Sun Kwai Heung — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

🍖 When it comes to Cantonese-styled Roast/BBQ meats (“Siu Mei”), whether in 🇭🇰Hong Kong, or anywhere else; my first choice of meat would not be “Charsiu” or BBQ Pork. The reason is that in most places, the meat comes across as rather dry or chewy either because the cut of meat used lacks the right balance of fat, or perhaps the skills to marinate and then BBQ the meat just isn’t quite there, or the meat’s been sitting too long…

🐷 My tastebuds were however blown away by this tiny little stall in Chai Wan. With only two tables, most of the customers come to “Sun Kwai Heung” to takeaway a full range of “Siu Mei” also including Roasted Suckling Pig and Pork Belly, Goose, Duck, Chicken etc.. But their “Charsiu” is truly the standout dish - moist, tender and well marinated with caramelised flavours (not exactly the same but reminiscent of some of the best 🇲🇾Malaysian “Charsiu” that’s more charred..).. it’s truly amazing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️… The Roasted Suckling Pig was lovely and more importantly crispy as well - which is a rather basic expectation that many “Siu Mei” eateries that I’ve tried have been unable to fulfill.. As with most “Siu Mei” shops, complimentary soup (cooked from all the meat bones that they have for the day) is served with your meal.....

This really unassuming roast meat shop is considered to have one of the best char siu in Hong Kong. Chai wan is not a place you would visit unless you live in the area, which is a good thing as the lines are reasonable and the prices aren’t inflated. There is limited seating so it’s best to come in a small group or do take away.

Food: 4 stars Value: 4.5 stars Overall: 4.25 stars Recommendations: char siu, goose, duck leg

It is definitely one of the better versions I have had and is comparable to the more high end iberico pork versions served in the Michelin restaurants. The char siu is not sweet at all and you get that nice touch of sweetness from the dipping sauce which is very good here. The consistency is not as thick as most places and has the right level of sweetness. I also had the duck leg here and that was also great.

For a place with this type of reputation the price point is quite low. Usually when places in HK have a following the prices are at sit down restaurant levels. So I would be dissuaded by the fact that the price is slightly higher than in the cooked food center. Next time I do want to try the...

Local Gem

Definitely a place I’d recommend. We went on a Sunday afternoon. This quaint little joint has two little tables that can accommodate 5 people in total. We were fortunate to snatch a table on a busy Sunday afternoon. We ordered “Lai Pai” meats, which are individually plated meats, that tend to be of a better cut and higher price than the ones served in a set. A typical set would be the meat of choice served on rice.

We had three soups, Soya Sauce Chicken Laipai, Charsiew Laipai and Crispy Pork Belly Laipai and two bowls of rice for three people.

Chicken was delicious, the right amount of sweet and salty. The Charsiew could’ve had thicker slices, which is probably a request I’ll put in when I order it in the future. We requested for the best cut which the waiter suggested we order Laipai. Because we had three people we opted for more meats and less rice. Crispy Pork aka SiewYuk, was nice and crackly, but less flavourful, I guess it’s a no frills type where not much flavour or spices come through. But all in all was a great experience. A place...