The Best Hong Kong Roasts in Manila

Succulence. It’s the qualifying measure that separates the best Hong Kong roasts from the rest. Lucky for many Filipinos, there’s no need to fly out to Hong Kong anymore—even if that might be easier to do than traverse EDSA from north to south on a weeknight—to have their fill of these insanely tender, unbelievably crisp hunks of meat.
The proper collective term for Hong Kong-style roasted meat is actually siu mei. Nope, not the same as the dim sum everyone adores. Cantonese in origin, this style of cooking involves marinating and basting meat then roasting them in pits or wood-fired ovens. Roasts have become popular in Hong Kong because of their ease in consumption, considering how the region's busy citizens no longer find time to cook their own meals.
The roasted meat, which are distinctly hung in storefronts of restaurants or market stalls, have several varieties. More popular are the roasted goose or duck, char siu or barbecued pork, and roasted pig with super crisp skin. There
In Manila, although some specialize in only one variety of siu mei, most restaurants follow traditional ways of preparation and serving. Some even hire Cantonese chefs to ensure the quality of the product. With the high quality of Chinese food in the country and our natural love for anything roasted (check our list of best
This list is not ranked.
1| HK Little Kitchen
HK Little Kitchen was a game-changer when it opened in 2018. Its little kitchen produces roasts just as well as others do, but its efforts in branding and marketing make it stand out. This restaurant has proven that beautiful interiors make eating roast duck and char siu all the more satisfying.
Esquire Recommends:
- Crispy Lechon HK
- Roasted HK Barbecue
- HK Roasted Duck
Sonema Square, 42 N. Domingo Street, New Manila, Quezon City
2| Mala Tang
It’s easy to miss Mala Tang when driving along the tiny street adjacent to Wilson Street in San Juan. But once you find this gem, you’ll be rewarded with comforting rice bowls topped with pork
Esquire Recommends:
- HK White Chicken
- Roasted Duck
- Pork Asado
207 A. Mabini Street, San Juan
3| Kam’s Roast
Legit is the best way to describe this place. Kam’s hails from Hong Kong, where people line up for an average of one hour to have their fill of Michelin-grade roasts. In Manila, there are usually shorter queues, but the same promise of succulence. It's really one of the best roasts available here. Do yourself a favor and have some of its legit char siu.
Esquire Recommends:
- Toro Char Siu
- Roast Duck
- Roast Suckling Pig
Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
4| Luk Foo
Luk Foo's kitchen is helmed by a Hong Kong chef, and that alone is an indication of the quality of food and attention to detail it offers. People often order its popular
Esquire recommends:
- Asado with Soyed chicken
- Beef Kemchi
- White Chicken
Puregold Parañaque, Santo Niño, Parañaque City; Puregold Qi Central, Doña Imelda, Quezon City; S&R Shopping Center, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig; Puregold Mindanao, Project 8, Quezon City; more branches around Metro Manila
5| Hawker Chan
Hawker Chan has gained popularity for being the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. Originating from Singapore, this source of great HK roasts dishes out the same Cantonese-style roasted meat, either topped over rice or noodles. Imagine: You can enjoy a plate with two types of meat for just around P200. What a steal!

Esquire recommends:
- Soya Sauce Chicken
- Char Siew
- Roasted Pork
Glorietta 3, SM North EDSA, and SM Mall of Asia
6| 8 Treasures Roasting
Good things come out of gas stations. If you find yourself low on fuel along EDSA, head over to the Petron on the corner of Arnaiz Avenue and fill up with some of Manila's
Esquire recommends:
- 8 Treasures Platter
- Roasted Goose
- Lechon Macau
Petron, EDSA corner Arnaiz Ave., Makati City; soon to open in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell
7| Cheech and Chang
Kapitolyo is not to be excluded in this Hong Kong roasts game. The neighborhood’s entry, Cheech and Chang, is a young and playful spot owned by young and playful restaurateurs. The same roasted meat are on the menu but they are served with a little more novelty. Roasted pork, duck, and chicken find their way in steamed buns, making for easy, grab-and-go treats.

