If you grew up craving proper Cantonese style roast meats in Singapore, chances are you have heard of 88 Hong Kong Roast Meat Specialist. This is the place people happily queue for, just to get a plate of crackling siew yoke or glistening char siew that is smoky, caramelised and properly fatty in all the right ways.
Now, fans have something new to look forward to. 88 Hong Kong Roast Meat Specialist has returned to its old home ground at Lavender Street, this time as a fully revamped specialist store with air conditioning, a refreshed interior and extended opening hours all the way till 10 pm. You can finally enjoy your roast meat fix in cool comfort, at both lunch and dinner, without worrying about everything selling out halfway through the afternoon.
A Fresh Home For A Familiar Favourite
The new Lavender outlet is a big step up from its humble beginnings as a hot and humid coffeeshop stall. The space has been redesigned into a cosy, premium yet casual setting where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your food without breaking a sweat.
Cool air conditioning, brighter interiors and more comfortable seating make it a welcoming spot for both quick solo meals and full family dinners. Regulars who remember the original Lavender days will feel a sense of nostalgia, while new diners get to discover the roasts in a much more comfortable environment.
Most importantly, the store now opens from 10 am to 10 pm daily, with last orders at 9.30 pm. That means no more racing down before lunch is over just to secure your favourite cuts. Whether you come by for a late lunch, an early dinner or a proper supper style roast meat feast, the Lavender specialist store has you covered.
The Man Behind The Roasts
88 Hong Kong Roast is helmed by Chef Martin Ong, affectionately known by some foodies as the nomadic chef. People have been following his roasts since 2012, from Singapore to Johor Bahru and back again.
Although Western trained, Chef Martin developed a deep passion for Hong Kong style roasts. He spent years closely shadowing masters of the craft, studying traditional roasting methods and fine tuning every step, from marination to resting time.
Today, he uses his own slow roasting technique that takes over two hours. The result is:
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An almost biscuit like crispy rind on the siew yoke
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Unctuous, melt in your mouth layers of fat
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Juicy, succulent meat that stays tender even when cooled
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Deeply caramelised, smoky char on the char siew
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Roast duck with crisp skin and moist, flavourful flesh
His char siew is roasted till it reaches a deep red, slightly smoky finish, then paired with a thick, gooey secret sauce made from precious drippings. His roast duck shows the same attention to detail, with a burnished, caramelised skin and a satisfying bite.
It is this level of craft that has made 88 Hong Kong Roast a household name among roast meat lovers in Singapore.
Roasts All Day, Twice Daily Fresh Batches
With the refreshed specialist outlet, Chef Martin has also upgraded operations behind the scenes. To ensure the best possible texture and flavour, the kitchen now produces new slabs of roast meats twice daily.
Fresh roasting times:
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Morning batch around 9.00 am
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Evening batch around 5.30 pm
This means a higher chance of getting your siew yoke and roast duck at their crisp, freshly roasted best, whether you are coming in for brunch or dinner. It also helps cut down on the dreaded sold out signs that used to appear by late afternoon.
What To Order: Signature Roasts
At 88 Hong Kong Roast’s Lavender specialist store, you will find all the classics the brand is famous for.
Highlights include:
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Roast Pork (Siew Yoke)
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Crackly, shattering rind
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Tender meat with a nice balance of lean and fat
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Char Siew
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Glistening, caramelised edges
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Deep flavour with a hint of smokiness
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Roast Duck
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Glossy, caramelised skin
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Juicy, flavourful meat beneath
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You can enjoy these roasts in a few different ways:
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Roast meat platters
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Choose 1, 2 or 3 types of meat
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From $10 for a one person portion
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With rice
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From $6 for a hearty plate
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With Hong Kong style egg noodles
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From $7 for a comforting, slurpable option
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For special occasions, gatherings or office celebrations, you can order larger portions or full roasts to share.
