Peking ducks in Beijing

When we visited Beijing last year, we were lucky enough to try TWO types of Peking duck – one at the famous Quan Ju De restaurant on Wangfuqing Street and another at the Olympic Green.

QUAN JU DE RESTAURANT
Four hungry families (with 6 kids) trudged down Wangfuqing Street and trooped into this crowded restaurant tucked away among some other shops on this busy, glitzy shopping street.

While the Chinese-speaking experts ordered from the menu, the rest of us either used the washroom and or asked for tea refills because we just loved the extra-long spout on the teapot!

Only two refills because we couldn’t drink that much tea anyway hahaha

Because we ordered two ducks, we got two butchers They were skilful and swift – although a bit jaded (similar with the Chinese waitress) because Quan Ju De is highly popular among the tourists, Chinese or international.

Judging by the certificate indicating the XX,XXX,XXXth duck we’re eating, I could be the XXX,XXX,XXXth tourist (or annoying foreigner) snapping photos too

How’s the duck? Mmmm…as delicious as it looks! The Peking duck skin was thin and crispy while the meat was juicy, tender and succulent.

Everyone wasted no time in wrapping up pieces of Peking duck meat in paper-thin pancakes piled with spring onions and the sweet sauce. Really yummy! I think everyone had 6-7 pancakes on average…

My fussy eater? He loved the pancakes by itself but because the duck meat was so tender, he didn’t mind being fed slivers of it. We also ordered white rice and ate other Chinese dishes but the highlight at Quan Ju De is definitely the duck. Got to eat it while it’s hot, though!

Check out Greg & Nee’s experience at Quan Ju De in Melbourne…

PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT AT OLYMPIC GREEN
Since it isn’t everyday that we visit Beijing, I contacted the Chinese colleagues I’ve been working with for the past 2-3 years. I’d met two of them once and only communicated with another two via conference calls and emails.

It was a really long awaited meeting because I had deferred my work trips to Beijing twice – once because I was pregnant and the second time because I was about to deliver!

When we shook hands all around, my toddler held up his little hand too. We had a good laugh because he looked SO serious and cute

Delighted that we’re FINALLY meeting in Beijing, they took our little family out to a nice Peking duck dinner.

The restaurant is located very near the Olympic Green (where the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube are) and I’ve got to ask my colleagues again for the name of the restaurant…

Aren’t the umbrella-like lamps hanging overhead beautiful? I’m always impressed by the creative and decorative touches the Chinese put into their restaurants etc…

We had to climb up beautiful flight of stairs surrounding a little koi pond. Can you see my little chipmunk? I think the Chinese waitress was afraid he’d dive into the pond!

We were led into a private room, which had a chamber-style decor. Can you see the paintings of Chinese ladies in the background?

Since the room had a very “private” atmosphere i.e. a man trying to seduce a pretty lady, I was struck at how “open-minded” my three very senior male colleagues have become when the fuwuyuan (waitress) quickly apologized for showing us the wrong room!

Our Chinese hosts were incredibly hospitable because almost every dish was suitable for Lucas.

Since two of them had young grandsons and one was a new father, they didn’t mind his roving around the room, poking his nose here and there or tasting/rejecting the foods…

As he couldn’t speak Chinese then, they (including the waitress) talked to him in English with lots of laughter. My hats off to the waitress for her patience in leading him away from dangerous plug points or other untouchables.

The Peking duck here was served all cut up – still warm and juicy on a bed of lettuce with the accompanying condiments.

What’s different is that a lightly toasted sesame seed bun is served together with the paper-thin pancakes. The result? Equally delicious – more substantial really because I could only take 2-3 buns…

Other dishes included a cold liver, which Lucas actually liked! Sorry I can’t remember what the other dishes were…too busy catching up with old friends

Tagged as: Northeast China, poultry, restaurants