Happy is as Henry does - our top local Cantonese

Henry Ma chose the rather singular name of his traditional Cantonese diner in the Orana Mall, the “Happy Chinese Restaurant”, for a very good reason.

“It’s a good name, isn’t it? I just like it, no-one’s going to forget it,” he said.

“It’s lucky, it’s easy to remember, and my wife (Joanna) likes it, too,” he added.

His journey to the golden west came via Canberra and Warren, where he worked running a restaurant for a decade, before moving to Dubbo just over five years ago.

The local summers, he adds don’t bother him, likening them to those of Guangzhou in southern China, where he grew-up.

“I like Dubbo, it’s got friendly people, it’s good for the children’s study, it’s got culture and everything, it’s also got sports of every kind; football, netball, everything you want to play.

“The heat? It’s the same as China, you still have spring, summer, winter, and autumn, it’s no different here.”

With chef ’s suggestions ranging from red curry chicken, rainbow beef, salt and pepper pork chop, honey mustard calamari, and Chu Hou sauce beef brisket, Henry finds it hard to pick out his own top item on the menu.

“I actually like a lot of dishes, I don’t really have a favourite myself,” he explains.

“A lot are good, it just depends on the type of meal that different people prefer, seafood, beef, pork, or chicken,” he added.

One thing, diners shouldn’t have any trouble picking a day to eat out, the Happy Chinese is open for almost any time you want.

“I’m the chef and owner, and I work six days and seven nights, I keep very busy,” he said.

“I have Monday lunchtimes off though; I like my work, and we all have to pay the rent,” he concluded.