Beijing: Peking Duck Private Kitchen

OUR PEKING DUCK EXPERIENCE HAD TO BE PERFECT. Two main reasons: (1) it's my dad's birthday and he specifically requested for a Peking Duck dinner and (2) my husband is an anti-peking duck. He usually has a huge appetite for everything... but not the duck, he claims that it's always too oily and a bite makes him want to puke. After much convincing, he decided he will have a piece.


I started researching and found out about the more famous restos that offer "the best" Peking Duck in town. However, I've also read reviews that these restaurants are quite overrated and overpriced eversince the Olympics in 2008. Luckily, I chanced upon a review of the Peking Duck Private Kitchen and it got me interested. I thought that it's different from the busy Chinese restaurant atmosphere, a place where we can relax and have a quiet dinner. I learned that a lot of foreign businessmen come here which is why I was sure that the staff can speak English. Also, the owner was once a chef in the famous Quanjude restaurant so I was quite confident that the quality of their food would not differ much from the pricey ones.

The interiors of the Peking Duck Private Kitchen exudes a warm, cozy atmosphere, perfect for an intimate dinner. .

What worried me was finding the restaurant itself. It was located in the Central Business District, quite far from where we were located and no subway station near. To save us from the hassle of getting lost, I printed a chinese translation of the place and decided to get a cab to bring us there. Indeed, it was a good move. The driver immediately understood what was written and we did not get lost. It was located right at the ground floor of a commercial building called Vantone Center.

I kept this photo in my tablet and printed a hard copy for safety
(Source: http://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/Peking-Duck-Private-Kitchen)

When we got there, a female staff greeted us and asked us if we made any reservations. I got nervous at first because we did not make any. I told her "no" and held my breath, fortunately, she signaled us to follow her and she led us to a table near the open kitchen. 


We ordered one whole duck set, tofu soup, cheesy duck rolls, sweet and sour pork and... since we're Pinoys... rice!

Our location allowed us to see the preparations inside the kitchen. We witnessed how they roast a duck and how they squeeze off excess oil from it. Then they hand it outside to the carver who is just in front of the window. He wasn't wearing any gloves but it didn't bother me. I was busy admiring his skills in carving the duck oh so beautifully.

a glass window to allow viewing of the kitchen

the duck carver

They brought the duck skin first, sort of like an appetizer, together with sugar for dipping. Unfotunately, I wasn't able to take shots of the duck skin.


When the duck set came, along with the sweet sauce, pancakes and vegetable stuffings, all of us were impressed. The duck meat was beautifully arranged on a platter set on top of a wooden box which served as a cover for the small candles that kept the meat warm.

It was indeed love at first bite. It wasn't that oily and biting into it is like biting into cotton candy. It literally melts inside the mouth.


Was I able to achieve my goals? Yes and yes. My dad enjoyed his birthday dinner very much and he loved the cozy atmosphere inside PDPK. As for my husband... well, I can now say that I've converted my husband not to discriminate against all Peking Duck. Saying that he "loved" PDPK duck is an understatement... he drooled over it and at the thought of it. He even dreamt about it that same night. I was so happy watching him stuff his mouth with duck meat and pancakes.

A whole duck set costs around 100rmb. Halfway through the dinner, we were already full. We could've just ordered the set and we would still be satisfied. But no, we had to listen to our Pinoy instincts and order cups of rice. Our total bill summed up to an estimate of 280rmb.


I wouldn't know the difference of the PDPK duck from Quanjude or Da Dong but one thing is for sure, it was indeed a meal to remember. ALL THUMBS UP!


Here's a short video of my husband who suddenly became THE EXPERT on eating a roasted duck: