This article was written by Fen Chia of Asia 361.
Kam’s Roast has launched in Singapore!
Say “nei hou” to mouth-watering roast meats with Kam’s special marinade made under careful supervision from the original roster of chefs from the flagship Kam’s Roast Goose outlet in Hong Kong, which was awarded a Michelin star in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The Singapore outlet at Pacific Plaza on Scotts Road is Kam’s first venture outside its home territory. We were invited to the grand opening ceremony on 19 November.
The outlet here serves duck, thus the detraction from the original name of “Kam’s Roast Goose”. This is because Singapore authorities currently only permit imports of Hungarian and US geese, but the restaurant found that these birds did not work as well with its recipe, and are thus using ducks instead, while they continue to work towards getting the licence for a reliable source of geese.
Nonetheless, they have assured the public that the duck tastes just as good, following months of careful trials by the chefs. Besides roast duck, diners can enjoy “crispy pork” (ie roast pork), “BBQ pork” (char siu), the signature “Toro” char siu made from premium pork belly and suckling pig. The noodles served here are air flown from Hong Kong daily. I didn’t miss the absent goose as the char siu pieces, with their tantalising charred crispy crust and ample fat within were so deliciously melt-in-the-mouth that they stole the show. I can recall only one other place in Singapore where I have eaten char siu in recent times that rivals what I tasted at Kam’s.
I have always known that the Hong Kongers take pride in their traditions, rituals and ceremonies; still, the grand opening of Kam’s Roast was a real eye-opener for me. The ribbon cutting and lion dance were more elaborate than others I have witnessed. Former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo, now Chairman of Hong Kong-based Kerry Logistics, was the guest-of-honour. He says his usual lunch order for takeout in Hong Kong is typically a plate of char siu and roast pork rice and Kam’s is one of the best there.
I was just in Hong Kong a few days ago, and I had wanted to try the original Kam’s Roast Goose on Hennessy Road in Wan Chai district for myself before attending the Singapore launch. Unfortunately, i failed, seeing the impossible snaking queue and the announcement that they had run out of what I wanted to eat anyway. The Michelin stars have helped to attract a clientele made up of not just locals, but plenty of foodie tourists in Hong Kong. I resigned myself to snapping some pictures of the situation on a Wednesday evening at dinnertime, and probably any weekday evening looks like this too. I guess I need to go at off-peak hour next time.
So, rejoice Singapore residents! Be glad that you can now enjoy Kam’s family recipe right at your doorstep – for even a plane ride to Hong Kong did not get me to that legendary roast meat paradise.
Kam’s Roast
9 Scotts Road
#01-04/05/06/07
Pacific Plaza
Singapore 228210
Opening hours:
10 am to 10 pm
