Talk about Roast Goose in Hong Kong and everyone would think of the usual names—Kam’s Roast Goose, Yat Lok Roast Goose, Yung Kee Restaurant etc.

But Joy Hing’s Roasted Meat is hardly at the top of mind. It is a shame because this humble eatery in Wanchai actually has one of the best roast geese in Hong Kong. And the service isn’t as atrocious as that of Yat Lok’s.

A meal at Joy Hing always pleases and it is one pit stop we’d always make in Hong Kong for an affordable and very heavenly roast goose.

Tucked away in Wanchai, Joy Hing’s Roasted Meat is a Cantonese roast stall that serves excellent roast meats—char siew, roast duck, roast goose, soya chicken and the likes.

There is nothing fanciful about this place; just your typical Hong Kong-style ”rundown” eatery with tables and chairs that are all cramped up so there is barely space to move. But hey, that’s quintessentially Hong Kong, right?

We still love a meal at Joy Hing; we always do. It has one of the most affordable prices in Hong Kong; a plate of roast goose rice is HK$47 while half a roast goose will only set you back by HK$220.

The beautiful poultry is roasted to produce a shiny, crisp skin; the inside is very tender and very fatty. Dip it into the homemade sweet plum sauce for an explosion of flavours in your mouth.

The most common order of Joy Hing’s Roasted Meat is the Three-Treasure Rice (HK$25) which comprises soya sauce, roasted duck and char siew atop steamed white rice. Three types of glorious meats all on one plate; that is sheer enjoyment.

You’d be happy to know that the staff at Joy Hing’s Roasted Meat are (mostly) friendly. You wouldn’t be subjected to verbal abuse and all that shouting like you would at the other (in)famous eateries.

Joy Hing’s Roasted Meat
265-267 Hennessy Rd,
Chong Hing Building,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2519 6639
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Causeway Bay

Yat Lok is one of the most famous roast goose restaurants in Hong Kong but does it really live up to its hype? This is one question that has been debated over and over again and sometimes.

The roast goose institution sits on Stanley Street in Central Hong Kong and is infamous for their atrocious service. The group of staff is some of the most impatient and rudest around; you have been warned.

But people from all over the world still brave the “harsh treatment” for their roast goose. Would you do the same? Well, here’s what we think.

Yat Lok is a family-run establishment and is a household name amongst locals for many years even before it was recommended in the Michelin guide and bestowed an honourable Michelin star in 2015, though they lost it this year in 2017.

It has been nearly half a century since award-winning Yat Lok started serving amazing roast meat with their family secret recipe, and the rest is history.

Unlike most Michelin-star restaurants, Yat Lok does not have a fancy set-up and its unnoticeable shopfront will have you doing a double take. Friendly staff service and well-furbished interiors are practically non-existent.

And the star of the shop—Roast Goose. Now, we have to say every trip had us realising how incredibly gratifying every bite of the roast goose is. Roasted to perfection with a beautiful crisp to its skin, even celebrity food critic (and our idol) Anthony Bourdain is a fan.

There are several other combinations such as the Roast Goose & Soya Chicken Noodles but we’d say stick to the classic Roast Goose Rice. The chicken was nothing to shout about at all and in fact, pretty underwhelming.

For ultimate satisfaction, go for the Roast Goose Drumstick Rice (HK$108). Still not enough? Add on Char Siew for HK$30. If you are dining in a big group, go for half a goose (HK$290) or even a whole (HK$580).

Yat Lok Restaurant
Conwell House, G/F,
34-38 Stanley St, Central, Hong Kong
Mon to Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: 10am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: Central