The struggle is so real when eating a Peking duck pancake – meat to cucumber ratio, how many slivers of spring onion and how much sweet bean sauce to add, the best folding method (does a burrito tuck work?), with mad concentration needed in order to ensure it doesn’t fall apart on your plate.
Practise, gastronauts, makes perfect when dining on this famous Beijing-origin Chinese delicacy. Here are seven restaurants where you can refine your Peking duck-wrapping skills in Hong Kong.
The best Peking duck restaurants in Hong Kong
Sha Tin 18
For gamey flavours, Sha Tin 18 is very much worth the trek up to Sha Tin (more specifically, University station on East Rail Line) for what many argue to be the best Peking duck in town. Nestled on the fourth floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel, the Peking duck here is served first with a sprinkle of sugar, second with garlic and ginger and finally sliced to enjoy with your pancakes. The service and five-star ambience make the experience truly unbeatable.
Sha Tin 18, 4/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234, book here
Peking Garden
With not two, not three, but nine locations around Hong Kong, it is safe to say you are never too far away from nursing that Peking duck craving at Peking Garden. This elegant restaurant is a great choice owing to its more relaxed environment for tourists and those new to the art of Peking duck. The chef team’s use younger ducks to promise a less fatty and more meaty bite, accompanied with the traditional cucumbers, scallions, pancakes, and Hoisin sauce.
Peking Garden, multiples locations across Hong Kong
Zither Garden
A Peking duck specialist in Hong Kong, Zither Garden operates four locations across Hong Kong with a menu packing the wood-smoked bird, among other top Beijing and Huaiyang dishes. The roasted Peking duck is served with a housemade honey apricot sauce, Peking sauce, melon, cucumber, and leeks.
Zither Garden, multiple locations across Hong Kong
Mott 32
Although primarily a Cantonese restaurant, Mott 32 specialises in signature Beijing dishes such as Peking duck, with its own contemporary take on the bird. Here, the Peking duck is applewood-roasted and served up on three different plates: one that’s just the skin, one of meat and one that is a combination of the two. Mott 32 is one of the more expensive options about, but the dining experience is lavish, complemented by a glam interior of tastefully selected Chinese paintings and silkscreen walls.
Mott 32, B/F, Standard Chartered Building, 4–4A Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 2885 8688, book here
Hutong
At Hutong, the spectacle of its sweeping skyline vistas is matched with their signature flaming Peking duck, served tableside and cut precisely for a taste of each part of the bird. Set alight with alcohol, the Sichuan-spice-marinated Peking duck is best enjoyed at night when the restaurant lights up with the flames. A sweet fermented flour sauce is served to match the strong gamey notes.
Hutong, 18/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3428 8342, book here
Forbidden Duck
Founded by chef Alvin Leung, you know this Causeway Bay joint is worth the visit and money. The mad Demon Chef serves traditional Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong delicacies with eclectic twists. Their Peking duck is served not only in traditional Beijing-style, paired up with hoisin sauce, cucumbers, scallions, pickles, and melon, but a minced version in Portuguese, Korean, and Mongolian styles.
Forbidden Duck, Shop 1001B, 10/F, Times Square, Causeway Bay, 2882 8600, book here
Forbidden Duck, 2/F, Berkshire House, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay, 3579 8179, book here
