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Ho-Jiak, a Hokkien term for delicious, is a new and sincere food joint that serves up affordable curry dons in the Central Business District. Affordable is hardly a term associated with food joints found in the CBD, let alone Japanese cuisine.
So when we found Ho-Jiak, we truly felt like we scored.
Nestled within the unassuming Fuji Xerox Tower, Ho-Jiak’s interior boasts industrial chic, with wooden tables and concrete flooring. Spacious and with a no-frills feel, I can only imagine it being jam packed with office executives during lunch time.
Ho-Jiak’s specialty is the curry don, which is essentially curry rice. You can choose from a variety of meats such as Oven Roasted Chicken Leg, Chicken Karaage, Beef Knuckle Shabu or Pork Shoulder Shabu.
If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, Ho-Jiak also serves Cold Tofu with Roasted Sesame Dressing. Hungry for more? There’s even an option where you can choose two meats, or all in, which is pretty self-explanatory.
Ho-Jiak understands the mental stress that office executives go through on a day to day basis, so it has stocked a variety of craft beers from Hong Kong, Japan and many more. The humble establishment also features seasonal beers, so do keep a look out for those!
Hong Kong Beer ($12)
Malty with a thick hoppy accent, the Hong Kong Beer is the perfect beverage to gulp down after a stressful day. A well-balanced beer with a prominent citrus note, it is refreshing and packs a great punch.
Pork Shoulder Shabu ($8.90)
The rice is served with furikake, which is a total plus because it adds that extra flavour and texture. The curry was sweet, with a subtle hint of spice that wasn’t overpowering, and the pork was soft and savoury, pairing well with the sweet curry to give an overall well-balanced rice bowl.
Beef Knuckle Shabu ($9.90)
The beef knuckle shabu was a bit more robust but nonetheless soft and satisfying. I love how easy it was to chew and how the umami really complemented the sweet curry.
If you’re working in the CBD, I’d definitely recommend heading down for a curry don for lunch. At such a competitive price point with incredibly scrumptious meats and curry, Ho-Jiak is soon going to become your new favourite lunch staple.
Expected damage: $10 – $20 per person
