It’s prime time for delectable roasted meats

If you arrive at Asian Mix for lunch by around 1 p.m. on any given day, there’s a good chance the haven for fresh Chinese, Japanese and local-style eats might already be sold out of some of its most popular offerings — soft, succulent and tender roasted meats exploding with flavor.

“People have gotten to know us for these items now, so we’ve been pretty much selling out every day,” explains owner Daniel Leung, when referring to his ever-sultry Roast Duck Hong Kong Style (half $12; more than 5 pound whole $23) and Honey Roasted BBQ Pork ($5.25 half pound; $10.50 per pound; pieces are weighed for price).

Considering Asian Mix’s growing popularity among local patrons, it comes as no surprise that these sizzling meats are best sellers. Since opening the restaurant in May 2012, Lueng has turned decades of knowledge from working within the industry into a successful recipe for supreme-quality dining in an on-the-go setting. With items prepared from scratch daily with premium ingredients, the dining nook proves quality does not need to be sacrificed when seeking an affordable, convenient and delicious meal.

As for the sought-after roasted items, diners who miss out on the 10:30 a.m. batch still have a chance to bite into these hearty, juicy items around 2:30 p.m., when Asian Mix freshly roasts a second batch of signature meats to keep up with demand.

So what is it that makes Roast Duck Hong Kong Style and Honey Roasted BBQ Pork entirely irresistible? For one, co-owner and head chef Jason Ruan has been perfecting the art of roasted meats for more than 20 years, bringing many tricks of the trade to his key role in the kitchen. The team at Asian Mix also pays close attention to detail at every level — the Roast Duck, for example, marinates for 24 hours in a house-made sauce before it is roasted to tender glory. In the end, a host of subtle seasonings emanate from the soft meat, complete with golden skin and all.

To make Honey Roasted BBQ Pork, the ideal quality of meat is selected to achieve heavenly char siu flavors, while sweet notes of hoisin accentuate the moist, savory pieces of pork.

Aside from these a la carte menu items, Asian Mix serves up worry-free mix plates, bentos, noodle soups, ramen, Taiwanese-style flavored drinks, as well as catering party trays to customers. The menu is noteworthy for its diversity of offerings, including a number of northern Chinese specialties that are hard to find in the Islands. Items such as Tofu and Eggplant in Garlic Sauce ($8.95) wonderfully portray this style of cuisine, which is marked for its bold use of shoyu, vinegar and a touch of sugar in its electrifying sauces.

So regardless of what time you make it to the eatery, it will always be the right time to get into this mix.

Asian Mix

1234 S. Beretania St. Shop A-1, Honolulu
(In the Safeway complex on the corner of South Beretania and Piikoi streets)
521-1688
Daily, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.