Takeaway and sharing options include:
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Roast pork and char siew
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Minimum 300 g per order
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Priced at $60 per kg
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Whole roast duck at $50
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Half roast duck at $30
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Quarter roast duck at $15
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Duck drumstick at $9 each for those who love that prized portion
These make an easy centerpiece for family dinners or festive spreads, especially if you prefer to host at home but still want restaurant quality roasts.
New At Lavender: 88 Signature Noodles
Beyond roast meats with rice or noodles, the Lavender specialist store introduces a new menu item that will excite noodle lovers. Riding on the current pork noodle trend, 88 Hong Kong Roast has created its own version, complete with house made sauce and handmade meatballs.
The star dish is the 88 Signature Noodles, priced at $7.80. This bowl features:
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Mee pok made from Chef Martin’s special recipe using high quality flour
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Bouncy handmade meatballs
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Minced pork for extra richness
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Fish balls and fish cake made from 100 percent yellowtail fish
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Everything tossed in a savoury, addictive house made sauce
The meatballs are a standout on their own. They are springy, juicy and full of umami. The secret lies in the use of ti poh, or dried sole fish, which adds depth and aroma, as well as fish paste to create that satisfying bounce.
You can customise your bowl depending on your preference:
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Choose dry or soup style
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Have it with noodles or as a bowl of ingredients only
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Go all meatballs or all fish balls if you have a favourite
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Swap mee pok for mee tai bak if you like a different noodle texture
It is the kind of comforting bowl that feels familiar yet special, perfect on days when you want more than just plain roast meat with rice.
Sides, Greens And Extra Crunch
To complete your meal, there are several side dishes and add ons you can mix and match with your noodles or roast platters.
Popular options include:
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Lava Egg at $1.80
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A soft centred egg that adds richness to any bowl
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Fried Wanton at $7.50 for 10 pieces
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Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, great for sharing
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Handmade Meatballs at $7.50 for 8 pieces
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Ideal if you loved the ones in the signature noodles and want more
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If you want to add some greens to the table, go for:
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Nai Bai Vegetables at $6.50
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Stir fried in Chef Martin’s savoury sauce
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Topped with fragrant fried shallots for extra flavour and crunch
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For those who like something warm and soupy on the side, there is also:
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Wanton Soup at $6.50
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Light, comforting broth with plump wantons
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These sides make it easy to build a full, satisfying meal for one, or a shared spread for the whole table.
Location And Operating Hours
Here is where you can find 88 Hong Kong Roast Meat Specialist around Singapore.
New Lavender Specialist Store
88 Hong Kong Roast Meat Specialist
308 Lavender Street
Singapore 338814
Opening hours: 10.00 am to 10.00 pm daily
Last order: 9.30 pm
Far East Square Outlet
88 Hong Kong Roast Meat Specialist
19 / 20 China Street, Far East Square
Singapore 049561
Opening hours: 10.00 am to 9.00 pm, Monday to Saturday
Closed on Sunday
Marina One 88 Café Outlet
88 Hong Kong Roast Meat Specialist at 88 Café
7 Straits View, B2 06 / 07, Marina One
Singapore 018936
Opening hours: 8.30 am to 8.30 pm
The Lavender outlet is ideal if you want the full specialist store experience with the widest roast selection, the new signature noodle dishes and air conditioned seating. Far East Square is a good option for those working in the CBD, while Marina One serves the office crowd and anyone looking for a convenient roast fix in the Marina Bay area.
Pro Tips For Diners
To make the most of your visit, here are a few practical tips.
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For the freshest siew yoke
Try to visit within a reasonable time after the roasting times around 9.00 am and 5.30 pm. That is when the crackling is at its crispest. -
For family dinners and group gatherings
Head to the Lavender outlet, which offers a larger and more comfortable dine in space, along with longer hours that stretch into the evening. -
For parties, potlucks or festive meals at home
Consider ordering roast meats by the kilogram or getting a whole roast duck as a ready made centrepiece. Just add rice, noodles or simple home cooked vegetables and dinner is done. -
For noodle lovers
Do not miss the 88 Signature Noodles, especially if you enjoy bouncy meatballs and a rich, savoury sauce. You can easily customise the bowl to suit your taste.
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