When I asked my father where he’d like to go to for Father’s Day this year, he didn’t pick a fancy place, or a notable place, or a place he was curious about. He picked the place that we used to get takeaway from regularly when my mum was too busy to cook, Hoh Won. Yes, he’s not a man for trying new things. Being that it was Father’s Day we made sure to book at this little suburban Chinese restaurant. It’s small but popular and does a booming takeaway business. Indeed, the last time we actually ate in here was when I was about 12 years old.

And because my dad loves to eat early (he’s in bed by 9pm every night, see he really doesn’t like adventure), we are sitting down to dinner at 5.30pm. There is already a table mid meal which makes us feel a little less odd. Looking at the blackboard, we do a double take as blackboard specials actually appear on the menu. We get excited at the idea of Peking Duck for $22 but upon asking, we learn that you only get 1/2 a duck which is about the normal price for 1/2 a Peking Duck so we pass. My father loves seafood so we order a slew of dishes that are different from what we normally order. The tables are very close together, with extra tables added to cater for Father’s Day.

Chicken and Ham roll $4.80

Our entree is a Chicken and Ham roll. Before you think this is a normal chicken and ham bread roll, it’s not, rather it’s chicken and ham rolled up and then sliced and deep fried. It’s not bad although they used to make much better chicken and ham rolls about 10 years ago.

Sizzling Seafood Platter $14

Our sizzling seafood platter arrives in a bowl and the waiter pours it into the sizzling cast iron plates, spilling some of it onto the tablecloth. He shrugs and we’re left to pick up several pieces of food that have fallen on the tablecloth after he leaves. The seafood platter itself is good, full of scallops, fat prawns, squid and fish with a fragrant gingery taste and thick sauce.

Chicken with crab meat $13

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