The Ultimate Guide to Peking Duck in Beijing: Where to Eat, How to Enjoy, and What to Know

Hello, fellow food lovers! I’m Emma Lee, a passionate food blogger who has made China my home for the past few years. As someone who delights in discovering everything from humble street snacks to luxurious fine dining, I’m thrilled to take you on a journey through one of the most iconic dishes in Chinese cuisine—Peking Duck. From its rich history to the best spots to indulge in this delicacy, join me as I share my flavorful adventure with you!

What Is Peking Duck?

Peking Duck, a world-renowned dish, is a true icon of Beijing’s culinary scene. Its history dates back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties in China, where duck was already a prized dish for royal banquets. Over time, it evolved into a specialty fit for the imperial courts. What makes Peking Duck so special? Let’s take a closer look:

• Flavor: The meat is tender and juicy, while the skin is perfectly crispy, offering a delicate balance of richness without being greasy.
• Main Ingredients: Beijing-fed ducks, carefully roasted over fruitwood charcoal for that signature smoky flavor.
• Best For: A dish loved by all ages, from children to the elderly.
• Where to Enjoy: While it’s popular worldwide, Peking Duck is best experienced in its home city, Beijing.

Why Is Peking Duck Famous?

Beyond its mouthwatering taste, Peking Duck has deep cultural and historical significance. It’s not just a meal; it represents the essence of Chinese culinary craftsmanship. The dish is known for its elaborate preparation and unique roasting techniques. Whether served at a luxurious banquet or a casual meal, Peking Duck is a symbol of Chinese culture and hospitality.

It’s often served at international events, further solidifying its role as a cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between China and the rest of the world.

The History of Peking Duck

The origins of Peking Duck can be traced back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 AD), where duck was already part of the royal diet. However, it wasn’t until the Tang Dynasty (618–907) that roasted duck became a popular dish among the aristocracy. The dish truly took shape during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), when a chef named Zhang introduced roasted duck as a signature dish for royal banquets.

As the centuries passed, Peking Duck evolved, and by the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), when Beijing became the capital, the dish was refined into its current form, spreading to the broader population and solidifying its place as a beloved Chinese culinary treasure.

How to Eat Peking Duck Like a Pro

Peking Duck isn’t just about the flavor—it’s an experience! Here are the top ways to enjoy this iconic dish:

Method 1: Wrapping in a Soft Pancake (Ho Ye Bing)

• Step 1: Spread a thin layer of sweet bean sauce on a warm pancake.
• Step 2: Add slices of Peking Duck.
• Step 3: Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and cucumber, then roll it up like a burrito and take a bite!

The key here is the freshness of the pancake. Only a freshly cooked pancake can bring out the full flavor of the duck.

Method 2: With Garlic Paste, Soy Sauce, and Radish Sticks

• Step 1: Smash fresh garlic and mix it with a dash of soy sauce.
• Step 2: Slice green radish into strips.
• Step 3: Enjoy a slice of duck with a radish stick, dipping each bite into the garlic-soy sauce mixture.

This method brings an extra kick, as the fresh, spicy radish complements the rich flavor of the duck, providing a satisfying contrast.

Method 3: Enjoying the Crispy Duck Skin with Sugar

For those who prefer something sweeter and lighter, try dipping crispy duck skin into sugar! It’s a simple but delightful way to savor the duck’s irresistible crunch and flavor without overwhelming your palate.

Method 4: Duck Bone Soup

After you’ve enjoyed the meat, don’t discard the duck bones! Use them to make a refreshing and flavorful broth. The fruitwood aroma and the richness of the duck create a perfectly balanced soup. Just simmer the bones gently to make a light, delicious broth that’s the ideal way to end your meal.

Top 6 Peking Duck Restaurants to Visit in Beijing

Now that you know how to eat Peking Duck, let me share my personal picks for the best places to enjoy this dish in Beijing. As someone who’s spent years exploring the city’s culinary scene, I can assure you that these spots are a must-try!

1. Quanjude (Hepingmen Branch)

• Address: 14 Qianmen West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing (80 meters from Hepingmen Subway Station, C2 Exit)
• Price: ¥179 per person
• Specialty: Known for its traditional “hanging oven” roasting technique, Quanjude’s duck is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It’s been a staple in Beijing for over a century!

2. Bianyifang (Hademen Branch)

• Address: 16 Chongwai Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Bianyifang Building, 4th Floor
• Price: ¥123 per person
• Specialty: Famous for its “moist-roast” technique, Bianyifang serves up a richer, more succulent duck with a softer skin. It’s perfect for those who love a more traditional, indulgent experience.

3. Li Qun Roast Duck Restaurant

• Address: 11 Beixiangfeng Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing
• Price: ¥120 per person
• Specialty: Located in a traditional Beijing courtyard, this restaurant offers an intimate dining experience with beautifully roasted ducks, served with authentic Beijing-style accompaniments.

