Picture this: a mere £15 platter of succulent Chinese roast meats so utterly mouthwatering that it lured none other than Erling Haaland, Manchester City's superstar striker, right into a bustling Chinatown eatery. If you're a food enthusiast or a football fan, this tale might just have you craving a visit—and salivating over the details. But here's where it gets intriguing: the restaurant didn't just serve him; they immortalized his order by renaming it after him. Get ready to dive into a story that blends elite sports stardom with everyday culinary delights!
Strolling through Manchester's vibrant Chinatown on any evening, you'll likely spot long lines snaking around the block. Faulkner Street, with its kaleidoscope of colorful facades, hums with energy as eager diners patiently wait to satisfy their cravings.
Among these hotspots, Happy Seasons stands out for its notorious queues, iconic specialties, and lightning-fast service. It's impossible to ignore the allure of their butcher-style roast meats dangling enticingly above the street level, drawing in passersby like a magnet.
Established in the early 1980s, this neighborhood gem has fed countless hungry patrons over the decades. So, it was inevitable that a football player with a passion for fine dining would eventually discover this beloved Chinese institution.
Erling Haaland, hailed as one of Europe's premier strikers, transitioned to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022, bringing a record of prolific goal-scoring. Earlier this year, he inked a fresh contract extending his stay until the summer of 2034—a win for football aficionados, and undoubtedly for the city's dining scene too.
Beyond his prowess on the pitch, Haaland has earned a reputation for exploring Manchester's top restaurants. He's a regular at Vero Moderno in Salford, where he adores their mushroom pasta and even carted home three enormous sandwiches after his inaugural trip. That visit led to the creation of 'the Haaland' sandwich, which fans can now order themselves (for more on that, check out https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/erling-haalands-favourite-butty-shop-30713561). His gastronomic adventures extend further (see https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/restaurants-cafes-erling-haaland-manchester-30823408), but a recent stop at Happy Seasons inspired the owners to honor him by rechristening one of their flagship dishes in his name.
Since opening in 1982, the restaurant shared about his visit on social media: 'Totally floored to have @erling drop by for a triple roast meat feast! Couldn't believe it when he stepped in—hilarious!' In a follow-up post, they exclaimed: 'We're still on cloud nine that Erling Haaland chose our triple roasted meats! As die-hard City supporters, our jaws hit the floor the second he entered. Grateful he joined us for some roast duck and crispy pork belly!'
What can we conclude? The guy has impeccable taste, opting for a classic that's been a Chinatown staple for over 40 years.
Their Triple Roast Meats—featuring roasted duck, roasted pork belly, and roasted char siu (a sweet and savory Cantonese-style barbecue pork)—remain under that name, but those requesting the Haaland Special receive the identical combo. I'm already eager to head there, and if it's worthy of Haaland's palate, it's certainly worthy of mine.
Just this week, I joined the line, braving the chilly bite of the air and convincing myself that the temporary numbness in my feet would be a small price for the reward of that roasted bounty, accompanied by rice and soy sauce.
Sitting down for a bit revealed Happy Seasons as a well-tuned operation. In under ten seconds, soiled paper tablecloths were swiftly cleared and replaced, with fresh cutlery arranged neatly for the next guests.
The dining area itself is refreshingly minimalist—no excess decor or distractions, just tables, chairs, and a gentle buzz of chatter from patrons engrossed in conversation, backed by a kitchen bustling to match the hearty appetites.
And this is the part most people miss: If you want the meats served atop rice with a touch of Chinese cabbage, be sure to specify 'the Haaland'—simply muttering 'three roast meats' to your server might not cut it. In my case, adding rice separately worked out fine, allowing us to liberally season our portions with generous dollops of rich soy sauce. Note, though, there's a slight price variation, which could explain the generous portions we enjoyed.
On the menu, under barbecue options, the three roast meats alone cost £18.50, while it's listed again with boiled rice for £15. Either way, we were treated to a stunning assortment of duck and pork in two forms—crispy pork belly and char siu barbecue—paired with extra dim sum.
Prepared fresh that day through marination and roasting, these meats were heavenly—a perfect example of simplicity executed with mastery.
The roast pork belly, topped with a shatteringly crisp layer, offered a sensational contrast: savory pops like candy exploding in the mouth, followed by tender, buttery flesh. Could this be the ultimate crackling experience?
It was beautifully balanced by the char siu, with its sweet yet savory notes in thin, tender slices glazed in red and glistening atop the rice mounds.
As for the duck, hanging alluringly in the windows, it burst with rich, layered flavors, full of depth and that addictive umami essence.
I'm not sure if Haaland explored more of the menu—and honestly, I'd prefer to keep the mystery intact—but if he returns, I'd enthusiastically suggest the dim sum. Not that the meats needed backup, but the Siu Mai Steamed Meat and Prawn Dumplings were pure joy, practically overflowing with their fillings, and the fluffy, cloud-like steamed Char Siu buns enveloped luscious, juicy meat centers.
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Happy Seasons is located at 59 Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FF.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is renaming a dish after a celebrity like Haaland just clever marketing, or does it risk turning local favorites into mere tourist traps overshadowed by fame? Some might argue it boosts business and adds fun, while others could see it as diluting the authentic charm of neighborhood staples. What do you think—should elite athletes get their names on menus, or is this just hype? Does it make you more or less likely to try the food? Share your opinions in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own celebrity food stories!
