Crispy duck, Peking style

Peking Duck has been prepared since China’s imperial era, and is now considered one of the country’s national foods. Do not miss the opportunity to try this amazing dish if you ever visit Beijing.

If it is your first time trying the meat, Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing’s Dongcheng district might give you a great start. 

Through a clear glass window, anyone can watch the ducks being roasted, from the minute they go into the brick ovens until they are sliced into suculent pieces right before your eyes.

Famous for its thin and crispy skin, the meat is served with thin steamed pancakes, spring onions and dark sweet bean sauce. The pancake is to wrap the meat with other served vegetables.

Each diner is served with their own plate, which looks rather like a little artist’s palette. The plate consists of two types of sweet bean sauces, and vegetables including onions, garlic and sliced radish.

The restaurant is modern enough to attract foreign visitors while keeping its dishes strictly Chinese to keep its local customers. Its front hall is a nice place to meet people with a glass of wine while everyone is waiting to be seated.

Unlike the front hall, the dining rooms of the restaurant appear rather rowdy and traditionally Chinese. Once you are seated, a chef comes with a duck that has just been taken out of the oven and slices it for you.

Aside from the famous meat, the restaurant offers dishes that made using the stems of lilies. The dishes are visually pleasing, as they are decorated with actual lily flowers. And the taste isn’t too bad, either.

•Address: 1st F/L, Nanxincang Building, Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

•Telephone: 86 10 5169 0328

•Hours: 11a.m. to 10 p.m.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)