4. Da Dong (Shanghai IAPM Mall)

• Address: 999 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 6th Floor, IAPM Mall
• Price: ¥368 per person
• Specialty: This Michelin-starred restaurant is known for its innovative take on Peking Duck. The duck here is presented with a modern twist, served with unique sides and a refined dining atmosphere.

5. Siji Minfu (Forbidden City Branch)

• Address: 11 Nanxizi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
• Price: ¥145 per person
• Specialty: A favorite among both locals and tourists, especially the Forbidden City location. The ambiance and the taste of the Peking Duck here are exceptional.

6. Ziguangyuan (Ritan Branch)

• Address: 6 Ritan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
• Price: ¥61 per person
• Specialty: A hidden gem offering affordable Peking Duck with great quality. It’s the place for those who want to enjoy authentic duck without breaking the bank.

Where to Buy Peking Duck as a Gift?

Bringing a taste of Beijing home is a fantastic way to share the culinary magic of this iconic dish with friends and family. However, due to varying import policies in different countries, it’s best to buy vacuum-packed Peking Duck for travel. Here are my top recommendations for where to purchase this beloved dish:

Supermarkets

• Price: ¥75 per duck
• What’s Included: A whole Peking Duck, pancakes, and sweet bean sauce.
• Why It’s Great: This is a convenient option for those looking for a simple and affordable way to take Peking Duck home. It’s a great starter set that includes all the essentials for a delicious meal.

Ziguangyuan (Ritan Branch)

• Packaging: Vacuum-sealed for easy transport.
• Price: ¥158 per duck
• What’s Included: Two boxes of duck meat and skin, two boxes of duck sauce, pancakes (with parchment paper between each piece to prevent sticking), a whole duck, duck bones, duck legs, wings, as well as sides like hawthorn, white sugar, garlic paste, cucumber, and green onions.
• Why It’s Great: This set offers everything you need for an authentic Peking Duck experience, with thoughtful packaging that preserves freshness and flavor. Ziguangyuan ensures that all the components, from the crispy skin to the fragrant sauce, are of the highest quality. The addition of extra garnishes like cucumber and garlic paste enhances the flavor profile, making it a perfect gift for anyone who loves traditional Chinese cuisine.

How Is Peking Duck Made?

The art of making Peking Duck is a meticulous process, ensuring that each duck is roasted to perfection. Here’s an inside look at how it’s done:

Selecting the Duck

Traditionally, Beijing Fill Ducks were used—large, white ducks that were fattened using a specialized diet. The ducks were fed a mixture of millet and other nutritious grains, almost to the point where they didn’t need to eat on their own. This process of fattening the ducks is where the term “fill-duck teaching” comes from. Though these ducks were once considered ideal, modern preferences for leaner meat have led to a shift toward using leaner ducks today.

Once the ducks are carefully cleaned, they are filled with water through the vent, and the opening is sealed. This helps ensure that the meat stays tender and juicy during the roasting process.

Roasting Methods: Hanging Oven vs. Moist-Roast

• Moist-Roast (焖炉): In this method, a furnace with a door is used, and sorghum stalks are burned as fuel. Once the furnace reaches the right temperature, the fire is extinguished, and the duck is placed inside. The duck is roasted in the residual heat, which creates a moist cooking environment. This method results in a tender, juicy duck with a rich flavor. Bianyifang is one of the most famous restaurants known for this style of roasting.
• Hanging Oven (挂炉): This method uses fruitwood (such as jujube wood or pear wood) as fuel, which gives the duck a fragrant, smoky aroma. The duck is hung inside an open oven, where it is rotated regularly to ensure even cooking. The heat is intense, causing the fat under the skin to melt and crisp up the duck’s skin. The result is a perfectly golden, crispy skin and tender meat. Quanjude is perhaps the most well-known restaurant using this method, and it is famous for its crispy, flavorful Peking Duck.

The Final Touch: Slicing and Serving

After roasting, the duck is carefully sliced into thin pieces, a skillful process known as “duck slicing”. Ideally, this should be done in under 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The slices of duck are served with scallions, cucumber, and sweet bean paste, all wrapped in a delicate thin pancake. The duck’s crisp skin, succulent meat, and the sweetness of the sauce combine to create an unforgettable flavor profile.

Don’t forget, after the meat is removed, the duck bones are perfect for making a rich, flavorful broth. Simply simmer the bones with some aromatics to create a delicious soup, which is the perfect way to end your meal.

How to Enjoy Peking Duck in a Restaurant

When you’re in a restaurant, Peking Duck is typically served as a whole duck or half-duck. A whole duck is usually enough for 4-5 people, while a half-duck is perfect for 2-3 people. Don’t forget to order a few Beijing-style side dishes, like Zha Jiang Mian (fried sauce noodles) or Grilled Lamb Skewers, to complete your meal!

For more Beijing food recommendations, check out the Beijing Food Guide.