Yat Lok Vs Yung Kee, Michelin Starred VS Michelin Star-ed
English Address (Google Map): G/F, 28 Stanley Street, Central Hong Kong
Chinese Address: 中環士丹利街28號地下
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 7.00am to 7.00pm Sun and PH 9.00pm to 3.30pm
Click here to view my full Hong Kong Food Itinerary and the 8 must-know about Hong Kong Cafe Culture
Introduction
I had roast goose twice in Hong Kong. Once was bad, second time was good. The second time was at the famous Yung Kee (鏞記) back in Year 2012. However, Yung Kee seems to have reputation of “for tourist” and “overpriced”. Therefore this time, I want to compare Yung Kee to a non-restaurant that serves good Roast Goose and see what is the actual difference.
Click here to see my post on Yung Kee Restaurant
Although it was said that Yue Kee Roast Goose Restaurant (裕記大飯店) has the best roast goose in Hong Kong but it is quite inaccessible for this trip. For those who are interested, here is their address at Sham Tseng: Sham Hong Road, 9, Sham Tseng, Hong Kong (深井深康路9號).
Yat Lok (一樂食館), featured in the Hong Kong Michelin Guide 2011, was given the Bibs Gourmands rating for it’s quality cooking and good value. I need to emphasis that it was Michelin “starred”, as some misunderstood it as Michelin “star”.
It was said to be well-received by their locals over Yung Kee and the price is much cheaper too. Coincidentally, Yat Lok is only a couple of minutes walk away from Yung Kee.
Menu 1: Click to enlarge
Menu 2: Click to enlarge
Menu 3: Click to enlarge
Signature Roast Goose
I initially wanted to order their drum stick noodle but it was “sold out” so i ordered a quarter (bottom) of a goose and it comes with a whole drumstick at HK$140. Note that just the drumstick alone cost HK$97. The top quarter is cheaper and cost HK$110. The outlook of the goose is definitely enticing and looks really delectable.
The price of the quarter goose is shown on their wall menu
The best part of the roast goose? Obviously it’s the skin. The skin is thin and moderately crispy and it’s cushioned by a layer of super melty fat. Have it together with the meat and upon taking a bite, the oil oozes out from the fat and into the succulent meat and it was pure divine.
Quarter Goose (with drumstick) at HK$140. Not as cheap as expected.
I have to emphasis that i am actually not a big fan of oily roast duck back in Singapore. Most of the time, there is a ducky smell that accompanies the fatty portion of the roast duck. However there is no such smell from Yat Lok Roast Goose and i can only taste the fragrance of the fats. Most importantly, it’s oily but not greasy.
Can you see the oil on the Goose? Enjoyed every drop of it.
When you order a quarter goose, it also comes with their braised sauce. This mega rich sauce is rather salty but it goes perfectly with the roast goose to boost it’s flavour.
Noodle (濑粉) in Soup
I thought the noodle don’t really taste good. It’s rather Al Dante and it didn’t really absorb the soup much. The soup is only nice when the goose braised sauce is added into it. Else, there’s nothing special about the noodle. Probably I will order their rice in future.
Conclusion
So how does Yat Lok fare against the Year 2012 Yung Kee (cus i heard Yung Kee’s food had deteriorated). Yung Kee’s goose skin is crispier and the braised sauce has more dimensions in taste. On the other hand, i thought Yat Lok’s goose meat is slightly more succulent and fragrance of the goose fat is just lovely. In my opinion, Yung Kee and Yat Lok is comparable in taste, which i think it’s already an accomplishment for Yat Lok.
Just basing on the price of the quarter goose alone and comparing apple to apple, Yung Kee cost HK$165 (HK$150 + 10%) while Yat Lok cost HK$110 for the top quarter which is 2/3 of the price. On top of that, for those who wish to enjoy a plate of roast goose rice, it is also available at Yat Lok at HK$49, which Yung Kee only offers the minimum of a quarter goose. Therefore it’s more economical to eat at Yat Lok while it’s more comfortable to dine in a grand and posh restaurant environment with a more complete service in Yung Kee.
You may want to just visit both places since it’s in the same vicinity. Just order a quarter goose from Yung Kee and foot the bill. That will save your pocket from burning a hole. There is no need to be embarrassed. Then, pop by Yat Lok and do an instant comparison and let me know your comment K? I wish to hear for you.
Click here to view my full Hong Kong Food Itinerary and the 8 must-know about Hong Kong Cafe Culture
The small cosy restaurant. It was not that crowded when i visited so my dining experience is quite ok.
Map and directions
Direction to Yat Lok is very straight forward
1. Come out from Central Exit G
2. Walk against the traffic until you reach Queen’s Road Central
3. Cross the road and walk along the traffic until you see d’Aguilar Street
4. Turn in, walk straight until you see Stanley Street on the right
5. Turn right into Stanley Steet and walk straight to reach Yat Lok
Click to enlarge
Chin Chai Jiak 
Yat Lok wins!!
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We finally found this place. The roast goose drumstick costs HK$103 and the one with dried mee costed HK$108 a plate. Delicious but a bit pricey. The local had their roast goose drumstick on noodle soup that cost only HK$88 a bowl.
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While I agree that Yung Kee is over rated, Yat Lok’s goose was bland, horribly oily yet dry! Been there twice and will never go back again. The Chinese couple who shared my table seem to agree because they ordered half a goose, ate one piece each, and left immediately, leaving the waitresses puzzled and asking why n “Such a waste,” this was on 7/12/15.
It’s a pity. Yat Lok just got it’s first Michelin star. Hopefully it has nothing to do with the Michelin star curse.
Bogus, bad mannerism… this mandarin speaking lady boss freaking snobe and showing the rich man face…
don’t go to a place that treated you like street rats.if they can’t treat human with no respects, do think they do any good stuffs while they are preparing your foods.. chances are they will think you are well deserved that they drop your and pick it up for you because you are the lucky one that gets to eat it.
this is problem when their business is making them rich and they origin of attitudes shows. it is better in taihing or keongkee.
Bogus, bad mannerism… this mandarin speaking lady boss has really bad attitude… don’t go to a place that treated you like street rats.
if they can’t treat with any respect, do you ever think they do any good stuffs while they are preparing your foods.. ‘fat hope’ !!
chances are they will think you are well deserved that they drop your foods and still pick it up for you because you are the lucky one that gets into their restaurant.
Honestly, it is exactly what she is trying to tell us, If do not like how it is, too bad… plenty of idiots are waiting to eat it.
Seriously, it tasted good is because of MSG…anyone can do the job…