Shanghai's Best Peking Duck Spots

Siji Minfu

Hey there, fellow explorers!

I'm Nihao Liliriri, your go-to Greater China travel blogger! 😆

When you think of Shanghai, your mind might instantly jump to

xiao long bao or hotpot, and while those are incredible,

you might be surprised to learn that Shanghai also boasts some seriously amazing Peking duck restaurants!

Shanghai has always had its share of fantastic Peking duck spots,

but lately, famous Beijing brands have opened up shop here,

making Peking duck a must-try on many travelers' itineraries.

This time, I'm excited to share my personal review of Siji Minfu,

compare it to another popular choice, Yan Shanghai,

and even suggest some perfect side dishes to complete your meal! 😆

Peking Duck: The Essentials

Peking duck is truly one of China's most iconic imperial dishes.

It originated as a delicacy for the Ming and Qing imperial courts,

and its defining characteristic is how the duck is roasted in a special oven until the skin is incredibly crispy.

When prepared by a true master,

the skin is shatteringly crisp, almost like a delicate cracker,

melting in your mouth

while the tender, succulent meat remains perfectly moist.

Typically, you'll find it served with thin pancakes,

slices of the roasted duck,

crisp cucumber,

fresh scallions,

and a rich hoisin sauce –

a combination that's truly irresistible and wonderfully addictive! 😆

In China, it's quite popular

to enjoy the crispy skin on its own first,

or even dip it in a little sugar – a surprising twist that many adore!

Many specialty Peking duck restaurants even offer to prepare

a second dish, like a stir-fry or soup, using the leftover duck meat after you've enjoyed the main event.

In Shanghai,

you'll find a wide array of options, from authentic Peking duck specialty restaurants

to upscale Shanghainese fine dining establishments.

It's truly a joy to pick the perfect spot that matches your travel style!

Siji Minfu vs. Yan Shanghai: A Culinary Showdown!

Siji Minfu (四季民福) is

a renowned Peking duck brand that hails directly from Beijing.

It's particularly celebrated for its signature crispy skin and

is incredibly popular among locals across China.

On the flip side, Yan Shanghai (宴上海) leans towards a more refined,

upscale Shanghainese fine dining experience.

It's a brand recognized by the Michelin Guide,

and the overall ambiance is decidedly more serene and luxurious.

Siji Minfu offers that authentic, no-frills Peking duck experience,

while Yan Shanghai felt more like an elegant, multi-course Chinese fine dining affair in a beautiful setting.

Making Your Reservation

What's fantastic is that both establishments can be accessed and booked

via the Chinese app Dianping (大众点评)!

Since popular eateries in China often have notoriously long wait times,

finding a restaurant where you can reserve or join a virtual queue in advance is an absolute lifesaver.

It made planning my travel itinerary so much easier.

In particular, for Siji Minfu, I could queue up using Dianping,

but there wasn't a reservation button within Dianping.

So, I asked my hotel concierge to make a reservation for me before visiting.

For Yexia Kitchen (예상하이), reservations are possible through Dianping,

I've written about the method in another post,

so please check out the shortcut to the Yexia Kitchen post at the very bottom!

The Siji Minfu branch near the Bund is famous for its long waits,

but the Qipu Road Joy City (七浦路 大悦城) branch that I visited

didn't have as long a wait as I expected.

So, personally, I highly recommend this branch!👍🏻

In the same building, there are Chinese cosmetic brands

like INTO YOU and Judydoll stores,

so it was great for some shopping before or after the meal.

If you're someone who loves shopping in Shanghai,

this is a really great route to plan into your itinerary.

Siji Minfu Peking Duck Meal Review

In Korea, to enjoy Peking duck, you usually need to reserve at least two days in advance because of the roasting time, don't you?

But it seems that in China, Peking duck specialty restaurants always have a high demand,

so that wasn't the case here.

We arrived at Siji Minfu right on time for the reservation made by our hotel!

And what was surprising was that not only tourists,

but also many locals were there.

It definitely felt like a popular restaurant frequented by many Chinese people.

For three people, the menu I ordered included:

half a Peking duck, stir-fried string beans, Kung Pao chicken, and steamed vegetables.

The basic side dishes came out first.

Travel Tip!

In most restaurants in China, corkage is free!

So if you buy your drinks at a supermarket or convenience store and bring them along,

you can enjoy them at a much lower price!

And if you tell the restaurant staff,

they'll set up a *bunjugi* (분주기), a special decanter (they say it enhances the aroma) and

glasses for you!

Cheers to all the liquor lovers – China awaits! 🥂

China's Free Corkage: Setting up *Bunjugi* for Baijiu

A staff member came to carve the duck right at our table,

and watching the process was quite entertaining.

For the first bite, they recommended trying just the skin,

and it was incredibly crispy! 😆

There was also a way to eat it by dipping it in sugar,

and at first I thought, 'Sugar with duck?'

but as I ate it, I found it surprisingly delicious.

And of course, the main event was the pancake combination.

You wrap the duck meat, cucumber, green onions, and sweet sauce in a thin pancake, and this combination was truly addictive – I just couldn't stop eating it!

The other dishes we ordered were also quite satisfying.

Personally, I'd recommend the

stir-fried string beans and Kung Pao chicken.

The stir-fried string beans had a delightful crunch,

making them perfect to eat alongside the Peking duck,

and the Kung Pao chicken had a slightly spicy and sweet flavor profile,

which was just right for enjoying between bites 😆

And we also ordered steamed vegetables and fuzhu (tofu skin),

which was great for balancing out the richer, oilier dishes.

Fuzhu, especially, is something I find myself eating surprisingly often when I go to China,

and its savory flavor made it a perfect side dish.

They also provide a complimentary broth, similar to chicken soup, and honestly, this one was a bit polarizing.

I personally detected a slight chicken-y, almost gamey, scent,

but my friend really enjoyed it.

Despite that, overall, it was a meal that made me understand why this place is so popular.

If you're in Shanghai and craving an authentic Chinese culinary experience,

I definitely recommend adding a Beijing duck restaurant to your itinerary! 😆

+

Hyatt on the Bund Stay Review: Booking a room with an Oriental Pearl Tower view in Shanghai for around ~$150!

https://www.trvlogue.com/ko/hyatt-on-the-bund-shanghai-review

If you enjoyed this post,

please give it a like and leave a comment! ♥

New followers are always welcome! 😍