shells, the pre-extracted meat was already a win. But it was the deeply umami and subtly sweet crab meat sauce that truly stole the show. It’s no surprise the claypot was empty even before the waiter returned.
Sweet, sour & succulent pork
Next came the Iberico Pork Char Siu with Balsamic Vinegar, served on a mini grill set placed over a rectangular pot. The pot was engraved with old Chinese script, a nice touch of theatrical presentation without being gimmicky.
The char siu glistened with fat and caramelised edges. While I would have enjoyed the pork on its own, the balsamic vinegar added a layer of brightness, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
A pleasantly surprising, strange soup
The Fish Maw Chicken Soup with Shark Fin and Abalone was a showstopper in its own right. Served with a whole bloated-looking chicken sitting snugly inside a claypot, the dish looked almost comical at first.
The waiter then cut open the chicken’s skin, releasing a flood of golden broth. The soup was intensely savoury yet clean-tasting, filled with tender chicken and generous abalone slices. For such a strange-looking dish, it was an outstanding dish.
More crabs, please
Despite starting the meal with crab, we couldn’t resist ordering the Crab Steamed with Huadiao, Chicken Oil and Chencun Rice Noodles. Quite the mouthful of a name.
The rice noodles are somewhat similar to chee cheong fun, albeit much flatter, but the sauce was what made the dish special. Mildly sweet and salty, it was a great complement to the juicy crab meat. Of course, bathing the meat in the sauce before every bite is compulsory.
Pork? Rice? In a ball? Pure paradise.
Our final dish was the Signature Crispy Suckling Pig Sticky Rice Ball. Think roast pork, but with meat wrapped around a ball of glutinous rice. Each piece combined crispy skin, juicy pork, and chewy glutinous rice for a satisfying mouthful. Going for the last piece on the place, this was, without question, my favourite of the night.
Worth you and your grandma’s time
Between the cinematic décor, rare Hong Kong dishes, and the chef’s evident passion, dining at 80s Home Cook Cuisine is a unique experience. So perhaps now’s the perfect time to take your grandma out for dinner. Who knows, she might start reminiscing about the days when she was smitten with Andy Lau and Tony Leung.
80s Home Cook Cuisine
Address: 27, Jalan 2/115A, Taman Pagar Ruyong, Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 6pm – 12am daily | Closed on Mondays
Contact: 012-5278789
Halal Status: Non-halal
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