60%
Pretty good spot to get fast food dinner of Chinese BBQ meats at the airport.
***
Came here for dinner, Oct '14. I had a flight to catch and didn't have a lot of time to spare.
Cafe de Coral is a fast food chain in Hong Kong. For those unfamiliar, the food offered is mostly Cantonese or Hong Kong Cafe type dishes. For lack of better term, I can only describe it as western dishes made for the preference of local Hong Kong.
Prices are generally quite affordable and comparable to western fast food chains. My meal here that entailed a combo set with of roast goose and chicken, plus a side of hot milk tea cost approx HK$70, or right under US$9.
I find that the quality of cooking varies a lot. I think their breakfast items can be lacking. The savory lunch and dinner items tend be something I enjoy more often, particularly if Chinese BBQ meats are offered. I live in the US where roast goose isn't something I ever see in restaurants, so being able to sample this delicacy is a real treat. Cafe de Coral at the Hong Kong airport offers a last chance to enjoy this, should I have missed my chance to try it like I did my last visit. I'll get into more detail with what I had.
The one lousy thing is that this place tends to run out of items later into the evening. When I visited between 8 and 9, half the items on the menu where out. Thank goodness there was an entire roast goose hung on display!
combo set of a side of roast goose breast, soy sauce marinaded roast chicken breast, cooked greens on oyster sauce, white rice, and a side of hot milk tea cost approx HK$70, or right under US$9. (Dish rating 60%)
- This is not really the menu description. I just made it up to approximate what I ordered. Apologies for the lack of photo. Note that the duck and chicken are bone-in. Not unlike the traditional preparation, the meat is closer to well done, although the meat remains fairly juicy.
- The goose and chicken were pretty good despite some shortcomings. Unlike some stingier eateries, I found there was more meat than bone and other inedible bits.
- If you've never had goose before, the best way I can describe it is that its like duck. However, my subjective impression is that its fattier and richer. The fat itself has a bolder, almost sweet flavor. What was served here was bone-in, with the skin on. There's a good amount of fat right under the skin. Its the best part because the flavor derives mostly from the fat. The protein is unmistakably goose instead of just texture.
- Since the goose was cooked all the way through, sadly the was not much hint of blood towards the end like you would a medium rare or rare duck breast prepared that you might find in say French cuisine. Im not complaining, just describing the approach. It didn't seem overcooked and it wasn't dry.
- Temperature of the proteins is off. The goose and chicken served was close to lukewarm. There would have been a good difference if were hot instead.
- Soy marinaded chicken was also quite well done despite the poor temperature. I found the chicken breast to be tender enough and the flavor of the protein discernible. There was a pleasant notable sweetness and more restrained saltiness from the soy. The skin provided much welcome fattiness.
- The greens, probably a cabbage of sorts that was slow cooked, and topped with a sweet oyster sauce wasn't bad. The temperature of this was nicely hot. The oyster sauce only a tad over applied yet not overpowering the greens. It was surprisingly simple yet delicious.
- The white rice was a tad on the dry side although it wasn't too far off. I think its fine for fast food.
Overall this was a solid fast food dinner. Its unfortunate that one can't get a better fast food hamburger in Hong Kong like I might get in the US with Shake Shack, In N Out, and 5 Guys (or just a good burger at any price point). Nonetheless, I think this more than makes up for it. I'm not embarrassed to admit wish I had a Cafe de Coral at LAX.
Value is good. I can't complain for the price I paid. I think its dirt cheap for the generous amount of roast meats I had. If I didn't have to deal with the possibility of indigestion along with a 13 hour flight, I'd order the whole goose.
Service is okay. The counter person seemed a bit brusque and impatient, but was efficient. I actually just asked for roast goose but he mistook me for the combo meal, which wasn't a bad choice in the end.
Ambiance is fine for fast food. The space is clean enough even though lacking in character. I do like the fact that its tucked away in its corner and offers a bit more seclusion than many of the other airport restaurants.
Definitely stop by if you feel the need for quick and affordable roast goose fix at the airport. Jade Garden may offer a more capable version should one have the luxury of more free time and be willing to spend more. read more