Siji Minfu Roast Duck

The Peking duck locals actually recommend to visitors: crisp mahogany skin, juicy meat, theatrical carving, and honest prices — about 198 RMB for a whole duck. Multiple branches; the Forbidden City-adjacent one has moat views, the Qianmen and Dengshikou branches shorter waits. The only tax you pay is the queue, which can hit two hours.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What are the hours?

Roughly 10:30am to 9:30pm daily at most branches, with continuous service through the afternoon — which is exactly what makes the 2-3pm dead zone the smart time to walk in.

Is it kid-friendly and English-friendly?

Yes — picture menus, patient staff used to travelers, and the tableside carving is dinner theater for kids. It's loud and bustling, which works in your favor with small children.

Which branch should I pick?

The Nanchizi branch by the Forbidden City's east side is famous for corner-window views of the moat — and has the worst queues. Dengshikou (32 Dengshikou West Street) and Qianmen (1 Dashilan Street) serve the same duck with saner waits.

How do I eat Peking duck properly?

Smear a little sweet bean sauce on the pancake, add duck, scallion slivers, and cucumber, roll it up and eat with your hands. Dip a piece of pure crispy skin in the sugar first — it sounds odd and tastes incredible.

How much is the duck?

Around 198 RMB for a whole duck and 108 for a half, carved tableside with pancakes, scallion, cucumber, and sugar for dipping the crispy skin. Two people eat very well on a half duck plus a couple of sides.

What else should I order besides duck?

The duck liver pâté-style starters, mustard duck webs if you're adventurous, and simple greens to cut the richness. Honestly, don't over-order: the duck with all its accompaniments is filling, and the second course of duck soup comes with it.

How do I avoid the queue?

Go at off-hours — arrive before 5pm for dinner or around 2pm for a late lunch — or have your hotel book ahead. Walk-ins at 6:30pm on a weekend can wait one to two hours; the door staff hand out numbered tickets.

Is Siji Minfu better than Quanjude or Da Dong?

For most people, yes on value: duck quality rivals the famous names at half the price, which is why locals send visitors here. Quanjude trades on history, Da Dong on refinement — Siji Minfu just quietly serves excellent duck to full houses every night.

Nearby in Ask Beijing

• Hai Di Lao (Wangfujing Branch)Restaurant0.25 km · 3 min walk
• Donglaishun Mutton HotpotRestaurant0.4 km · 5 min walk
• Wangfujing StreetNeighborhood0.77 km · 10 min walk
• National Art Museum of China (NAMOC)Museum0.81 km · 10 min walk
• Da Dong Roast DuckRestaurant0.93 km · 12 min walk