If you ever find yourself in Hong Kong, do remember that roast goose is one of the city’s must eats. There are a number of famous eateries offering this sumptuous delight, and here is one that I’ve visited twice and would like to recommend.

We had headed over to Yung Kee at Wellington Street first, the most famous one of the lot. However as we had limited time before catching a flight, we were not able to wait in line for long and so decided to pop over to the next road, Stanley Street, where Yat Lok is situated.

As Yat Lok is ‘cha chan teng’ style, turn over was pretty quick and so our party of two was able to get seats shortly after arriving. Of course, we had to share a table with another group, but that’s Hong Kong for you – I didn’t mind the local cultural immersion, really.

I haven’t yet had the chance to try Yung Kee so I can’t quite compare between the two, but my impression is that Yat Lok is able to serve up really juicy and delicious tasting roast goose for a better price, and so I was quite happy with it. I even went back again last year after my first visit in 2013.

Besides the roast goose, duck and soya sauce chicken, Yat Lok also does a pretty mean char siew (barbecued pork), the fatty and juicy kind which I like.

I didn’t quite fancy the sio ba (roast pork) as much though, thought it was a bit on the dry side. But this was still of an above average standard and quite enjoyable.

The star of the place is of course the roast goose. Crisp, glistening skin and juicy flesh, the goose drumstick was really a delight to eat. Same went for the soya sauce chicken, which was really tender and delicious too.

The soup was tasty, enriched with the oil from the meat, and the noodles (both the thick bee hoon and egg noodles) were of a good bouncy texture that was not too hard.

Its not cheap compared to hawker fare in Singapore, but depending on what you order, for around HKD$100-200 (~S$20-40), you can get a big, satisfying meal with lots of delicious meat, possibly some vegetables and a drink.

And definitely less expensive than the famous Yung Kee (I hear that it is not significantly so, but at least I also hear that the quality is on par) too!

The next time I go to Hong Kong, I might pay Yung Kee and the other famous roast goose shops a visit just to try them – but if I’m pressed for time, I would happily go back to Yat Lok again instead.

Service is of the famous Hong Kong-style; no nonsense and transactional.

Last year, Yat Lok earned itself a Michelin star.

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Yat Lok
G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Hong Kong
4 minute walk from Exit D2 of Central station

Open from Mondays to Saturdays from 10.00am to 9.00pm and Sundays from 10.00am to 5.30pm.

Tel: +852 2524 3882