Vittor B.
Yelp
Hei Hei Rice Roll - A Modest Encounter with Double Happiness
Hei Hei literally translates to "Happy Happy" in Chinese -- or, in other words, "Double Happiness." With a name like that, I expected a cheerful breakfast experience when I stumbled upon this food court spot in Richmond after a morning visit to the Passport Office.
At 10 a.m., the food court had just opened. Foot traffic was minimal, and many stalls were still closed, lending the space a quiet, almost sleepy atmosphere.
Hei Hei Rice Roll boasts stone-ground rice rolls made on-site. However, don't expect the traditional Cantonese-style rice rolls served at dim sum restaurants. Hei Hei's version is much thinner -- almost paper-thin -- and while that might appeal to some, I personally found them underwhelming despite the hype.
The shrimp used in the rice rolls tasted like they had been previously frozen -- lacking the freshness and sweetness of good quality seafood. To make matters worse, green onions were omitted unless specifically requested, which felt like unnecessary corner-cutting.
Presentation-wise, the food looked clean and modern, served in sleek white plastic containers alongside disposable wooden chopsticks. But environmentally conscious diners might take issue with the lack of recyclable or compostable materials -- everything was single-use plastic.
The breakfast combo included their so-called Sampan Congee. It was lukewarm at best and fairly ordinary in taste. Typical condiments like white pepper were self-serve at the counter, while chili oil came in a portion cup -- again, only if you asked for it. It all felt a bit uninspired.
Value-wise, this Hong Kong-style breakfast doesn't deliver. Given the basic ingredients and portion size, most menu items could have been priced at least 30-50% lower. But with mall food court rents -- especially in Richmond, where a large portion of the population is Asian -- perhaps inflated prices are inevitable.
Ordering is done at the front counter, where the cashier was, frankly, emotionless. She spoke minimal English, and my Mandarin didn't get me very far. I later read online reviews commenting on the unfriendly service -- something I wish I'd seen beforehand.
There are several other food vendors nearby offering more interesting and better-value dishes. I plan to check those out next time. As for Hei Hei Rice Roll -- it's a one-time visit for me.