Roasties — Restaurant in Great Britain

I would like to declare that this is not simply a 5-star review of Roasties. This is simultaneously a 1-star review of every other Chinese restaurant in the UK. With every fibre of my being, I can confirm that Roasties is above cuisine itself, transcending the fabrics which weave the flavours of the universe. Roasties is a cultural phenomenon.

At my lowest, I have stomached irredeemable abominations that pitifully attempt to capture the brilliance of 中餐. For too long, the UK has enveloped me in a landfill of greasy, unpaletteable 'chow mein' that catered to the unwashed masses, leaving myself no choice but to await the impending Stockholm syndrome. My ancestors were looking down at me ashamed and appalled—and yours are too.

Roasties is not a restaurant—it is a revelation.

This recount of enlightenment begins on an unsuspecting weekday, not a shred of a clue as to what would unfold. The reminiscence of quality Chinese street roast was fading into another bygone memory. Like a desert mirage, my insatiable desire coerced my eyes into believing an oasis rested tenderly across the street. To my utter bewilderment, my vision hadn't fooled me. Roasties was an illusory refuge materialized. It was almost as if I had snapped back into consciousness from a lifetime of sleepwalking.

Assuming a sprinter's form, I plunged tongue-first at mach-five through the restaurant's doors, tables, and clientele. Immediately, I inhaled the aroma of oven-roasted duck. My dopamine receptors thundered in a frenzy, like a slot machine landing on triple 7s. My pupils dilated to their absolute maximum size. My body was pulsating with vigour, ready to feast.

Hastily seating myself, I contained my ravenous, feral appetite. Saliva cascaded down my jaws as I hyperventilated. Not before long, a plate, pale as the full moon, rested before me with an assortment of glistening meats upon steaming rice. Vegetables blazoned the perimeter, contrasting the meat's luxurious, golden exterior with a vibrant flora. Centerstage, the moist, white meat was brindled with charred, deep black specks, symbiotically forming a harmony akin to Yin and Yang. Truly a marvel of culinary engineering.

On the first bite, the crisp, crackling sonic textures of pork skin gracefully landed upon my eardrums—a virtuoso's symphony recited on a masterwork instrument. However, this beauty is not skin-deep. Beneath the exquisite exterior lies a vast reservoir of flavour, fragrance, and finesse—spanning far beyond the cullinary nebulae. Each chew releases a torrent of moisture and savoriness. Each bite cultivates a yearning for the next. A salty yet subtle splash of sweet soy sauce synergises with the sublime slices of meat. Simply a spectacular solar system of songs, succulence, and smells. And for it's closing act, a flavour that lingers long after the final bite.

This emotionally resonant masterpiece was nothing short of poetic. Absolutely breathtaking. To dine on a Magnum opus of this calibre, I had to pause and compose myself several times from the unyielding stream of tears. It was like witnessing the entirety of humanity's brilliance, from fire to agriculture to writing to the Apollo Mission to THIS. The satisfaction truly made me consider transforming into a Guru who will spend the remainder of his life meditating in the Himalayas.

For those yet to embark on this enchanting journey, a sanctuary awaits.

Bravissimo, Roasties. I patiently await the shifts to the cullinary landscape you have in store for us all. My fellow Chinese cuisine connoisseurs, have a life-changing epiphany at...

Nice and clean shop, lovely staff and excellent food. We went as a party of 7 and had a variety of things. It was really nice to see some Hakka dishes, they were great and tasted just like our grandma makes. The triple roast and the special - grilled chicken in garlic and wine were amazing. Really, honestly excellent food. Also we had a lovely chat with someone (I think he was the owner) about Hong Kong, family, all of that. I'll definitely be going back soon.

FYI - We spent about £15 per person for food and drinks. There are maybe 8/10 tables, most of which are 2-seater, with one 6-seater table. There's no parking out the front as it's on a busy junction. There is some free parking on the residential streets around the shop. This is more of a cafe style place rather than a restaurant, in my opinion, so it's not silver service, but it is clean...

Visited with my family on a Xmas break after hearing so much about this place. We weren’t disappointed. Authentic Hakka /Hong Kong canteen style eatery located in trendy Cathays suburb serving Chinese bbq style roast meats (duck, char siu, soy chicken and belly pork) with rice, as well as your regular dishes (sweet and sour, seafood crispy noodles, Singapore vermicelli, chilli and salt chicken / prawns) and more including the owner’s handmade chilli oil that goes with everything! The portions are very generous and reasonably priced. Coming from Manchester where such eateries are in abundance in Chinatown, it’s fantastic to see this style of cuisine in Cardiff. Note that the roast chicken and duck are served on the bone and it’s worth asking for alternatives if that’s not what you’re used to....