This being a week before Chinese New Year, we find it apt to feature another hole in the wall. Onn Kee Roast Duck House is one of those hidden gems that specializes in serving authentic Chinese roast duck (and if you order in advance, goose) that can instantly transport you to Hong Kong. And it can be one of the best, affordable (to a point) Chinese restaurants in the metro.
Is it worth the drive and the tight streets that lead up to it? Read on to find out.
The drive
Onn Kee is located in Cartimar Commercial Arcade and Suite in Pasay City. This means that you are probably going to be taking Buendia if you are coming from Makati CBD. While this can be stressful during rush hour or during weekdays, going there during the early hours of a weekend is probably the most logical choice.
From Buendia, you will be ducking into Leveriza after a U-turn, which can be tricky given the short distance from the designated U-turn slot. But more than that, it is a tight street leading up to the Cartimar area. While most of us who spent our youth checking out the markets and pet stores in Cartimar are used to the claustrophobic street, those who have not come here in years may find the street a bit tight to navigate. So definitely bring a narrower vehicle, or ideally, a scooter or motorcycle to lessen the stress.
ALSO READ:
Coffee run: Dean & DeLuca offers premium brews and views in Rizal
Resto run: Ying Ying Tea House is classically Binondo
Parking and accessibility
The building that hides Onn Kee generally does not have parking, so the best solution would be to park in Cartimar proper and walk across the street. At around 11am on weekends, parking is generally available; although you may have to go around a few times to find a slot, there are generally a good flow of cars coming and going, so finding a slot isn’t the worst.
Pay parking is around P50, and there are parking attendants who issue tickets as you park and receive payment as you leave. Be sure to keep your paid ticket on hand, as you will be needing this to exit the parking lot.
Venue
Onn Kee is located at the back of the ground floor of the Cartimar Commercial Arcade and Suite, which is right across the main Cartimar complex. The building is definitely a bit long in the tooth, but it is surprisingly clean and modern once you step inside. Yes, the restrooms could definitely use a bit of a revamp, but the air-conditioning is cold, the lighting is bright, and overall, the building housing the restaurant is better than the facade would make you think.
Coming to Onn Kee itself, the place is a bit on the tight side. On our visit, there were two lauriat-style round tables, and that was enough to fill the entirety of the inside of the restaurant. Smaller square tables were located outside, and while a bit tight, really did lend itself to the authenticity of the experience. This means seating would be limited, so it would be best to go a bit earlier in the day.
Food experience
Like most hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the reason we love them is the authenticity and the flavors available. This is probably the best roasted duck we have tried in the Philippines. It instantly transports you to more famous roasteries located in Hong Kong and other countries. The duck itself is very meaty, has a good layer of fat, and crisp and delicious skin. Combine that with the traditional sauces, and the duck is the definite highlight of a visit to Onn Kee.
If you want goose, you will have to call in advance and pre-order this, but having tried it in the past, it is worth the effort. Aside from the duck, we also loved the saucy spare ribs and the fried rice, but more than anything, the taosi sea bass was to die for.
Once you are done eating, if you can stuff yourself just a bit more, their egg tarts were amazing and, like everything here, absolutely authentic. From the flaky croissant-style crust to the actual egg, which wasn’t too sweet (a weakness of local egg tarts), it is just the perfect way to cap off a great meal with a slight nod to your sweet tooth.
Value for money
Authenticity doesn’t have to be expensive. With meal packages at around P600 per head for a big group, there is value in numbers. A smaller group would spend a bit more, especially if you are big eaters like us, but you would find it hard to spend more than P1,000 per head for a multi-course meal that will leave you stuffed.
Compared to other more mainstream Chinese restaurants, this is a relatively good deal; just be aware that these prices are for sharing, so it’s ideal to go with a group of friends and/or your family. Then again, with the taste as true as it is, it’s so much cheaper than flying to Hong Kong for your duck fix.
Conclusion
Just go—it’s near enough to the center of Metro Manila. And while it can be a bit challenging due to the parking situation, especially on weekdays, it’s a genuine diamond in the rough and the best roast duck you will have without needing to book a plane ticket. It is definitely worth the trip and pseudo-scavenger hunt.
Score: 9/10
Travel time from Manila: 10min to 1hr
Budget: P600 to P1,000 per person
Website/Reservations: Onn Kee Roast Duck House
More photos of Top Gear Philippines’ visit to Onn Kee Roast Duck House:
