Dining like an emperor

Who doesn't love spicy, filling and comfort food? Hakka Chinese offers all of that and much more. Red Emperor has captured the hearts of Dhakaites as one of the leading Hakka Chinese restaurants in the city, with delicious yet reasonably priced meals.  

You can choose one item each from a platter of soup, appetiser, noodles, rice, chicken, beef, and prawn or fish. The platters come in two options - a platter for two people priced at Tk.1250 and a platter for four priced at Tk.2400. The generous portions are perfect for hungry souls, looking for a satisfying escapade. 

The ambiance is comfortable enough for a quick meal with your dear ones. There are Chinese encryptions and surrealistic paintings on the walls echoing the cultural nuances of Hakka Chinese culture. The atmosphere is great for taking family and friends out for a scrumptious meal. 

Chicken cream corn soup 4/5
The soup is a definite yes for those who want to start the course with something that is soothing and not at all spicy. It was cooked to perfection, with chunky amounts of chicken and sweet corn. The broth was also cooked well, and it was not too thin or thick, and tasted just right.

Squid spicy salt and pepper 3.5/5
The fried squid was garnished with spring onions and pepper powder. It was not over fried or greasy, and had a crunchy feel. It was cooked very simply, with flavours of salt and pepper dominating the dish. It did seem a bit dry though, and you can ask for a chilli sauce if you find the taste a bit bland.

Chicken Hakka noodles 2/5
The noodles came with ample portions of chicken strips and vegetables. You will find yourself exploring the various flavours of Hakka spices with each mouthful of the noodles. The noodles however was slightly on the greasy side and arguably could have been made from fresher ingredients.

Chicken fried rice 3/5
The chicken fried rice also came with ample portions of chicken. The spices were infused with the rice and chicken, giving a flavourful dish. The rice dish complemented the side dishes very well as it did not have a particular dominant taste.  

Beef sizzling 3/5
The dish was served hot on a platter of sliced beef and sweet sauce garnishing. The beef was tender but lacked the particular sizzling effect that the dish is generally known for. Overall, the dish was pleasantly spicy.    

Kungpao chicken 4/5
The chicken came dipped in a sweet and sour sauce with pepper and peanut garnishing. The chicken chunks were well cooked and juicy, and tasted just about right with the rice. The crunch of the peanuts along with the chewy chicken and finger licking sauce made this dish the highlight of the meal.

Prawn Chilli Garlic 3.5/5
The prawn chilli garlic tasted a lot like the Kungpao chicken. It had a more of a sour and garlic taste than the chicken. The prawns were large and soft, making the dish a superb addition to the meal. 

Red Emperor is popular for its Bangla-Chinese cuisine and affordable prices. It is a place to go to when you are really hungry, and you want food that is filling, spicy and flavourful. The two branches of the restaurant in the city are located at Banani and Uttara at House 15 (1st floor), Road No 8, Banani and House 2 (1st floor), Road 2, Sector 1, Uttara, respectively.
Open from: 12pm– 4 pm, 6.30pm – 11pm.