A Must-Visit Roast Meat Shop in Hong Kong – CNN: Zai Xing Is Synonymous with Char Siu

Text & Photos /Untamed Traveler

Zai Xing Roast Meat, a Cantonese roast meat shop that has been in business since the late Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu era, is a beloved local eatery. It was selected as a featured dining spot in the 2015 Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau. American news network CNN even described “Zai Xing as synonymous with char siu.” When you Google “Hong Kong roast meat,” Zai Xing Roast Meat always comes up in the results. With such an outstanding reputation, isn’t it worth trying at least once to satisfy your taste buds?

On my second trip to Hong Kong, I finally got the chance to try this roast meat that everyone raves about. Follow me as I explore what makes this roast meat shop so magical that most who have eaten here can’t stop praising it.

Zai Xing Roast Meat Shop is located near the Wan Chai MTR station on Hong Kong Island. Its exterior looks no different from any typical Hong Kong eatery—there’s nothing overly special or extravagant about the decor. It’s just a humble-looking, approachable little restaurant.

In the transparent display window at the entrance hang roast ducks and roast geese that are glossy and glistening with fat. Crispy-skinned roast suckling pigs and other roast meats are displayed nearby, all designed to make your mouth water.

It was around 11 a.m. at the time, and the shop had only been open for about an hour. As soon as I walked in, I saw nearly every table occupied. The place wasn’t very big—about ten tables and it was full. Most of the customers were locals, though there were one or two tables of diners with Taiwanese accents. They must have come here like me, drawn by the shop’s fame.

Waiters moved swiftly between the customers, busy taking orders, serving food, and attending to diners. Behind the cooking counter, the chefs were constantly in motion, chopping chickens, ducks, and various types of roast meat. Their cleavers moved rhythmically, making a steady “thud, thud, thud” sound.

In addition to roast meat rice dishes, the shop also offers other types of noodles and rice dishes (such as beef brisket curry rice), a variety of side dishes, soups, and drinks. Prices for the roast meat rice dishes range from HK$27 to HK$52 (approximately NT$108 to NT$208), which is considered quite affordable by Hong Kong standards—not extremely cheap, but not overly expensive either.

That day, I got lucky and found an empty seat as soon as I entered. While I was pondering what to order, the waiter recommended the Three Treasures Rice and the Roast Suckling Pig Rice to me, giving a thumbs-up and saying, “These are definitely delicious.” Well, with that kind of assurance, those two it was.

After ordering, the food arrived at our table very quickly, and everything looked incredibly glossy and appetizing.

Let’s start with the Three Treasures Rice, which cost HK$37 (approximately NT$148). As the name suggests, it features a trio of roast meats: char siu, soy sauce chicken, and roast goose. The three meats, drizzled with savory sauces, are piled generously over a bed of fluffy white rice, accompanied by chopped scallions on the side—perfect for mixing into the rice.

The char siu had a firm texture, with its sweet sauce having seeped deep into the meat. One bite into the char siu followed by a mouthful of rice was incredibly satisfying. The soy sauce chicken and roast goose each had their own distinctive flavors—slightly charred skin, tender and flavorful meat, with just the right amount of fat that wasn’t greasy or dry. It was some of the best-quality roast meat I’ve had.

If I had to nitpick, the rice was a bit too soft and mushy—it lacked that ideal, separate-grain texture. It couldn’t compare to the rice in Taiwan or Japan. Actually, most of the rice I’ve had in Hong Kong has been like this. I wonder if locals don’t mind the texture of their white rice, or if the type of rice they use just cooks up that way @ @.

The Roast Suckling Pig Rice, priced at HK$52 (approximately NT$208), was very straightforward—its star was the roast suckling pig. Yes, the plate only contained roast suckling pig and rice. The rice was the same as in the Three Treasures Rice, and while the portion was quite generous, it wasn’t as impressive.

The roast suckling pig was actually quite eye-catching when it first arrived. The skin was roasted to a perfect crisp. You could smell the aroma of the crackling skin even before taking a bite. Those who enjoy fatty meat would probably love it. Once I took a bite, sure enough, I heard that satisfying “crunch, crunch” as my teeth broke through the crispy skin. The rich fat melted in my mouth along with the lean meat, creating an intense flavor. I’m not a huge fan of fatty meat, so I felt it went down better with rice. But my friend who loves fat said he absolutely loved it.

The entire meal, plus two cups of milk tea, came to HK$125 (approximately NT$500) for two people. It’s not super cheap, but enjoying delicious roast meat left us feeling incredibly satisfied—and that’s priceless.

Zai Xing Roast Meat Restaurant
Address: Shop C, G/F, 265-267 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
How to Get There: Exit from Exit A2 of Wan Chai MTR Station, walk along Hennessy Road for about 5 minutes, then turn left at Stewart Road.
Business Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00–22:00, closed on Sundays and public holidays. Closed during traditional Chinese festivals such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Winter Solstice: 10:00–18:00.

Want to see moreof Untamed Traveler’s backpacking adventures?
Welcome to joinUntamed Traveler’s Facebook Fan PageandUntamed Traveler’s Blog

Delicious food all day long
Download the "ETtoday News Cloud APP" to quickly get the latest food news →
iOS:https://goo.gl/rmIDdx
Android:https://goo.gl/XPe8Uj