Esquire Recommends:
- Roasted Meat Baos
- Roasted Meat Platter
75 West Capitol Drive, Pasig City
8| Tuen Mun Roasts
Don’t expect much in terms of ambiance and interiors when dining at Tuen Mun. What you can expect, however, are good quality roasted meat. The whole experience actually feels like dining in an actual Hong Kong hole-in-the-wall sans the rude servers. The best part is you can bring home bigger portions of the meat without putting much of a dent in your wallet.
Esquire Recommends:
- Roasted Duck
- Roasted Barbecued Pork
- Lechon Macau
81A Nicanor Roxas Street, Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
9| Choi Garden
Heading to Choi Garden doesn’t require much thinking. What takes time is ordering from the extensive menu. Your best bet is the 5 Kinds Combination composed of duck, chicken,
Esquire Recommends:
- 5 Kinds Roast Meat Combination
- BBQ Pork Asado with Honey Sauce
- BBQ Chicken Wings
12 Annapolis Corner Purdue Street, Greenhills, San Juan; Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan; Jinjiang Inn, A. Arnaiz Avenue, Pasay Road Extension, Makati; Winford Hotel and Casino, Sta. Cruz, Manila
10| Canton Road
Want to splurge a bit and treat your loved ones? Then Shangri-La at the Fort’s Canton Road is where you should bring them for indulgent reincarnations of roasted meat favorites. Imagine: a suckling pig stuffed with
Esquire recommends:
- Roasted Honey-glazed Iberico Pork
- Roasted Peking Duck
- Macau-style Crispy Pork Belly
Shangri-La at the Fort, 30th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
11| Wai Ying
Wai Ying is a favorite among Binondo spots for a good reason. The humble eatery dishes out traditional meals with clean-tasting, spot-on flavors—and at affordable prices. The same goes for its roast menu, which
Esquire recommends:
- Roasted Duck
- Soy Chicken
810 Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila
12| Famous Kitchen
This franchise's numerous branches prove its dedication to roasting. Its entire menu is also a textbook on how to make delicious Hong Kong roasts so it’s hard to commit a mistake when ordering. Every option promises great flavors every time.
Esquire recommends:
- Roast Pork Belly
- Peking Duck
- Char Siu
98B Xavierville Avenue corner Esteban Abada Street, Quezon City; 53 Scout Tobias Street corner Scout Gandia Street, Quezon City
13| Char Dining
While its original counterpart in Singapore is casual, Char Dining opts for a sleeker look in Bonifacio Global City. Here, it dishes out the classics done without blemish. Everything tastes as good as it looks and there is
Esquire recommends:
- Special Char Siew
- Soya Kampong Chicken
- Crispy Roast Pork Belly
Uptown Parade, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; Corner Market, The Podium, Mandaluyong
14| Lugang
Though it specializes in Taiwanese cuisine, Lugang deserves to be on this list because of its Honey Barbecue Pork. This version of the classic
Esquire recommends:
- Honey Barbecue Pork
15| Hong Kong Roasting
Looking for a budget-friendly place serving Hong Kong roasts around Quezon City? Hong Kong Roasting is a good option. Its
Esquire recommends:
- Peking Duck
- Lechon Macau
- Soy Chicken
Panay Avenue and South Triangle, Quezon City
16| Honolulu HK Café
From pineapple buns to egg tarts, all your favorite Hong Kong eats are now in Manila via Honolulu HK Café. And, of course, that includes some of the best Hong Kong roasted meat in Manila. An absolute must-try is the Roasted BBQ Pork that features that distinct sweet-smoky taste—with charred bits to boot!
Esquire recommends:
- Roasted BBQ Pork
- Soy Chicken
- Double Roasted Meat Treasures Set
Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila; SM Aura, Taguig
17| Eat Fresh
It’s time to go beyond the tiger rolls, laksa, and clay pot rice at this beloved hole-in-the-wall. You’ll just be as pleased to order its
Esquire recommends:
- Roast Duck
- Asado
- Lechon Macau
100A Maria Clara Street corner Banawe Street, Quezon City; 691 Jose Abad Santos Street, Little Baguio, San Juan; 32 General Ordonez Street, corner Bayan-Bayanan Avenue, Marikina Heights, Marikina
18| Gloria Maris
Whether big or small, celebrations at Gloria Maris are always a success. Its roasting selection is usually served as a starter in its
Esquire recommends:
- Gloria Maris Combination
- Asado with Honey Sauce
- Soy Chicken
Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan; Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City; beside Folk Arts Theater, Malate, Manila; Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa; gloriamarisgh.com
19| Lung Hin
All the way up on the 44th floor of Marco Polo Ortigas is a Cantonese restaurant that offers some of the most succulent roast meat in Manila. Helmed by Chinese chefs that trained in Michelin-starred restaurants, Lung Hin has been a go-to of the discerning crowd whether for leisurely lunches or grandiose celebrations. Its dim sum selection is always a crowd pleasure—thanks to the gold leaf-adorned
Esquire Recommends:
- Roast Barbecue Pork
- Roasted Pork Belly
Marco Polo Manila, Ortigas, Pasig