photos by SAIL OFF PHOTOGRAPHY
Winston-Salem is home to many Asian eateries, but HakkaChow remains one of the Triad’s most beloved spots for sushi, gyoza, and cocktails. The ladies of Forsyth Woman and I visited HakkaChow on a Wednesday evening and were served a multi-course dinner by the lovely and attentive Abigail, alongside owner Jonathan Chung. As a budding sushi enthusiast and HakkaChow frequenter, I was nothing short of elated to be able to get up close and personal with the establishment’s newest menu items.
HakkaChow’s location and stylish dining room provide patrons with an elevated Asian cuisine experience. Perfect for a date night or a casual business lunch, HakkaChow’s versatile lunch, dinner, sushi, and cocktail menus keep customers coming back meal after meal. Some of the Triad’s most innovative sushi rolls reside on the menu, although trusty classics such as the spicy tuna roll and California roll have always been my go-to order for a light lunch. In fact, HakkaChow offers a convenient and budget-friendly sushi lunch special with your choice of any two or three rolls from a select menu combined with soup or salad. Craving a bit of beef on top of your sushi? One of my favorite specialty rolls, the Surf and Turf Roll, includes kani, asparagus, cucumber, tuna, yellowtail, and savory Korean BBQ beef, drizzled with spicy aioli and Korean hot sauce for a well-rounded, spicy sushi combination.
Although Wednesdays offer all mojito cocktails $2 off, the ladies and I were craving a white wine to accompany our sushi. After settling in with a glass of sauvignon blanc, we were provided with steamed and fried Kobe Beef Dumplings straight from the restaurant’s revamped menu. Filled with wagyu beef, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, and sweet potato noodles, the dumplings paired perfectly with the soy-ginger dipping sauce and Korean hot sauce on the side.
We were next provided with crispy Crab Wontons with a chili oil-infused lemongrass sauce, in addition to the unmatched Kimchi Cheese Fries appetizer for a spicy sriracha kick. It goes without saying that HakkaChow’s extensive offering of delicious appetizers makes it difficult to save room in your stomach for sushi.
Our first sushi entree was the incredible Salmon Tartare Roll consisting of cream cheese, Kani salad, cucumber, and salmon tartare. The roll was followed by the striking HakkaChow’s Sushi Tower. Layered with sushi rice, spicy tuna, crab salad, and avocado, this is the perfect sharing entree with family and friends. Even novice sushi eaters can find solace in giving spicy tuna a try with the iconic Sushi Tower.
We wrapped up the evening with our final entrée, the Kung Pao Shrimp, stir-fried with roasted chili, peanuts, onions, mushrooms, carrots, green peppers, and zucchini. While we were a bit too full for dessert, ask your server for the restaurant’s selection of sweet treats to cleanse your palate before heading home. With the help of Abigail, Jonathan, and the wonderful chefs, HakkaChow’s chic interior, dining experience, and service were exceptional from start to finish.
Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially for larger parties, as tables fill up quickly during prime dining time. Visit HakkaChow at 615 St George Square Ct in Winston-Salem, and view the menu and order online at www.hakka-chow.com. Book a reservation using the OpenTable app, or call the restaurant directly at (336 893-8178. Gift certificates are available for purchase in-store.
