Hong Kong 88 — Review by Blondie in China
Singapore, Singapore — Chinese Roast Meats
A visit to Hong Kong 88, one of Singapore's top roast meat spots, where the reviewer enjoyed exceptional roast duck with medicinal herbal gravy, crispy roast pork, and char siu. The duck fat melts beautifully and pairs perfectly with lightly salted chicken rice, while the herbal flavor profile of the medicinal duck gravy offers a completely unique and intriguing twist on traditional roasted meats.
What was great: Buttery, melting roast duck fat, crispy skin roast pork, unique medicinal duck with herbal gravy containing traditional Chinese medicine, well-executed roast meats with proper texture
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The reviewer, guided by food expert Zermit Neo, sampled an impressive roast meat platter featuring char siu, crispy skin roast pork, and roast duck. The char siu impressed with its perfect texture, though the real star was the roast duck. The duck's exterior boasts an almost black, heavily glazed skin that glistens with saturation. What makes this duck truly special is its gravy, which contains dangu, a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient that gives it a distinctly herbal, medicinal quality. The duck meat itself is incredibly tender, and the fat melts on the tongue rather than becoming gelatinous, which the reviewer particularly praised.
The crispy roast pork required an acidic sauce to cut through the richness, brightening the overall eating experience. However, the medicinal duck stands out as the most intriguing dish, offering a completely different flavor profile from typical roasted duck preparations. Instead of pairing with sweet or sour accompaniments, this herbal approach introduces bitter notes that create an entirely unique taste experience.
The Experience
The reviewer arrived at Hong Kong 88 with Zermit Neo, a food authority who has consumed thousands of kilos of food throughout his career. The boss kindly set aside special portions for them, suggesting this is a destination worth visiting for serious food enthusiasts. The atmosphere appears casual and authentic, befitting a local roast meat establishment in Singapore.
Value & Pricing
No specific pricing information was mentioned in the transcript, but the quality of execution and special preparation suggest reasonable value for premium roasted meats.
Notable Moments
I love when fat isn't like jelly like, but it's buttery. And that's exactly what this is. It melts. It just disintegrates.
The duck itself is really good, but what I find interesting is the gravy. Usually with duck, it's paired with something sweet or something sour, but this is the first case that it's like herbal. It's a completely different flavor profile.
The Verdict
Hong Kong 88 earns high marks as one of Singapore's premier roast meat destinations. The medicinal duck with its herbal gravy is a must-try for adventurous eaters seeking something beyond conventional roasted poultry. This restaurant is best for serious food enthusiasts and those interested in traditional Chinese cooking techniques and medicinal food preparations.