When it comes to Beijing duck, there’s no denying that Beijing is home to the world’s finest. If you’re looking for an exceptional roast duck experience in the city, Da Dong Beijing Duck Restaurant is a place you can’t miss. While it’s not the cheapest option, it’s well worth the splurge, especially if you only have one chance to try authentic Beijing duck. We were torn between Da Dong and the renowned Quanjude in Wangfujing, but after reading numerous glowing reviews of Da Dong and hearing that Quanjude’s reputation had recently diminished, the decision was clear.
The First Impressions
Our experience at Da Dong started off a bit rocky. It was New Year’s Day, and after some confusion with the wine order, we ended up waiting close to 30 minutes for our duck to arrive. When it finally came, we were a little disappointed by the size. The waiter had assured us that half a duck would be sufficient for two people, but the portion seemed small. Fanfan, who was skeptical about trying Peking duck, wasn’t pleased with what she saw. “Is that it?” she asked repeatedly, clearly unimpressed. I was starting to get a little nervous. But as soon as she took a bite, everything changed. “It’s amazing,” she said, and those words were not something I ever expected to hear from her. For someone who rarely expresses excitement about food, this was a huge compliment.
The Flavor of Perfection
Though I’m no expert in the art of preparing Beijing duck, it was clear that Da Dong had perfected it. The combination of the crispy skin, the fresh crunch of cucumber, the bite of spring onion, and the rich hoisin sauce created a flavor profile that was unlike anything I had ever tasted before. Despite the slightly awkward start, the duck was undoubtedly the highlight of our meal. Looking back, our only regret was not ordering a whole duck. Even though we were satisfied with the complimentary Tanghulu (candied hawthorns) and mandarin oranges, I would’ve happily devoured an entire duck—maybe even two. The taste was so good, I didn’t care about the price.
The cost of one duck was 268 Yuan (around $40), which included pancakes, sauce, and other condiments. While it may seem pricey, this is one of the more affordable items on the menu, making it a great value for the experience.
The Da Dong Experience
The atmosphere at Da Dong is a mix of tourists and affluent locals. Tourists usually come for the famous duck, while the locals take the opportunity to explore the restaurant’s more adventurous offerings. Da Dong’s menu is vast, with a wide range of high-end and unique dishes, some of which I’d be hesitant to try myself. Chef Dong’s “Artistic Conception Food” includes items like braised spiny sea cucumber, turtle stews, and even seahorse soup. While we didn’t venture into these more exotic choices, we were more than satisfied with the Peking duck experience.
For anyone visiting Beijing, Da Dong is a must-try for Peking duck enthusiasts. The duck is undoubtedly the star of the show, and the restaurant’s reputation for excellence is well-deserved. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned fan of Beijing duck, Da Dong will not disappoint.
