Hawker Fare

YES. Hawker Fare has come to hawk their wares on Valencia. And it’s just as good, if not better, than the Oakland original. In case you can’t tell, we are excited.

Justifiably so, based on the food. This restaurant is a master class in spicing, and it never fails to deliver.

We got the party started with a brisket that had been alchemized into beef jerky. The beef and its jerkiness were good, but the seasoning was even better. The sausage patties brought a different set of zests to the table. Pork chops? Oh, they got pork chops. They’re half as tall and half as wide as you might expect, but the natural juices were flowing and the “whisky, white pepper, coriander root” marinade brings the best possible funk.

The room is a great example of what you can do with a little creativity and (we assume) a lot of money. Colorific tablecloths and hangings brought us back to our imaginary semester abroad in Chiang Mai. Have to give props for the Thai “Pulp Fiction” poster — that decoration alone demonstrates excellent taste.

Hawker Fare is awesome. It’s a good time, relatively cheap, and the food has lots of flavor. It’s unusual to go to a restaurant where every plate tastes like it has a point of view. You may not like it all, but we promise you won’t be bored.