Peking Duck in Beijing: What to Order and How to Eat It

Peking Roast Duck · China travel guide

If it’s your first time trying Peking duck in Beijing, pick a restaurant near the part of town you’ll be visiting. For one or two people, ask if you can order a half duck. At the table, try a piece of crisp skin on its own, then wrap a little duck with sauce and vegetables in a thin pancake.

“Peking duck” and “Beijing roast duck” are two names for the same dish. Try either name when searching a map app or looking at an English menu.

How much duck should you order?

If you’re dining alone or as a pair, ask about the smallest portion. If the restaurant serves only whole ducks, order fewer sides. For a larger group, ask how many people a duck usually serves before you add vegetable dishes.

Ask what comes with your order. Pancakes, sauce and vegetables may be included or listed separately. Some kitchens can make soup from the remaining bones. If you want it, ask whether it’s available and what it costs.

What to ask when you order
“Can I order half a duck?”
“Does it come with pancakes, vegetables and sauce?”

Try the duck before adding sauce

Some restaurants serve the crisp skin separately. Taste a piece on its own while it’s still warm, then try a slice with both skin and meat. If the server brings sugar for the skin, dip just a corner to see how you like it.

How to wrap Peking duck in a pancake

Spread a little sweet bean sauce on a pancake. Add a couple of duck slices, some cucumber for crunch and a few slivers of scallion for a sharper bite. Fold up the bottom edge, then roll the sides around the filling. Start small so the pancake is easy to hold.

Where to try Peking duck in Beijing

If you’ll be near Qianmen, two classic options let you choose between Beijing’s two traditional roasting methods.

Quanjude, Qianmen branch (30 Qianmen Street) is a place to try the hanging-oven style. The ducks hang in an open oven over a wood fire.

Bianyifang, Xianyukou branch (65–77 Xianyukou Street) is known for its closed-oven method, which roasts the duck with indirect heat.

1949 – Duck de Chine (98 Jinbao Street) is a courtyard restaurant to consider if you’re near Wangfujing and want a more formal dinner.

If Peking duck is on your Beijing wish list, tell TX China Tours when planning your 7-day Beijing and Zhangjiajie private itinerary. We can help you choose a restaurant near your evening plans and work out how much to order.

What to ask about allergies and halal preparation

If you need to avoid wheat, soy, sesame or another ingredient, ask staff what’s in the glaze, sauce and pancakes. For a food allergy, tell them before you order and ask how the kitchen prepares the dish.

If you need a halal meal, ask where the duck comes from and how it is prepared. Check the whole meal, including the sauce and any side dishes.

Quick questions about the dish

Is Peking duck the same as crispy aromatic duck?

They’re prepared and served differently. In Beijing, the roast duck is carved into slices of skin and meat. Crispy aromatic duck on many overseas menus usually comes shredded.

Should you reserve a table for Peking duck?

If you have a particular branch in mind or need to eat at a set time, ask whether it takes reservations or uses a walk-in queue. Check whether you need to order the duck ahead of time, especially if you’re bringing a group.