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I recently heard about Kim’s Roast, a new stall at Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre, which is claimed to be among the “top 3 roasted delights in the north.”
The stall opened in early Jun, and appears to be doing well so far, with a 4.8-star rating on Google and a social media video showing a queue outside the stall. The brand even opened a second outlet on Syed Alwi Road a week after its opening at Marsiling Mall.
With positive reviews, Kim’s Roast seemed promising, so I decided to visit the stall. When I arrived, there was no queue. I even wondered if it was open, but it was. Perhaps the initial hype had faded after a month.
I didn’t know if that was a good or bad sign. Yes, I wouldn’t need to queue, but perhaps Kim’s Roast wasn’t as good as it was said to be. I decided to place my order and put Kim’s Roast to the test.
What to order at Kim’s Roast
Kim’s Roast offers roasted duck, roasted pork and char siew, all of which can be paired with rice or noodles. To try all 3 types of meat, I opted for the 3 Meat Combo Noodles (S$9).
The stall’s menu was a little pricey, so I was expecting my meal to come in a larger portion. However, when the food arrived, my heart sank a little.
Not only did the noodles fill up less than half the bowl, but the portion of meat also didn’t appear too generous, either, although the sweet sauce drizzled over the char siew made it look delectable. But I don’t judge a book by its cover, so I began tucking into my meal.
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of duck, especially since it tends to have a stronger flavour. But when I tried the roast duck here, I didn’t experience that repulsive taste, and it felt alright for me to have more.
The roast duck was succulent and its skin was coated with a layer of oil. The duck was also mildly sweet, and I appreciated how there wasn’t too much fat within it.
I had the roast pork next, which consisted mainly of lean meat. For the health-conscious, this would be a bonus point, but for those who love the satisfying chew of fats, it might be a little disappointing.
I’m the type who prefers something in between — not too fatty, but also not too lean. So I’d have preferred a little bit of fat inside to make the meat more tender. The roast meat was also a little salty, although it remained within an acceptable level.
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Fortunately, the crispy skin salvaged the meat by creating a pleasant crackle upon bite. Even when I accidentally dropped a piece into my soup, the skin retained some of its crispiness. Impressive!
Next, I had the char siew, which absorbed the sweetness of the dark sauce. There was a little bit of fat, and I think it was just right to create some tenderness without making it too fatty.
I tried the mee kia next, and it was surprisingly easy to toss. The sauce didn’t make the noodles too salty, which allowed them to go well with the 3 types of flavourful roast meat. They were also thin and came with a slight eggy flavour.
While the soup here is unique from that of other places, I wasn’t a fan of it. It came with seaweed and pickled vegetables, resulting in a slightly sour flavour, which I think didn’t go well with the rest of the meal.
It was also slightly peppery, creating an odd combination of sourness and pepperiness.
After the meal, I found myself debating whether to give this stall a 3.5 or 4-star rating. I say that their roast meat is decent overall, but nothing extraordinary. Given the smaller portion and slightly higher price point, however, I decided to rate it a 3.5.
Who Kim’s Roast is best for
If you’re looking for flavourful roast meat that isn’t too fatty, and don’t mind paying slightly more for your meal, Kim’s Roast is the spot for you. Its roast duck and char siew remain succulent despite having less fat, so it’s worth a try!
How to get to Kim’s Roast
The nearest MRT station is Marsiling (NS8). Head for Exit C and take bus 187, 856, 925, 925M, 950, 960, 961, 961M, 963, 963e, 966 or 967. Alight at Marsiling Mall and walk towards Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre. The stall is located at #01-61.
Do we recommend Kim’s Roast?
I’d recommend Kim’s Roast as a convenient spot to satisfy your craving for roast meat. Since there wasn’t a queue when I was there, my order was served in less than 5 minutes.
However, I don’t think this stall is really among the “top 3 roasted delights in the north” or worth travelling for. Nevertheless, Kim’s Roast has received a high rating on Google, so you may still want to try it and decide if it’s the stall for you.
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