Indulge in majestic roast goose at Hong Kong Roasted Goose King in Pavilion Damansara Heights
In KL, chicken and duck are the everymen of the table, reliable and familiar. But goose? Goose is tantalising, sultry, and impossible to resist.
It is the Jessica Rabbit of poultry, a sex symbol for roasted birds if ever there was one, standing as the very pinnacle of crisp-skinned indulgence.
It's always been possible to find decent — even good — roast goose in KL, if you know where to look or are willing to fork out for it.
But the newly-opened Hong Kong Roasted Goose King in Pavilion Damansara Heights takes the searching out of the equation (though not, unfortunately, the cost).
They're the 'king', but you can't even see the geese from outside.
Conveniently located on the first floor, right next to The Food Merchant Prelude, it offers temptation in plain sight.
Well, not quite. For a place that prides itself on roast goose, they're awfully coy with the actual prize.
Out front, there's little more than plain signage and a few buntings promoting the opening, with a picture of the goose that hints at the real thing the way a pinup poster might.
Beautiful specimens hanging at the window.
You have to actually look inside — and when you do, and see those magnificent specimens hanging in the window, glistening with their perfect, golden skin, it's impossible not to feel the pull. They're practically purring at you.
These birds (flown in from China) are roasted over an open flame, a deliberate choice by the sifu, a Malaysian who spent decades in Hong Kong mastering the art.
According to a feature in Nanyang Siang Pau, he began in 1976 at the now-closed Lung Fung Tea House in Mong Kok, Kowloon, a place famed for its roast goose lai fun, a true Hong Kong classic.
The sheen afforded by the goose fat allows the skin to glisten under the light.
We ordered half a goose (RM178), and it arrived looking every bit the prize it promised to be. For that price, it had better impress.
I sank my teeth into that lacquer-like skin, and the first thing that hit was the fat — a luscious, indecent mess. It splashed across my tongue, coated my lips, dribbled down my chin.
The plum sauce felt like an afterthought next to all that juicy decadence, though the sliced cucumber and braised peanuts made for a nice reset between bites of rich, savoury goose.
There's no guilt here; only pleasure remains.
The soy-sauce chicken here carries a strong note of Chinese rose wine.
Not content with just goose, we moved on to the soy-sauce chicken, which came highly recommended by the manager, one Mr Kar Fai (Tong, not Leung), on account of the Chinese rose wine used, flown in from Hong Kong no less.
In fact, the backers of the restaurant seem to have spared little expense in importing a slice of Hong Kong, with everything from the ovens to the century eggs brought in.
As a result, half a chicken (RM58) costs a pretty penny, and while its delicate savoury depth made for a deft contrast to the richness of the goose, the sweetness might be a little much for some.
'Char siew' here is true to Hong Kong style.
The char siew (RM30), on the other hand, was less convincing. It wasn't bad, but it lacked the deep caramelisation and yielding tenderness that makes Malaysian char siew so much better in comparison.
Yes, hot take: I think the best places in Malaysia roast char siew, and siew yoke for that matter, better than Hong Kong.
Our version leans darker, stickier, almost melting into each bite. True to the Hong Kong style, this one felt a little too polite by comparison.
A far more satisfying dish was the steamed minced pork with preserved vegetable (RM26.80). Hand-minced with a cleaver rather than ground by machine, the rustic texture of the pork was so springy it practically snapped back with every bite.
It doesn't look like much, but the steamed minced pork with preserved vegetable is an excellent dish.
The mui choy, also specially flown in from — you guessed it, Hong Kong — was crunchy and sweet, adding a lovely contrast.
When it comes to carbs, the options don't disappoint. There's the smooth, velvety porridge, milky white and proper Cantonese style. Or the springy wanton noodles, a solid choice if you want something more substantial.
But with the prices here, you're better off ordering a single portion of roast goose with rice for RM32.80. It was the most popular choice across tables both times I visited.
You don't choose which part of the goose you get, but with that moist, fatty bird, it doesn't matter. It's excellent either way, and you'll be happy to sample her highness.
Oh, and don't leave without getting either the red bean or green bean with tangerine peel (RM12) dessert.
They're hearty and, most importantly, not too sweet, with the citrusy hit from the peel rounding it out perfectly. It doesn't get more Hong Kong than that.
