Joy Hing Roasted Meat 再興燒臘 (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★☆☆☆

A few nights ago, I accidentally came across the Hong Kong episode of "The Layover" by the late Anthony Bourdain. It was shot at 2011 and the very first scene of the episode saw Chef Bourdain dropping off his luggage and going straight to Joy Hing Roasted Meat (再興燒臘) in Wanchai. Joy Hing used to be very high on my list too, but has since dropped down the pecking order significantly.



Today, I decided to pay them a long overdue visit but this wasn't a very good way to start things off. My once-beloved char siu has turned into this very lean and dry piece of pork! Also the layer of honey on the outside has gone missing. Very disappointing.



This is still very reasonably priced as they throw in a daily soup free of charge but quality-wise, it's nowhere near what it used to be, when Chef Bourdain was doing his layoff 8 years ago. Sad.



Everybody has been saying how the flavors (good ones) from the good old days have vanished over the years. Judging from today's episode at Joy Hing, I couldn't agree more.


Food Rating: 4/10
Price: $$
Address: Block C, G/F, 265-267 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Closest Metro Station: Wanchai
Tel: +852 2519-6639