Deep Fried Duck with Taro from Hong Kong Asian Diner: 100 Favorite Dishes

Lauren Saria | June 20, 2014 | 11:00am

Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing some of our favorite food folks' "Personal Best" lists. This year we're bringing back our list of 100 Favorite Dishes. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email lauren.saria@newtimes.com.

68. Deep Fried Duck with Taro from Hong Kong Asian Diner

For more than a decade Hong Kong Asian Diner has been chugging away in a strip mall, serving solid Cantonese eats in a no-frills, family-friendly environment. The last time we stopped in we were saddened to hear that business has been steadily slowing down for the family-owned and operated dining spot owned by husband and wife, Bai and Choi Kuang, who came to the states from the Guangdong Province in southeast China.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that things pick up for the restaurant because we don't know what we'd do without the Deep Fried Duck with Taro. It's a simple but extremely satisfying meal that we've never enjoyed as much as at this spot.

The dish features moist duck wrapped in a blanket of mashed taro root. The whole thing then gets deep-fried to provide flavor and crunch. We absolutely adore the nuttiness lent by the mashed taro that also gives an extra layer of flavor to the boneless duck. With a dash of the accompanying sweet and sour sauce we can hardly stop ourselves from finishing the whole plate in one sitting.

Miss a dish?

100. Pork Belly Pastrami from Citizen Public House

99. French Onion Soup from Bonjour Vietnam

98. Whiskey Cream Gelato from Marrazo That's Amore

97. Breakfast Croissant from Cartel Coffee Lab

96. Salmon "Yasu Style" at Yasu Sushi Bistro

95. Cannoli from DeFalco's Italian Deli

94. Falafel Sandwich from Al-Hana Restaurant

93. PBLT at Bootleggers

92. Samosa from Little India

91. Combo Plate from El Pollo Supremo

90. Brunch Burger from Orange Table