On 7/11, Haaland posted a series of photos checking in at several city center locations, including Pho Cue Vietnamese Kitchen and Fat Pats. During his outing, he stopped at Happy Seasons — a Cantonese roast meat restaurant over 40 years old — for dinner. According to The Sun, the restaurant is a popular spot for many Manchester City fans.
There, Haaland chose the "triple roasted meat" dish — a traditional roast set featuring roast duck, crispy pork belly, and honey-glazed char siu, served with white rice. After he left, the owner posted a photo of the dish on social media, announcing, "Anyone can order the Haaland Special", thereby transforming the restaurant's long-standing dish into a version named after the Manchester City star.
Erling Haaland with the owner of the Chinese restaurant in Manchester. Photo: @happyseasons_mcr.
“We are also Manchester City fans, so we couldn't believe it when Haaland walked in,” a restaurant representative said, adding that Haaland ordered roast duck and crispy pork, so any customer ordering the Haaland Special will receive that exact portion.
The post quickly gained attention on social media. Many fans commented: “Give me a Haaland Special with rice,” and “I want to try this special dish too.”
Joining Manchester City in 2022, Haaland has consistently been a fan favorite. Nicknamed "the goal machine", he has twice consecutively won the Premier League Golden Boot (for the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons) and currently leads this season's scoring chart with 14 goals in 11 matches.
The 1,95 m tall Norwegian striker is also known for his hearty appetite. Teammate Joshua King once revealed, “Haaland is truly a phenomenon. I've never seen anyone eat so much.”
Happy Seasons restaurant attracts customers with its Cantonese roast meats. Photo: @happyseasons_mcr.
Roast duck at Happy Seasons Cantonese restaurant. Photo: @happyseasons_mcr.
Cantonese roast meat dish at Happy Seasons restaurant. Photo: @happyseasons_mcr.
Located on Faulkner Street, amidst the bustling Chinatown area, Happy Seasons is considered one of Manchester's oldest and most renowned restaurants, offering traditional Cantonese roast dishes. Established in 1982, the eatery impresses with its fast service, flavorful dishes, and consistent taste over decades.
The menu focuses on Hong Kong-style roast duck, crispy-skinned roast pork, and honey-glazed char siu. Daily, the restaurant's kitchen roasts over 60 ducks, marinated overnight and roasted fresh on the same day, served with a sweet soy sauce made from herbs and natural spices — a secret that creates the unique flavor drawing customers to queue regularly outside.
This is not the first time a dish in Manchester has been named after Haaland. Previously, Ad Maiora sandwich shop in the Northern Quarter introduced the Haaland Sandwich, featuring Parma ham, burrata cheese, truffle oil, sun-dried tomatoes, pistachios, and rocket leaves.
Tuan Anh (According to The Sun, ChosunBiz)
