Hong Kong’s best siu mei

If eating elbow to elbow in a grimy hole-in-the-wall place is not your thing, then pay a visit to the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel’s Dynasty Restaurant. Dynasty boasts some of the best char siu in town – an amazing melt-in-your-mouth and tender meat with perfectly charred sides and a delightful honey glaze. Sit back and enjoy the simple elegance of the dining area, plus a spectacular harbour view. 3/F, Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai, 2584 6971. 

Winning the title of OpenRice’s Best Restaurant 2013, Joy Hing never fails to please. Come here for their famous char siu, tender with the perfect hint of sweetness, and doused in their own signature recipe sauce or the soy chicken. Located smack in the middle of Wan Chai, there is never an empty seat in the house. Be sure to start queuing early to avoid major lunch traffic. Block C, G/F, 265-267 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, 2519 6639.

Opening its doors in 1958, Yue Kee marks the cornerstone for drool-worthy roast goose. The tantalising meat glistens with a thin and crispy layer of skin atop and a thin layer of fat beneath, resulting in a tender and succulent piece of goose. Pair that with the homemade plum sauce, and you’ve got a piece of classic Hong Kong food culture. 9 Sham Hong Rd, Sham Tseng, 2491 0105/2491 0751.

Located a stone’s throw from Lan Kwai Fong, Yung Kee – renowned for its char siu and roast goose – is not only the most famous siu mei restaurant in the city, but it’s also the perfect pre-partying dinner spot. The goose has a crispy flavourful skin on the outside and the braised soy beans beneath the goose, which soak up the fragrant juices, serve as a tasty side dish – plenty of goodness to line your stomach for the night. 32-40 Wellington St, Central, 2522 1624.

Compared to its namesake (only in English, that is), this Yung Kee is more local favourite than star-studded establishment. There’s an array of dishes on the menu like clam soup and stir-fried crab, but one thing that is the pride of the restaurant is their roast pork. The skin is crispy as expected but it’s the choice cut pork belly and the fine layering between fat and meat that makes these morsels scrumptious. 118-120 Fuk Wa St, Sham Shui Po, 2387 1051.