Hei

From the creator of that Wellington institution KC Cafe comes Hei, a refreshingly contemporary take on Chinese cuisine. The look and feel of the two establishments could not be any more different, but they are united by the sheer skill and vision of Michael Chan and an unwavering commitment to excellent Asian food that keeps you hooked.

Hei is a deeply personal expression of joy, family, and culinary craft, a restaurant where every detail, from the handmade sauces to the brick walls, speaks to a story of bold innovation while honouring one’s roots. The atmosphere is calm but purposeful, blending polished wood accents with just a hint of rawness in the exposed poles and concrete, a nod to Michael’s considered approach to blending the old with the new. Lush herbs, including mint and kawakawa, grow alongside jars of preserved ingredients, acting as a subtle bridge between the dining space and the heart of the kitchen.

The menu is deliberately made for sharing, not only to encourage a variety of flavours but also as another homage to time-honoured Chinese modes of eating and socialising. Hei’s dishes draw heavily on the traditions of Cantonese cuisine, with a focus on precision, flavour, and reverence for ingredients. But there’s a distinct modern edge here too. House-made baos come pillowy-soft with creative twists (the pumpkin vegan version is a visual delight), and the standout Peking duck is served with delicately thin pancakes, rolled in-house and perfected through meticulous trial and error.

By day, Hei is more casual: think generously portioned dan dan noodles and other hefty individual meals. Come evening, it shifts into something more intimate and layered, where flavours are explored across the table. Even the cocktails reflect this approach, created in collaboration with the team from neighbouring Dee’s Place, using the same ingredients found in Hei’s kitchen.

While Michael set up KC Cafe many moons ago as a way to provide for his family, Hei is the manifestation of his full culinary creativity unleashed. Built from years of dreaming and note-taking, this is an eatery shaped by a life lived between two cultures, and the happiness that comes from sharing it.