Is Beijing's Michelin Star Peking Duck Worth it? Quanjude Qing Dynasty Duck 全聚德

Out of all the Chinese foods out there, Peking duck is one of the most well known and high-end Chinese dishes. It requires a meticulous preparation process, including blowing the duck skin up with air like a balloon to separate it and get a nice crispy skin. There are loads of places in China to get an authentic Peking duck, but is the best Beijing roast duck in China, at least by reputation, worth it?
In this video we visit Quanjude Peking duck restaurant, which is a Peking duck house that has been around for more than 150 years. It has been around for so long that the Qing dynasty was in power for the first 50 years of its business. Not only is the Quanjude Imperial era duck famous from a historical standpoint though, it is also critically regarded as one of the best Peking Duck restaurants in Beijing. It holds a Michelin star and its current prices reflect its newfound prestige, though its price tag of $20 for half a Peking roast duck is still modest compared to most Western restaurants.
The higher prices have led many local Beijing patrons to declare Quanjude overrated and a tourist trap, but we are here to find out if the best Peking duck in Beijing is also its most historical and its most critically acclaimed. Is Michelin star Quanjude overrated? Or is Quanjude legit? And is Quanjude still one of the best restaurants in Beijing and one of the best restaurants in China? Join us on this China food vlog as we find out!
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Restaurant Deets:
QUANJUDE (Many locations)
(Original Location):
China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 前门大街30号 邮政编码: 100051

[@jz4057]

I was born in Beijing. I grew up eating at Quanjude. That picture you referred to as “walnuts” are actually Duck hearts. It’s one of their signature dish called “Fire braised Duck Hearts” (火爆鸭心） There is no place outside Beijing where you can have real Peking Duck. The way it was prepared and baked over open wood fire, impossible to copy outside Beijing.

[@uaeats]

My mistake! Thanks for the clarifications and information!

[@Herbie-Went-Bananas-Then-Split]

Oh yes, duck hearts. Here in the UK, duck tongues are also popular and considered a delicacy in some restaurants.

[@jz4057]

@@uaeats you are welcome. Thanks for spreading the word and happy to see that you enjoyed the signature dish from home town. I love Peking duck and wish there were more authentic places outside Beijing so more people could be introduced to it.

[@ptg01]

I am still confused between real PEKING DUCK vs just regular and still good Cantonese roast duck sliced and served as Peking Duck... ? Is there REAL Peking Duck in the USA ?

[@jz4057]

@@ptg01Peking duck is different from Cantonese roast duck, which is commonly available in the US. Authentic Peking duck requires a lengthy and complicated preparation process for up to two days. A specialized commercial kitchen and chef with decades of experience is needed to make this dish. In order for the skin to crisp to perfection the duck is basted, dried, then blown to separate the skin and meat, tied, kept in the fridge over night...(all under strict temperature and time control). Finally it is baked in a specially made oven with wood chips from a specific combination of fruit trees such as apple, pear, jujube.... In short, you can't have the authentic version unless you go to Beijing. However there are generic versions in some NORTHERN (not Cantonese which is southern China) Chinese restaurants in the US like Cali and New York.

[@g.davidtenenbaum8563]

If you liked Quanjude, you will definitely like the nearby vegetarian restaurant, Gong DeLin, which holds a Michelin honour . They opened in 1922 and their presentations are fit for an emperor. The tastes will blow you away. One of my favorites when I lived in Beijing. Good luck if you marry your fiance. Beijingers really are the happiest people and make great companions for life.

[@uaeats]

Thanks for the rec!

[@g.davidtenenbaum8563]

@@uaeats Hope you get to experience the unique Chinese culinary masterpiece of Gong DeLin where art and palate-pleasing creations become one.

[@jz4057]

@@uaeats although Gongdelin is unique and artistic, it’s not for everyone. It’s vegetarian and they use lots of soybean products. So not for GF people nor meat eaters. Also Gongdelin is over priced. It supposed to be a restaurant where you can experience the food of the Buddhist monks. However, they made everything extra fancy to charge more money, which contradicts the Buddhists humble way of life. But background story aside it’s definitely something worth trying at least once and decide for yourself.

[@sunoolee9467]

Great to see you travelling abroad! Would love to see more videos in other countries as well!

[@uaeats]

Yes I hope to visit more countries for the channel someday!

[@craigjohnson8279]

This video is awesome on so many levels. Nice to see you traveling the world. The people, the culture, the food, it's all fantastic! 😀

[@OrbitalTrails]

Yeah eating dogs great culture

[@uaeats]

Glad you liked the video!

