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I have a fondness for delicious roast duck, but when the desire for it strikes, dining at upscale restaurants is not always feasible due to budget constraints. In my quest to satisfy this craving without breaking the bank, I conducted research to locate the best-rated roast duck spot in KL. This search led me to Restoran Sunrise in Sea Park.
With an impressive 4.0-star rating from 785 reviews (at the time of writing), the restaurant caught my attention. Delving into the reviews, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Restoran Sunrise specialises in roast duck. It was a double win for me, as I hadn’t anticipated finding a pork-free establishment.
Situated next to a hawker stall, this small eatery is adorned with understated duck-themed decorations throughout its interior. My curiosity was piqued by an abstract painting, and I couldn’t help but observe several duck decorations adorning the payment counter as well.
What I tried at Restoran Sunrise
Securing the auntie’s attention for my order proved to be a 5-minute endeavour, perhaps because of my limited proficiency in Mandarin. Nevertheless, the language barrier didn’t hinder me from requesting the Top 1/4 portion of Roast Duck (RM21.50) accompanied by a side of rice (RM2 for large).
My meal arrived complete with sliced cucumbers, chilli sauce, sauce for the duck, and soup. Without hesitation, I dug in. Now, I prioritise 2 things when it comes to roast duck: the skin must achieve the perfect level of crispiness while retaining a delightful fatty juiciness, and the meat should be tender and succulent.
I encountered some difficulty carving into the duck, surprising me as the meat didn’t appear dry. When I sampled the duck meat on its own, I found it surprisingly tender, though not exactly a melt-in-your-mouth texture— it was more on the chewable side. Flavour-wise, it offered a savoury profile.
Subsequently, I combined the duck with its accompanying sauce. The sauce, when tasted alone, tended toward saltiness, but when paired with the duck, it created a burst of diverse flavours on my palate. The thin consistency of the sauce allowed it to permeate the duck, ensuring that every bite was infused with a savoury and juicy essence, complemented by a subtle sweet aftertaste.
The moment of truth arrived as I assessed the crucial element of the roast duck— the skin. Initially promising in appearance, it had to prove its worth in the taste department. Did it succeed? Oh, absolutely!
The skin achieved a delightful crispiness while retaining its rich, fatty goodness. To put it simply, the taste was heavenly— a perfect blend of crispiness, juiciness, sweetness, and savoury notes. It was, without a doubt, a chef’s kiss moment. If only I could request an entire serving solely consisting of the duck skin— it was that exceptional.
The rice turned out to be standard, not the Hainanese style I had anticipated. But, after relishing the roast duck, I understood why Restoran Sunrise opted for plain rice.
This simplicity allowed the rich flavours of the roast duck to shine without any interference. Combining the rice with the duck, sauce, and soup proved to be outstanding. The mildly-spicy soup, when mixed with the rice and duck, added a flavorful punch to the overall experience.
Final thoughts
In summary, my visit to Restoran Sunrise was truly enjoyable. The roast duck justified its stellar Google ratings, and I can envision myself revisiting the restaurant with friends. While the price is somewhat on the higher side, the quality of the roast duck makes it a worthwhile expense.
On the flip side, the location isn’t the most convenient. Parking in Petaling Jaya is known for its challenges. However, with a bit of patience, finding nearby parking is achievable.
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