You’ll never hear us say no to Peking Duck. This gourmet classic wins us over every time with its thin, crispy glazed skin and juicy, tender meat. Plus, we like to show off our rolling skills with spring onions, cucumbers, a dash of sweet bean sauce. So, for this month’s edition of Chef’s Table, we’re putting the spotlight on Peking Duck, which is always a crowd-pleaser. We asked Chef Lee Man Sing of Mott 32 to spill the beans on his go-to places to enjoy the best Peking Duck in Hong Kong.
Be sure to save this expert-recommended list.
The origins of Peking Duck
Peking Duck evolved from a simple street food in Hangzhou and Nanjing into a Chinese culinary icon. Its rise began when the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle Emperor moved the capital Nanjing to Beijing, introducing the dish to the city. Farmers bred ducks for their ideal characteristics, like thin skin and tender flesh. Soon after, restaurants like Bianyifang (established 1885) and Quanjude (1864) made Peking Duck notable. Over-time, different seasoned chefs mastered the art of the recipe and ultimately forged the world-renowned dish we know today.
Chef Lee Man Sing, the master of fusion techniques
Beginning his career at just 14 in a cha chaan teng, Chef Lee Man Sing discovered his passion for food early. A natural hard worker, he honed his skills across various Chinese restaurants, enduring demanding conditions. His dedication led him to become a head chef by 31. From there, he climbed the ladder to prestigious kitchens, eventually earning a Michelin star at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. He is now celebrated for masterfully blending Chinese flavours with Western techniques in acclaimed dishes like his Smoked Black Cod and Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck.
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Chef Lee Man Sing of Mott 32 lists his favourite places for Peking Duck in Hong Kong
Mott 32
When it comes to Peking Duck, Mott 32 is in a league of its own, famous not just in Hong Kong but across the globe. And the ambience is just as impressive. Its award-winning design artfully merges a New York loft aesthetic with classic Chinese details. Ideal for anything from a date night to a group celebration, Mott 32 serves up top-tier dishes, including superb homemade dim sum, the freshest seafood, and of course, their gloriously glazed meats.
Chef says: “Mott 32 has carefully sourced and selected the best ducks to create the most flavourful and perfectly crispy duck. Our Signature 42 day Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck is carved using a unique technique developed by our Culinary Team that locks in all the juices making it a true feast fit for royalty as it was intended. It is served table-side with freshly steamed pancakes, thinly sliced cucumber, scallions, raw cane sugar, and house-made special hoisin sauce. The juicy cucumber allows a refreshing lift as you bite into the crispy, moist, and smoky duck skin.”
- Address Basement, Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2885 8688
- Price range HKD 400-800 (INR 4,588-9,175)
- Opening hours Daily from 12 pm to 3 pm, and 6 pm to 12 am
Xing South Beauty
For a taste of Beijing’s finest without leaving Hong Kong, look no further than Xing South Beauty. Get a taste of the culinary legacy of Beijing’s stalwarts, Lu Shang Lu and Qiao Jiang Nan, but reimagined with a fiery Sichuan twist. The menu is further elevated by selections from Michelin 3-star Chao Shang Chao and other celebrated restaurants. So, you are in for a gourmet adventure that harmonises the distinct, hearty flavours of the North with the comforting nuances of the South.
Chef says: “Xing South Beauty offers traditional Lu cuisine complemented by innovative Sichuan flavors. I recommend the Peking duck for its creative pairing with sesame caviar, a playful, modern twist that adds texture and depth.”
- Address 3/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2808 1311
- Price range Above HKD 800 (INR 9,170)
- Opening hours Daily from 11:30 am to 3 pm, and 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Xin Rong Ji
From its humble beginnings in Zhejiang province, Xin Rong Ji has expanded into a culinary powerhouse across China. Its Beijing flagship holds the prestigious three Michelin stars, while its Hong Kong location, awarded a Michelin star just one year after opening in 2018, is equally impressive. The restaurant specialises in Taizhou cuisine, celebrated for its exquisite seafood. Standout dishes include the yellow croaker soup, rich sauteed rice cakes with cuttlefish and ink, and the roast duck, carved table-side.
Chef says: “I really enjoy the beautifully burnished skin that reflects the kitchen’s precision and attention to detail. While the restaurant is best known for its refined Taizhou seafood and delicate flavours, the duck stands out for its elegant presentation and visual appeal.”
- Address 1/F & G/F, China Overseas Building, 138 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 3462 3516
- Price range Above HKD 800 (INR 9,170)
- Opening hours Daily from 12 pm to 3 pm, and 6 pm to 11 pm
Sha Tin 18
Sha Tin 18, the sleek and modern Chinese restaurant in Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin, is a top destination for Peking Duck. Beyond a menu featuring delights like Steamed Australian Lobster and Flambeed Rose Wine Barbecued Pork, the star attraction is their signature duck. Pre-ordered and ceremoniously carved at your table, it is divided into three parts; crispy skin, delicate breast meat, and flavourful leg meat, offering a complete and elevated experience.
Chef says: “The Peking Duck here served in a lively kitchen where guests can watch the chefs in action. Located in Hyatt Regency Hong Kong in Sha Tin, the restaurant offers a vibrant take on Dongguan and northern Chinese cuisine, with the duck praised for its crisp skin and bold, satisfying flavour.”
- Address 4/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 3723 7932
- Price range HKD 200-400 (INR 2,293-4,586)
- Opening hours Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 3 pm, and 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and 8 pm to 10:30 pm
China Tang
China Tang at Landmark is well-known for several things. The intricate design details with hand-painted and embroidered tapestries. The all-natural ingredients with no additives or MSG. And the flavours of Beijing and Sichuan, including its signature barbecued meats like pigeon, duck, pork, and chicken.
Chef says: “China Tang highlights classic Cantonese dishes while nodding to the flavours of Sichuan and Beijing. Among the signature offerings, I recommend the Peking duck, a dish that showcases the kitchen’s technical finesse and respect for tradition.”
- Address Shop 411-413, 4/F, LANDMARK ATRIUM, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2522 2148
- Price range HKD 400-800 (INR 2,293-4,586)
- Opening hours Daily from 12 pm to 2:30 pm, and 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Hong Kong restaurants might marinate the duck and serve it pre-carved with bones, focusing on a flavour profile from infused herbs, while traditional Peking duck is unmarinated and carved tableside.
For an authentic and high-end Peking duck experience, try Mott 32 or Shatin 18, with Mott 32’s famous 42-day Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck being a popular choice.
Yes, many high-end restaurants in Hong Kong offer tableside carving for Peking duck, a practice seen as a dramatic and traditional part of the dining experience.
While there are many famous Peking duck restaurants, Peking Garden is widely considered a world-renowned and classic choice, known for its crispy skin and succulent meat.
Written By
Fashila Kanakka
Born in India and raised in Hong Kong, Fashila’s always down to explore a new neighbourhood and tick ..Read More