[@jeffs.4313]

Well done UA! Thank you for the review and enjoy your time there. Looking forward to your next video.

[@uaeats]

Thanks!

[@KLee-Canada]

Peking duck is one of my favourites! After your review, I'm thinking of flying to Beijing to try this! 😋

[@uaeats]

It's quite tasty!

[@dereksbooks]

Vancouver has a Michelin star location, and it's quite amazing. The price for the duck is also very reasonable.

[@ual60515]

Awesome video as usual my friend!! When do we get a Tina reveal by the way?? :)

[@mikeriggs3891]

Awesome vid! I really enjoyed the intro where you showed the surrounding area and walk in.

[@uaeats]

I had a lot more footage too that I wasn't able to use. Now I wish I had included more!

[@johnkovalicky3389]

Great review I absolutely love Peking Duck ! Michelin star or not I'll take two please . I'm a native Jersey guy used to go to New York Chinatown quite often through the 80s and early 90s just one of many restaurants we used to go to was the Peking duck house on Mott Street we used to be able to get a whole Peking Duck for I think between 20 and $25 just checked out their website they are still in business wonderful menu but the prices are outrageous $79 for a whole Peking Duck and not that much cheaper in LA . Anyhow thanks for sharing your experience in Beijing❤❤

[@Ryguyhaan]

They’re pancakes. Hoisin sauce on the bottom of the pancake, duck, scallions, and cucumber. Boom. Delicious.

[@joeychan6300]

Oh yes! A Peking duck video! I hope you could compare Quanjude with Bianyifang, Datong and Duck de Chine for the varieties of how Peking duck is served and prepared.

[@xc7525]

Are those different restaurants? How is the duck prepared differently if you don’t mind me asking 😊

[@joeychan6300]

@@xc7525All are different duck restaurants in Beijing at different price points. The ducks are prepared differently and greatly differ by their fat content.

[@uaeats]

Next time I'm in Beijing I plan to do Bianyifang. Not enough time this time!

[@Spanishfutbol2010]

Compare it to Li Qun roast duck!

[@Sc9cvsd]

​@@xc7525probably mostly the same, I ate at siji minfu in Beijing it was sooo good. The color was more red than this one

[@yurimelo834]

I went to this place and gotta say that was awesome, thank you for showing us it. Btw a advice for those who’s thinking on going: The place opens at 11 and usually there’s a line for it, so get early and the Quanjude restaurant has two spots, the Qianmen 30 shown at the video is a small place, for you to get to the place with lots of tables just like he showed, you gotta go behind this 1st place, you just have to the first left after the No 30 and then you’ll see.

[@RaymondMullen-t9j]

Sorry My Man , had to catch You in reruns...That Duck looks out of BOUNDS!!!! That is a Meal in a Life time!!The Deserts look like Art ...Your JERSEY has Kick in '''' Just enjoy ... You Two enjoy Your Travels and be Safe...

[@patrickwong4824]

Yes, I ask for duck, and we are getting duck. 👍👍 WTD!

[@100185261]

love your video, thanks for bringing us to Beijing !

[@uaeats]

You're welcome!

[@airforceone6523]

I just recently found your channel. I watch your videos here and there. The more i watch the more i enjoy it. But not enough to subscribe. Maybe alittle more watching i will subscribe. I want you to get better food restaurants.

[@SV-lk3ki]

another great video.

[@stephenfisher3721]

Didn't the Beatles write a song about the restaurant Quan Jude, don't make it bad. Lol

[@andrefl4641]

Wow! You’re international now ✈️ we love it

[@natehiger410]

OMG you are in Beijing! I lived in Beijing for 5 years miss there so much.

[@uaeats]

I had a great time!

[@ramnandwani7319]

I ate there also when i was in beijing .the taste was just ok thats i why i told my chinese guide i believe all the best chinese chefs must have left china during the cultural revolt of mao .

[@mr.lovekat7772]

This video was epic! UA, just keep doing you. I love when you are really impressed with something you eat and you make these intense facial expressions. To me that's like your personal trademark and it makes me want to seek whatever it is that you're talking about out, no joke! Now I definitely have to go to Beijing forreal, haha.

[@uaeats]

Glad you like my vids! Haha yeah I hear I can be a real open book.

[@stephenfisher3721]

I have been enjoying your videos for some time now. You have good opinions and so enjoy the food. It is interesting to see the places in the New York area near where you live and on occasion to other cities in the United States. But I did not expect The People's Republic of China, what a surprise. Are there going to be more international videos?

[@uaeats]

I'm glad you're liking the content! And I will continue to focus on NYC/NJ area videos as a home base, but I hope to travel for more vids if the channel continues to grow

[@mr.cookie7308]

I am loving your channel and I am bingeing on it the past few days...pretty awesome content.