烧鹅大王 Hong Kong Roasted Goose KingLot 1.17.00, Level 1, Pavilion Damansara Heights, Damansara Town Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Open daily, 11am-9.30pmTel: 010-286 8632
Facebook: Instagram:
* This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.
* Follow us on Instagram for more food gems.
* Follow Ethan Lau on Instagram for more musings on food and mildly self-deprecating attempts at humour.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Newsweek
Los Angeles Labubu Heist: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Masked thieves stole approximately $7,000 worth of popular Labubu collectible dolls Wednesday morning from a toy store in La Puente, California, according to the Associated Press. Newsweek has reached out to the LA County Sheriff's Department via email on Saturday for comment. What Are Labubu Dolls? Labubu dolls are fluffy, gremlin-style toys and bag charms that are equal parts cute and creepy. The toys come in an array of different colors and feature big, pointed bunny rabbit ears, wide eyes and a wide spiky-toothed grin. Part of a wider series of creatures dubbed "The Monsters," inspired by mythology, Labubus are designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Part of the appeal is that Labubus are sold as "blind box" collectibles, which means you don't know which one you have until you've opened the box. This makes it harder to collect a full set and adds to the appeal of unboxing videos. The exclusive dolls play into one of the most dominant fashion trends of the past few seasons: the bag charm. According to fashion data website Lyst, in 2024, demand for bag charms and bags with embellishments rose by 352 percent month-on-month and they were a prominent feature on the FW25 runways, appearing in 33 percent of Louis Vuitton menswear looks, as per Databutmakeitfashion. In the past year, the Chinese toymaker's annual revenues grew in Southeast Asia by 619 percent to $309 million dollars, as per CNN. Shares in Pop Mart have risen more than 95 percent this year, after a 370 percent surge in 2024, according to the South China Morning Post. A collection of Labubu toys in a Pop Mart outlet in Hangzhou city in east China's Zhejiang province on July 17. A collection of Labubu toys in a Pop Mart outlet in Hangzhou city in east China's Zhejiang province on July 17. FeatureChina via AP Images What To Know The LA County Sheriff's Department confirmed the suspects used a stolen Toyota Tacoma in the heist, which was recovered shortly after the incident. One Stop Sales, located about 18 miles east of Los Angeles, was completely ransacked during the break-in, according to the owners and authorities. Security footage shows multiple suspects wearing hoodies and face coverings methodically clearing shelves and carrying boxes of merchandise out of the toy store. Joanna Avendano, co-owner of One Stop Sales, told local station ABC7 that she had noticed a suspicious truck parked near her store before closing Tuesday night. She added that she believes the burglars had been watching the shop's social media account where Avendano had recently posted a video announcing a new restock of Labubus. What People Are Saying One Stop Sales released a statement on their Instagram: "We are still in shock. They took all of our inventory [and] trashed our store. We are asking for everyone's help in finding these people." The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told NBC News: "Several boxes of Labubu dolls were stolen, valued at approximately seven thousand dollars." Co-owner of One Stop Sales Joanna Avendano told ABC7: "There was a lot taken, maybe like around $30,000 or more of inventory. We worked so hard to get to this point, and for them to just come in and, like nothing, take it all away, it's really bad." She continued: "I was watching everything, from when they got in, what they were taking. I was panicking because I was just...I couldn't do anything." What Happens Next The sheriff's department continues investigating the case, though no arrests have been announced. The store is appealing to the community through social media to help identify the suspects captured in surveillance footage. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Epoch Times
a day ago
- Epoch Times
‘The Unrestricted War' to Premiere Online Exclusively on Gan Jing World
