Eating Peking Duck In Beijing
Specialty Restaurants Where It Is Prepared the Authentic Way
Here are the Chinese specialty restaurants where the Peking duck (or Beijing roast duck) is prepared using traditional methods.
Hundreds of restaurants in Beijing list the Peking duck on their menu, but the prices and standards vary. Lower-end restaurants may charge as little as 40 – 70 yuan (US$5 – 10) for a whole duck. Although edible, the quality is lacking because the ducks, ingredients and cooking facilities used are not top-notch.
In well-established roast duck specialty restaurants, a whole duck costs 140 – 200 yuan (US$20 – 28). These restaurants have their own duck farms, in which the best breed of duck is raised under strict quality control. They also make use of high-quality roasting and cooking facilities to maintain the authentic taste of the dish. If you have the opportunity, do visit these famous specialty restaurants to experience the original flavor of the Peking duck.
Bianyi Fang:
Founded in 1855, Bianyi Fang has the longest history and oldest brand name among the specialty restaurants. Today, it is one of the rare few restaurants – if not the only one – that still uses the original traditional method of roasting the ducks in conventional convection ovens. It is located in Hadenmen Hotel along Chongwenmenwai Street.
The flagship restaurant was set up by Yang Quan Ren at Qianmen in 1864. This restaurant is the most famous proponent of the second traditional method, which is to roast the ducks in open stoves to get the skin crispy.
Over the years, Quan Ju De has established itself as the name synonymous with Beijing roast duck. It has been very successful with its branding, expanding into a chain of seven restaurants and three franchises in Beijing, and with outlets in Shanghai, Changchun and Chongqing. The outlet at Hepingmen also boasts of being the world’s largest roast duck restaurant.
However, locals have commented that prices have become too expensive without giving good value for money. There were also complaints about inconsistent quality and lack of service. Recent plans by the chain to introduce the use of a German-designed electric oven for roasting ducks raised further concerns that it is straying from its traditional roots.
Da Dong:
Its first outlet at Tuanjie Lake was opened in 1985. Though lacking in history compared to Quan Ju De, this restaurant quickly established itself as one of the most popular and the best roast duck specialty restaurant in Beijing.
What sets Da Dong apart is its good quality of service and the consistently high quality of the roast duck, which is lean and less oily. Being a privately-owned enterprise, it has been innovative and has introduced new condiments such as mashed garlic and mustard to be eaten with the duck meat, as well as sliced turnip and pickled vegetables to help cleanse the palate.
In 2007, Da Dong set up a second outlet at Nan Xin Cang Cultural Street, where the royal granary of the Ming and Qing dynasties have been conserved and restored. Feasting on the traditional dish within the historical surroundings is a memorable experience indeed!
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