Yat Lok

In demand roasted goose

Roasted goose and BBQ pork (Char Siu)

If you are traveling to Hong Kong and is a real foodie, the chance is Yak Lok is most likely to be high on your to visit list. The reason is simple, Yat Lok is renown for its legendary roasted goose, which the special cooking formula has been passed down by many generations. The family business is hugely popular, with people queuing every day no matter what time it is. The restaurant has also been awarded a Michelin star since 2016, taking its popularity to the next level and became one of the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant in the world.

Yat Lok

The famous long wait to score a table at Yat Lok...

The menu is very limited with pretty much only Cantonese style roasted meat as the offering, along with steamed vegetables and poached dumplings, which is rather odd to find a classic Cantonese roasted meat restaurant, but I actually found the dumpling pretty enjoyable, the filling had a hint of sweetness from the vegetables and a spicy undertone, the cleanness of the flavour actually acted as a contract to the roasted goose. The goose was very rich with a thick sweet sauce glazing, it was moist and had a lovely crispy skin. For me it was a touch too heavy in taste to be eaten on its own, but I can see it would be a great match with a bowl of steamed rice. 

Pork and vegetables dumplings

Roasted goose

Does Yat Lok serve the best roasted goose in Hong Kong? For me the award would go to Kam's which is not far away from Yat Lok. I just found Kam's roasted goose is more balance in taste, the restaurant itself is also bigger and there is a much wider choice on its menu, meaning you are not just stuck with roasted meat, which could be crucial if you happen to visit with a vegan. The service at Yat Lok, just like many other classic Chinese joints, almost doesn't exist. The waiter would expect you to order right away once you sit down and try to rush you out once you are done with the food. This is not the kind of restaurant you should consider if proper table service is a must for you.


Food 3/5

What I paid: 
£24 per head

Average cost without drinks and services :
£15

G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Hong Kong

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