[@Pintexx]

Really cool how you’re going from NYC to LA and then taking that massive leap to China doing these restaurant reviews. I didn’t expect this video at all but you delivered and it was really entertaining! On a side note, do you feel like a foreigner in China since you’re from East coast America (Philly?) or do you feel like you fit in since your family is originally from China?

[@eggheadegghead]

My guess is he is visiting Beijing because his girlfriend, lol. Just a guess.....

[@Pintexx]

@@eggheadegghead yeah he does these reviews on the side he definitely didn’t go all the way to China just for reviewing food

[@uaeats]

Good question. I would say when walking on the street I blend in very well. But when I am with family and friends and need to speak a lot of Mandarin, I feel like a foreigner due to speaking a second language and cultural differences

[@2Wheels_NYC]

I would most certainly try this spot! Everything looks excellent! I may just have to do Peking Duck this weekend, and living in Flushing, I have a decent selection. Thanks for another great review!

[@uaeats]

If you wound up getting it, I hope it was delicious!

[@2Wheels_NYC]

@@uaeats Shanghai You Garden in Bayside! Excellent!

[@BigBickBenedict_de_Texas]

its essentially a Qing era Duck Dynasty

[@Koreanfood101]

I want to taste the culture and food of other countries❤

[@uaeats]

lol

[@FoodJapan]

Agreed! Went in 2005 and was a great experience. 2 of us got a whole duck and we were stuffed. Couldn’t get anything else.

[@organizedchaos4559]

I meant a whole duck is a lot so I’m not surprised you’re stuffed

[@uaeats]

Sounds like an awesome time!

[@songsenkei]

15:50 Those are called donkey rolls. Classic Beijing snack/dessert. The ones here are mini ones! And it is not red bean powder. It is soybean powder. The yellow soybean flour sprinkled over the pastry makes it look like a donkey rolling on the loess.

[@NickKravitz]

Tina sounds like she's from Kansas not Beijing.

[@rooseveltjulien743]

Thank You UA

[@joeysantiago787]

This is the video that I realized that UA is American and not really Chinese

[@anthonylarocco6763]

What sugar does, is it cuts the acidity, Which is excellent just top notch!❤❤

[@OrbitalTrails]

English please

[@anthonylarocco6763]

@@OrbitalTrails Who the hell are you?

[@edreid7872]

Your first reaction threw me..I thought you hated it..😂

[@benjaminstarks4071]

UA is awesome!

[@onedollah]

I don't know why but your inability to wrap the Peking duck effectively bothers me 😂. It's like seeing an Asian who can't use chop stick

[@sundaybest27]

That looks amazing.... And you're right, I don't think I've ever seen an Asian restaurant so orante here in the states since my childhood back in the late 80's or 90's.

[@supremeenlightenedtramp1080]

I'd absolutely love to eat and at quanjude .

[@XBadger1]

The one place you aren't wearing a mask in china ;) you are best reviewer on KZbin. Just had to give you a hard time

[@yaowsers77]

$20?! If be eating it every day!

[@highwon]

Could you review Döner places like Döner Haus in NYC's East Village?

[@TheSanityMachine33]

from my channel to yours, thanks for taking us along and showing us this! Amazing... wow.

[@uaeats]

Thank you! Glad you liked the vid!

[@blardymunggas6884]

Wow UA is going international. Love it. A million subs soon🙏🏻

[@tested123]

good thing you caught the end of that live screech

[@Aaronschinaguide]

I went there in February 2013 and it was 110 RMB if I remember correctly for an individual portion of duck. Not expensive considering how good the duck tastes.

[@ubu852]

If you are still there try the night market. Interesting food selection.

[@Randy-vw6jr]

I tried the branch in Tokyo so not sure how it compares to Beijing and it was just ok.Nice interior but overpriced a bit of a “corporate” vibe.

[@TUBESTEAKNIG]

It was decent, but definitely not as good as I was expecting. I felt like you could get similar duck at almost any restaurant. Da Dong is quite a bit better IMO, although obviously more expensive. I went to the Quanjude in Tiananmen Plaza.

[@ChetDonnelly1985]

That's awesome UA that you went to China you're a world traveler like me brother I love Asia I'm in Thailand right now and I love the food in this country.

[@ageoflove1980]

It really looks like a very fun experience, almost playful. With that artist and the way they prepare your duck tableside, and the relaxing casual atmosphere. I would really just go there with friends to have a good time.

