The consolidated Peking Duck thread
#256
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
Just back from Beijing....
Stayed at the Marriott Executive Apartments just off Wangfujing (terrific place, especially for families) and ate at DaDong for duck (basically in the same building as the Marriott, but you do have to walk outside) and HaiDiLao for hotpot.
Liked DaDong a lot. The duck, as has been noted, wasn't that oily, and the skin was amazing - especially when dipped in the sugar. Service wasn't great (I speak some Mandarin) but it was fine, and we had no trouble getting a 6pm table on a Saturday night making reservations that same day.
Stayed at the Marriott Executive Apartments just off Wangfujing (terrific place, especially for families) and ate at DaDong for duck (basically in the same building as the Marriott, but you do have to walk outside) and HaiDiLao for hotpot.
Liked DaDong a lot. The duck, as has been noted, wasn't that oily, and the skin was amazing - especially when dipped in the sugar. Service wasn't great (I speak some Mandarin) but it was fine, and we had no trouble getting a 6pm table on a Saturday night making reservations that same day.
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,419
The family liked it: very tasty duck and a very pleasant dining experience. Out of curiosity, does their duck vary from location to location? And are the prices the same? The duck seemed a bit expensive to me (more than US$40 a duck, plus a couple bucks for each set-up), but the total price wasn't that much because we weren't that hungry (we were served a late lunch on the plane). Are there "better value" duck restaurants, where the quality is comparable, but the price is lower?
#258
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
Due to problems at the PEK airport (long wait for entry-without-visa and lost luggage) we got into Beijing late. So we just went across the street from the JW Marriott to Da Dong (is that the "China Central Mall"?).
The family liked it: very tasty duck and a very pleasant dining experience. Out of curiosity, does their duck vary from location to location? And are the prices the same? The duck seemed a bit expensive to me (more than US$40 a duck, plus a couple bucks for each set-up), but the total price wasn't that much because we weren't that hungry (we were served a late lunch on the plane). Are there "better value" duck restaurants, where the quality is comparable, but the price is lower?
The family liked it: very tasty duck and a very pleasant dining experience. Out of curiosity, does their duck vary from location to location? And are the prices the same? The duck seemed a bit expensive to me (more than US$40 a duck, plus a couple bucks for each set-up), but the total price wasn't that much because we weren't that hungry (we were served a late lunch on the plane). Are there "better value" duck restaurants, where the quality is comparable, but the price is lower?
We also had a long wait for the TWOV at PEK - only one person working the line for most of the time we were there, plus a group ahead of us who had issues which necessitated the agent spending lots of time with them, on the phone, etc.
#260
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,419
I want to say that our duck at DaDong (Wangfujing) was 268RMB, so the $40 sounds about right.
We also had a long wait for the TWOV at PEK - only one person working the line for most of the time we were there, plus a group ahead of us who had issues which necessitated the agent spending lots of time with them, on the phone, etc.
We also had a long wait for the TWOV at PEK - only one person working the line for most of the time we were there, plus a group ahead of us who had issues which necessitated the agent spending lots of time with them, on the phone, etc.
The TWOV line at PEK is definitely not a line you want to wait on because it is understaffed and the process of validation (as you mention) is cumbersome and time-consuming. It's kind of hard to justify the money and hassle of getting a visa when you don't really need it, but I do hope I have the need for a regular visa (now good for 10 years) by the next time I visit to avoid that line!
#262
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,030
Also on their website, they have a QR code for their Weixin service account. The welcome page lists all of their stores; click through for maps and addresses.
#263
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 932
If you want the specific branch mentioned earlier (on Dengshikou Xijie), it is the one at the top of the web-page linked above by moondog.
For a map of this location (assuming you are outside China .... )
(1) go to maps.google.com
(2) put this text in the search bar: 北京市东城区灯市口西街32号
(or use coordinates: 39.918525,116.408983)
(3) press search
(4) zoom the map a couple of times
Where it says "SjiMinfu" is about the correct location.
(5) take a screen shot - as if you don't have a working VPN Google maps might not work for you once in Beijing.
Caveat: location verified from Baidu street view - so in fact only valid for as long as it takes to knock down a building - which in China is not very long...
For a map of this location (assuming you are outside China .... )
(1) go to maps.google.com
(2) put this text in the search bar: 北京市东城区灯市口西街32号
(or use coordinates: 39.918525,116.408983)
(3) press search
(4) zoom the map a couple of times
Where it says "SjiMinfu" is about the correct location.
(5) take a screen shot - as if you don't have a working VPN Google maps might not work for you once in Beijing.
Caveat: location verified from Baidu street view - so in fact only valid for as long as it takes to knock down a building - which in China is not very long...
#264
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,030
#266
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
Well I had dinner at Siji Minfu and it was EXCELLENT. Best duck I've ever had in my life. Also tried a variety of other things.
Just lifting the menu adds muscles and it's in English and Chinese so no worries. I went with my guide but you can point to what you want with no issues.
Just make sure you get a "printout" to hold your place (think deli counter number). You'll have to find someone who speaks Chinese to tell you what number is being announced over the loud speaker.
We were also told if you got a number, walked around and came back after your number was called, you'd be given the first available table, so no worries.
Again, I can't tell you how great the duck was with condiments.
Just lifting the menu adds muscles and it's in English and Chinese so no worries. I went with my guide but you can point to what you want with no issues.
Just make sure you get a "printout" to hold your place (think deli counter number). You'll have to find someone who speaks Chinese to tell you what number is being announced over the loud speaker.
We were also told if you got a number, walked around and came back after your number was called, you'd be given the first available table, so no worries.
Again, I can't tell you how great the duck was with condiments.
#267
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
^ Glad you enjoyed it. Siji Minfu is a tasty and well-priced alternative to some of the more high-falutin' and more famous duckeries in Beijing.
#268
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
I actually hired the guide to take me on a tour of the snack markets in the neighborhood but after someone staffing the Hilton lounge said don't eat there and my guide said no way I'm letting you put that in your body, I said OK, we're going to Siji Minfu now!
#269
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I have you to thank for it and appreciate the recommendation.
I actually hired the guide to take me on a tour of the snack markets in the neighborhood but after someone staffing the Hilton lounge said don't eat there and my guide said no way I'm letting you put that in your body, I said OK, we're going to Siji Minfu now!
I actually hired the guide to take me on a tour of the snack markets in the neighborhood but after someone staffing the Hilton lounge said don't eat there and my guide said no way I'm letting you put that in your body, I said OK, we're going to Siji Minfu now!
#270
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YOW-YYZ-TPE
Programs: AC75, TD AeroInfiniteP, AmexBizPLAT, SPG-G HyattGlobby
Posts: 381
I must agree, having never tried the PEK versions of this dinner, I was blown away. Most delicious, fatty (just the way i like it), and great selection on condiments, and side dishes. I ordered a Yangjing Beer with dinner, it felt like room temperature. LOL~~
Can't wait to go back for a more detailed meal, with more than 2 guests to sample more items on the menu. That, and I was racing to catch the last Airport Express train departing Dongzimen Station at 22:30.
PS: I swear I saw John Chen CEO of Blackberry at the restaurant. If I was not in a hurry, I would have walked over, and asked, "Why is my Blackberry still not working in China?"