An edge-of-your-seat political thriller inspired by true events during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, 'The Unrestricted War,' premieres on Aug. 8, exclusively on GJW+, the streaming platform hosted by Gan Jing World. ' The Unrestricted War, ' directed by Toronto-based filmmaker Yan Ma, will stream at 9 p.m. ET and includes a live watch party. After the film, viewers can join an interactive Q&A with the director and the film's lead actress, Uni Park. The film tells the story of Dr. Jim Conrad, a prominent Canadian virologist working in Beijing on a biotech initiative. His work takes a dark turn when he and his wife, Sophie, are detained without warning by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) secret police. With their young daughter still in China and their lives in peril, Jim is issued a chilling ultimatum: steal a classified viral sample from a high-security laboratory, or disappear forever. 'This is an absolutely stunning film. Stunning both because of the technical quality of it and the performance, and the story. It is hard to overstate the importance of it at this moment, because we are at war with the Chinese Communist Party,' Frank Gaffney, president of the Institute for the American Future, said at 'The Unrestricted War' premiere screening and panel discussion event on Capitol Hill on July 31. The film's title refers to a real-life Chinese military strategy meant to destabilize enemy societies without firing a shot, called unrestricted warfare. Unlike conventional warfare, this strategy aims to weaken enemy societies by blending into everyday life through infiltration, technology, information warfare, and media manipulation. The production of this political thriller was a risk in itself, said filmmakers. Director Yan Ma faced intense pressure from CCP authorities: He was harassed by agents, a relative's income was cut off, and one actor dropped out just days before filming due to threats by CCP operatives in Canada. The film's original Canadian premiere was canceled just 24 hours before the scheduled screening, another move Ma attributes to external interference. 'Making this film took not just talent and hard work, but courage. As a Chinese Canadian filmmaker, I've seen firsthand the risks involved in telling stories like this,' Ma told The Epoch Times. 'Our team never backed down, because we knew it was a story that demanded to be told. This film doesn't offer all the answers, but it opens a window to a reality we can't afford to ignore.' The film, banned in China, is being released exclusively on GJW+, a platform dedicated to spotlighting human rights, traditional values, and honest storytelling. Viewers can join the exclusive online premiere by subscribing to GJW+ at 'The Unrestricted War' Director: Yan Ma Starring: Nadia Hatta, Dylan Bruce, Uni Park, Russell Yuen Runtime: 2 hours, 20 minutes Platform: GJW+ (exclusive streaming) Premiere: Aug. 8, 9 p.m. ET
2 days ago
Thousands of dollars' worth of Labubus stolen as toy's popularity continues to soar
The store, One Stop Sales, shared footage of the robbery on social media. 2:21 Dozens of boxes of the popular Labubu toy totaling around $7,000 were stolen from a store in La Puente, California, this week, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The burglary happened around 1:29 a.m. on Aug. 6 at One Stop Sales, a store known for its Labubu dolls and accessories. "We worked so hard to get to this point, [only] for them just to come in and like nothing take it all away," Joanna Avendano, co-owner of One Stop Sales, told local ABC station KABC-TV on Thursday. The shop has since posted surveillance footage of the incident on social media. One video shows at least four masked people breaking into the store, ransacking shelves and fleeing with boxes of merchandise. Avendano also shared images of the aftermath, showing shattered glass at the entrance and scattered products on the floor. Deputies told ABC News Thursday that the suspects remain at large but they have recovered the stolen white Toyota Tacoma used in the crime. Labubus, which debuted in China in 2015, have exploded in global popularity, spotted on celebrities like Rihanna, Lizzo, and BLACKPINK's Lisa and growing into a billion-dollar industry. Revenue for Pop Mart, the Chinese designer toy company behind Labubus, doubled in 2024, reaching $1.8 billion, according to Pop Mart's annual financial report. While the doll retails for about $30, they can go for hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars on the resale market. On social media, videos show crowds packing store entrances and pop-ups, lining up for a chance to score a box. Alex DePaoli, an associate teaching professor of marketing at Northeastern University's School of Business, told ABC News that part of the Labubu appeal comes from their marketed rarity and the way they are sold through a "blind box" system. "[It's a] system essentially where you don't know what's in the box, you hope that what's in the box is what you want," DePaoli said in an interview that aired Friday on " Good Morning America." "If you don't get what you want, you've got to go buy another one. A lot of folks have sort of likened that sort-of system to almost gambling." The market for Labubus has become so popular that some consumers are turning to counterfeit alternatives known as "Lafufus," which are made with lower-quality materials and may have different features than authentic Labubus. "They're not just toys, they are accessories," DePaolis said of the Labubu craze. "They are things that you can collect, not just to dress them up, not just be amused by, but also to complete an outfit."