[@euroschmau]

I lived in Beijing for a year back in the olden days of 2004-5. That whole Qianmen Street didn't exist, it was entirely built new in a faux traditional style for the 2008 Olympics. Quanjude's original location was in Wanfujing, it might be there still or they relocated their flagship location to Qianmen. Quanjude has many satellite restaurants in the suburbs, including the suburb I lived in, Changping. I ate at both their main location and the one in Changping. The one in Changping was by far better in every way because it was only locals eating there. It was of course at a fraction of the price as well.

[@nicokyriak]

The singer is great. It will certainly affect the appetite of customers and brings a wonderful Chinese atmosphere to the restaurant. "Don't Shoot the Piano Player" definitely won't apply.

[@Herbie-Went-Bananas-Then-Split]

How fab to see you in Beijing, UA. We call those 'tortillas' pancakes here in the UK, as duck with pancakes is a common order in Chinese restaurants/take away, with long slices of cucumber and spring onion, as well as hoisin sauce. The restaurant you reviewed is next level special.

[@uaeats]

Interesting that duck with pancakes is common in the UK! I'll need to visit sometime

[@Herbie-Went-Bananas-Then-Split]

@@uaeats If you do and include a visit in the NW of England, come stay with your partner as it would be a pleasure to meet you both and cook you breakfast - I own/run a guesthouse which gets great reviews. Even supermarkets here sell a duck/pancake kit for people to have at home as they're so popular here. Duck with pancakes is on the menu in the vast majority of asian based restaurants/takeaways as an appetiser.

[@et5222]

Quanjude is awesome, so are several other of the larger duck restaurants. I've found the older places with lots of diners and a few locations have the secret ingredient: they buy enough ducks to get the best quality ducks from the suppliers. That's the key. You made an awesome video with fun commentary. I love how you referred to the Mandarin pancake as a tortilla. If you stack two or three together and fry with some cheese you get a passable quesadilla.

[@bakarogers7146]

UA, I like all of your videos, but this is the first time I could actually taste the food in my mouth while watching. There's really nothing like crisp, fatty peking duck with crepes and sauce out there- once you've had it once, you'll probably remember it for a while. Now I kind of want to go out for some over the weekend. And I almost did a spit take over my keyboard when I saw the price. Yeah, I would definitely not get half a peking duck in the USA for $20 where I live lol.

[@uaeats]

Glad you liked the vid! And yes the price was very reasonable. And this was even considered a very expensive place in China

[@katrinlausch3078]

Actually there are many locations and some are recommended in the Michelin guide but it is not awarded any star at all sorry

[@lesliesawyer4640]

I loved this video. This restaurant really had an upscale more believable Qing dynasty interior, although obviously modern lighting fixtures and HVAC compromise the ceilings which I assume in the old days would have been high, since without air conditioning they hoped to get the hot air to rise away from the people below. I'm always impressed at how much UA learns on the fly, a true sign of an intelligent person with good mental habits. Usually what is called Peking Duck in the USA has a darker, glossier appearance, which might be considered an adulteration of this Peking Duck made in Beijing.

[@opoeto88]

Many years since i had this. The Beijing roast duck style, is very different from the ones you would find outside of China which most of them follows Hong Kong style where you would find the skin not as fatty and much thinner. Both styles are very good and enjoyable. Quanjude is definitely worth it to try imo, but my favourite is still Dadong

[@uaeats]

For sure. Though I still really enjoy the Hong Kong style duck. Maybe I have nostalgia bias as it's common in US chinatowns

[@surfnbruin]

Hey the skin is the main event in Peking duck, the meat is the sideshow!!

[@jenniferforest5400]

What a great video and congratulations on your engagement 🎉

[@ypw510]

Some would call those crepes or pancakes, but they can be the same style used for mu shu. Many places in North America will serve Peking duck with steamed buns that are sliced before steaming where the duck is inserted like a hot dog.

[@unknown183]

You definitely can't eat that everyday. it'll clog up them arteries quicker than you can blink. That crispy fat is so great though. Crackling is lethal but so good.

[@chuckywang]

I think that yellow rubber ducky shaped dessert you ate last was wandouhuang, which is made from peas! Did it taste like peas? It's a famous snack in Beijing!

[@uaeats]

You might be right. It wasn't for me though but just my opinion

[@HeatherNyikos]

Thank you! That was really interesting !

[@lamesbond0077]

Thanks 4 the peek into peking duck and Chinese architecture

[@MarcoFD]

interesting one. how do you like bami and babi pangang?

[@JenHope118]

Very good as it is tender and flavorful. I have eaten it twice while in Beijing. At one time i had it at the Duck restaurant main building at the outskirt of the city. Must try. Unforgettable. I cannot taste it outside of China .

