Eating Peking Duck in Beijing

For two nights in a row we treated ourselves to the infamously delectable Peking Duck! We managed to try this at two popular places, Da Dong Roast Duck and Siji Minfu near the Forbidden City. This was the first time I ever tried the dish, which is so special. I found it quite addictive actually and the more you have it the more it grows on you. Growing up in Queens, New York there was a Chinese restaurant in our neighborhood aptly named “Peking Duck.” Oddly enough we always ordered other things from the menu rather than the restaurant’s namesake. Imagine my joy at finally being able to try it in the city where it was created! 

When you order Peking Duck in Peking, the exquisitely roasted bird is presented graciously by the chef. They will then begin slicing the choicest parts on a platter (including the melt-in-your-mouth, crispy skin) for you to enjoy. At Da Dong, the first restaurant we tried, they actually provide a serial number for each and every duck they roast! That is what you call quality control!  If you wish, the waitresses/waiter can also help demonstrate how the duck is traditionally eaten. FYI, as you will be advised, you should definitely order a side of pancakes and condiments (small additional cost) to get the full experience. 

How to eat Peking Duck

The way you eat the duck is also part and parcel of why this is so delicious! The skin can be eaten on its own or dipped in white sugar. As for the duck meat, you place it inside a thin pancake, add pickles, veggies and various pastes like garlic and black bean sauce, then fold it up. The condiments spice up the dish with accents of pickle and fresh crunch! Another way is to put a bunch of sliced pickles, meat, crispy skin and paste in a crunchy, round puff. I loved alternating the above while also enjoying the meat and skin plain.

Normally I hate chicken skin and fat in meat. But something about the delicate crunch of the duck skin and the buttery layer of fat underneath makes it divine. The skin melts in your mouth! FYI one order of duck is perfect for two people. The chefs end up carving two plates worth in the end and a smaller third with drumsticks.

Review: Da Dong Roast Duck

Our first Peking Duck experience! The ambiance is quite posh and although there are multiple locations we went to one located at the top of a mall. Since this was consistently ranked one of the top places to try peking duck I knew I wanted to try this place first. We arrived there on a Friday night without a reservation but that was fine. The menu was extensive and I hear the other dishes are also quite delicious and fancy. But we were there for the star of the show and kept it simple.

We ordered one regular-sized duck but noticed there was also an alternate option of ordering a smaller and younger duck as well. Not sure how they compare but perhaps another trip would be necessary to make a fair assessment of that *wink*. But I do remember it being slightly more expensive so perhaps the meat is more tender. On the side I also ordered a watermelon mojito, which was surprisingly made freshly squeezed and was absolutely perfect! If you like cocktails I recommend checking out the list as it is extensive. The duck was absolutely exquisite. The waiters spoke good English and were kind enough to explain to us how to eat the duck properly. They provide refills of the pancake if you run out so don’t be shy about asking.

After the meal, at both restaurants we visited, we were presented with a bowl of tiny mandarins (smaller than your palm) for dessert. Since we were there in February they were likely in season and were perfectly sweet and sour and served atop a bowl of ice. Da Dong also went the extra mile by serving a street dessert specialty, candied crabapples stuffed with sweet red bean, on a stick. My Chinese friends recommended I try this and i’m so glad I had the chance! If you love desserts that are slightly sour you will adore these. The sugar coating the fruit is crunchy and sweet, the crabapples a bit tangy and the inside soft and sweet with red bean paste. Icing on the cake. You can see how happy I was to try these! They were delightful.

Review: Siji Minfu

We dropped by this restaurant after spending the morning at the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We arrived right around lunchtime and there was a long line. The wait took in total two hours but we did not mind since they had a sitting area generously stocked with interesting Chinese snacks (e.g. chips, nuts, candies, kumquat, cucumber) and teas.

The duck was just as delicious as the one in Da Dong Roast Duck but somehow the meat was served at a warmer temperature. This small detail alone made the duck more flavorful and it just melted in your mouth. They may have had a slightly larger portion size as well. From the far corner you can see into the kitchen where they roast ducks one at a time in an oven. As in Da Dong they slice the duck table-side, which is wonderful to watch. Alongside the meal we were once again served a bowl of tiny mandarins, which were so adorable to eat. 

The ambiance of the restaurant was lovely though less modern and posh looking compared to Da Dong. It felt more relaxed and there were more families seated at the tables. Many other dishes looked incredibly delicious so if you are hungry don’t be afraid to order other things off the menu! A lot of the regulars around us were ordering other dishes in addition to the duck.

All in all, I would say both restaurants were exquisite and come highly recommended. There are a number of other places that are popular but I can attest that both Da Dong and Siji Minfu are both solid choices. If you can only have one peking duck meal you can feel confident choosing one or the other. Have you had Peking Duck in Beijing or elsewhere? Happen to know of any great places in Singapore or beyond? Let me know! I would love to continue to feed my newfound addiction on a more regular basis!