When people talk about food in Beijing, one dish inevitably rises above the rest — Beijing Roasted Duck (Peking Duck). Crispy skin, succulent meat, fragrant pancakes, and a ritualistic style of carving have turned this dish into one of China’s most celebrated culinary exports. For centuries, roasted duck has been served in imperial kitchens, banquet halls, and family gatherings, evolving into a proud symbol of Beijing’s food culture.
Besides famous long-standing names like Quanjude (全聚德)，Bianyifang (便宜坊), DaDong (大董), Xihe Yayuan (义和雅苑), Dayali (大鸭梨), Yulin Roast Duck (玉林烤鸭), Ya Wang (鸭王). One brand that has steadily gained immense popularity among locals and travelers alike is Siji Minfu (四季民福).
The Rise of Siji Minfu
Founded in Beijing in the early 2000s, Siji Minfu built its reputation on a simple philosophy: traditional techniques, quality ingredients, and consistent execution. Unlike some luxury duck restaurants that lean towards fine-dining prices, Siji Minfu positions itself as a high-quality yet accessible option, making it a favourite among families, tourists, and office crowds.
The brand’s popularity eventually crossed borders. In 2024, when Siji Minfu entered Singapore through a partnership with Jumbo Group, opening its first outlet at Resorts World Sentosa. This marked a major milestone for the brand and signaled strong confidence in Southeast Asia’s appetite for authentic Beijing-style roast duck.
Our Visit at Qianmen Street, Beijing
Due to the above reason, during our recent trip to Beijing, we decided to visit Siji Minfu’s outlet at Qianmen Street (前门大街). Even though it was a weekday and non-peak period, we were surprised to receive a queue number 100+ positions away, with an estimated waiting time of about one hour.
Fortunately, Qianmen Street is surrounded by attractions, heritage buildings, souvenir shops, and snack stalls, making the wait feel much shorter than expected. We returned when there were around ten numbers left before ours — perfectly timed.
Stepping out of the lift, a large traditional roasting oven greeted us, with golden ducks hanging inside and customers waiting patiently to be called. In a thoughtful touch similar to Haidilao’s hospitality style, staff offered small snacks and drinks while guests waited. Service felt organised, calm, and efficient.
Orders were taken by a waitress (no QR scanning), and roughly 15 minutes later, our food arrived with polished presentation.
The Star: Beijing Roasted Duck
The whole roasted duck (RMB269/pce) arrived beautifully carved into glossy slices, with a separate plate of thin pancakes, julienned cucumber, spring onion, and sweet bean sauce
Skin: Ultra-crispy, thin, and light, with a gentle crackle when bitten. There was minimal excess fat, making it indulgent yet not greasy.
Meat: Tender, juicy, and naturally sweet, without heavy seasoning masking the duck’s flavour.
Aroma: Subtle smokiness from the roasting process, clean and inviting.
Wrapped in a warm pancake with sauce and vegetables, each bite felt balanced — savoury, sweet, fresh, and rich all at once.
How It Compares to Singapore & Malaysia
We have tried several Peking duck versions in Singapore and Malaysia, including hotel Chinese restaurants and specialty Chinese chains. Many are good, but Siji Minfu’s version stands out for its consistency and purity of flavour.
- In Singapore, some Peking ducks lean towards heavier seasoning or thicker skin.
- In Malaysia, certain versions are generous in portion but slightly oilier.
Siji Minfu strikes a middle ground: crisp yet light skin, clean duck flavour, and refined carving. The experience feels closer to what one imagines a classic Beijing-style roast duck should be.
Siji Minfu may not be the oldest roast duck brand in Beijing, but it has successfully carved a strong reputation through reliability, value, and craftsmanship. If you are in Beijing and want an authentic, crowd-approved Beijing Roasted Duck experience, Siji Minfu is well worth the queue.
For us, it remains one of the most satisfying roast duck experiences we have had — not just in Beijing, but across Singapore and Malaysia as well.