[@natehiger410]

Based on my experience, Quanjude does not have the best duck, I prefer for Sijiminfu much better, it’s cheaper and tastes better.

[@demanager0412]

I've always wondered what peking duck was like, good job on your vids bro!

[@uaeats]

Glad you liked the vid!

[@myronyoshioka8742]

PLEASE Try some other peking duck places for comparison

[@uaeats]

Next time!

[@paullawson2830]

What does "UA" stand for?

[@normandea]

Nice review! The duck looks fantastic! But that background music on your videos...

[@nightlyraider]

ducks are made to float... the chicken should never match a duck in oil skin crackling unless something is wrong.

[@exas4791]

Peking duck skin, cucumber, ginger, scallions plus that sauce in that rice wrap would be perfect without that sugar.

[@Rubycita]

You have a fiancé?? Nooooooo, I was going to divorce my husband for you. Love your videos, I think you are funny 👍

[@alainlalonde]

Is the tortilla a rice based wrap? My Vietnamese/Chinese neighbor who's an excellent chef uses something like that looks like that. He wets it a little bit and when you wrap it, it binds really well.

[@JT-yj3tr]

The “tortilla” is wheat based. Beijing and other northern Chinese areas eat wheat things as they grow wheat and not rice in those areas. I know you would still see rice in Beijing and northern areas but wheat is ingrained in those areas from long ago. Rice is more of a southern thing because they grow rice in those areas such as Canton. Hence your Vietnamese neighbour would tend to eat more rice due to the southern Chinese influence (the Vietnamese wrap is similar to Cantonese food like “Chung fan”), plus Vietnam being in the south has more ability to grow rice than wheat.

[@mk17173n]

You should clean your baseball hat as it has alot of fuzz on it.

[@lijon912]

I believe people call that Wrap Chinese Pancake.

[@TheSanityMachine33]

UA, I think you may be my favorite Chinese person (and of course, as you know, there's no shortage of Chinese!) at the moment... on KZbin for sure... because of your reactions to food. :))

[@NancyChen53]

So jealous right now. I need to get some Peking duck asap 😋

[@uaeats]

There are probably some good ones in LA right?

[@NancyChen53]

@@uaeats I've never looked! But you've inspired us to seek them out haha

[@Drownedinblood]

Nice touch that they actually wrote the name in the traditional right to left format.

[@dawsonje]

That live music sounded like a dying cat 😂😂😂

[@peterscrace3530]

Until recently we had a Quanjude here in Melbourne, the only Quanjude outside China.

[@sfguy_2k22]

so the napkin goes on the table nd not on ur lap?🤦‍♂️

[@Tracy81258]

The BEST Peking duck restaurants will take the remainder of the carcass and create an amazing fried rice dish as well as a soup as the full meal and providing the complete duck experience.

[@freddywong5234]

Been there when i was in Beijing and also Melbourne store is well.

[@DaGao-i4x]

Thank u UA for this episode. I am from China and I miss the Peking ducks a lot! Just a small thing that the dish 4:44 should be duck hearts instead of walnuts :)

[@uaeats]

Oops!

[@genekelly8467]

Thanks for your excellent video..I get to travel to China! Alas..I cannot eat duck (I'm allergic to it).

[@popinjay3000]

Just had this yesterday, absolutely delicious but very very fatty! could not finish it, opposite to this place is a great dumpling place as well!

[@dwzaphod]

I ate there in 2018 and there is NO WAY it is Michelin star caliber. The duck was good but it was better in my hotel restaurant (although to be fair that was the best restaurant I’ve eaten at in China). There is a Michelin star restaurant near time square (China cafe I think) that is way better.

[@OrbitalTrails]

Ho Lee Phuc you're in China!

[@kokoth]

I'd love to go here and there is one in my town but its owned by the Chinese government, cant do it.

[@andydondy6444]

Gotta admit the Chinese makes the tastiest dishes in the world. 🤗🤗🤗 Any restaurant no doubt

[@demanager0412]

''Dont say Kwan Jew''d'', bru ur crackin me up xD

[@notscaredboochie]

Cool!

[@kchoong6663]

Good to see you liking Chinese food, esp for a South Korean ??!

[@michaelzheng6231]

Can i order a duck to eat alone?

[@Sc9cvsd]

Its a lot and you probably don't want to order other dishes but assuming you have a good appetite you absolutely can eat a whole pekking duck by yourself

[@findingpeacedailyfpd6064]

💜

[@epsilon9000]

Legend!

[@witchboy89]

Ooo they have english menus too??