How can I make a reservation at Siji Minfu in Shanghai?

You can queue up through the Chinese app Dianping, but there is no direct reservation button. If you want to guarantee your visit, we recommend asking your hotel concierge to make a reservation for you.

Which branch should I visit to avoid the long wait at the Siji Minfu Bund (Waitan) branch?

We recommend visiting the Qipu Road Joy City branch. The waiting time is relatively short, and there are INTO YOU and Judydoll stores in the building, making it a great place to shop before or after your meal.

What are some good dishes to order with half a Peking duck for a group of three at Siji Minfu?

We recommend ordering stir-fried green beans, Kung Pao chicken, and steamed vegetables. The crunchy green beans and sweet and spicy Kung Pao chicken pair well with the Peking duck, while the steamed vegetables balance out the greasiness.

Can I bring my own alcohol when visiting Siji Minfu?

Yes, Siji Minfu offers free corkage, so you can bring alcohol purchased from a supermarket or convenience store. If you ask the restaurant, they will provide a decanter and glasses for free to enhance the aroma of your drink.

Siji Minfu Shanghai Review 2026: Best Peking Duck | TRVLOGUE

Shanghai's Ultimate Peking Duck Hotspot

Siji Minfu

Hey there, fellow travelers!

I'm Nihao Lyliri, your go-to guide for exploring the Chinese-speaking world! 😆

Whenever people plan a trip to Shanghai,

most immediately think of xiaolongbao or hot pot,

but the city’s Peking duck scene is surprisingly world-class!

While Shanghai has always had its share of local duck spots,

legendary brands from Beijing have recently taken over the city,

making a Peking duck feast an essential stop on almost every traveler's itinerary.

In this post, I’ll share my honest review of my visit to Siji Minfu,

compare it to another popular favorite, Ye Shanghai,

and share the best side dishes to round out your meal! 😆

What You'll Discover in This Post

✔️ Peking Duck 101: The Basics

✔️ Siji Minfu VS Ye Shanghai: Face-off

✔️ Siji Minfu Peking Duck Dining Review

Peking Duck 101: The Basics

Peking duck is one of China’s most celebrated imperial dishes.

Originally reserved for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties,

its defining feature is the incredibly crispy skin achieved by roasting the duck in a specialized oven.

When you visit a top-tier spot,

the skin is as light and crispy as a chip,

melting in your mouth instantly,

while the meat underneath remains wonderfully juicy and tender.

Typically, you wrap pieces of duck,

the meat,

cucumber,

scallions,

and sweet bean sauce inside a thin, warm pancake,

and this combination is seriously addictive! 😆

If you want to eat like a local,

try eating the crispy skin on its own

or dipping it in white sugar—it's a total game-changer.

Also, at specialty restaurants,

ordering a whole duck often means they'll use the leftover carcass to cook up a savory stir-fry or a rich soup for you.

In Shanghai,

you'll find everything from authentic, traditional Beijing-style joints

to upscale Shanghainese fine dining establishments,

giving you plenty of exciting options to match your personal travel vibe.

Siji Minfu VS Ye Shanghai: A Comparison

Siji Minfu (四季民福) is

an iconic Peking duck brand that originated in Beijing.

Famous for its exceptionally crispy skin,

it's a massive hit among local foodies.

On the flip side, Ye Shanghai (예상하이) leans into

a high-end Shanghainese fine dining vibe.

It's featured in the Michelin Guide,

offering a much more serene, upscale, and sophisticated atmosphere.

Siji Minfu gives you that raw, authentic, dedicated duck-feast experience,

while Ye Shanghai feels like a classy, elegant multi-course Chinese dinner.

Booking & Reservations

Another great thing is that both spots can be accessed

using Dianping (大众点评), China’s ultimate lifestyle app!

Since the hottest restaurants in China often have massive queues,

being able to book or join the virtual queue in advance

makes mapping out your daily sightseeing so much smoother.

Siji Minfu, in particular, lets you queue virtually on Dianping,

There was no reservation button inside the Dianping app.

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

You can actually book Ye Shanghai through Dianping,

and I've detailed how to do that in another post!

Just click the Ye Shanghai post link at the very bottom of this page!

The Siji Minfu branch near the Bund is infamous for its crazy-long wait times,

but the Qipulu Joy City (七浦路大悦城)

location that I visited didn't have much of a wait at all!

So I highly recommend checking out this branch 👍🏻

Plus, inside the same building, you'll find popular Chinese beauty brands

like INTO YOU and Judydoll,

making it super convenient to fit in some shopping before or after your meal.

If you're planning a shopping spree in Shanghai,

this makes for a perfect itinerary.

Siji Minfu Peking Duck Review

Back home, if you want to eat Peking duck,

you usually have to reserve it at least two days in advance

because of the long roasting time, right?

But in China, because the demand is always so high at these specialized spots,

that wasn't necessary at all.

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

What surprised me was seeing not just tourists,

but tons of locals dining here as well.

It definitely felt like a certified hot spot loved by locals.

For our group of three, we ordered:

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

That was our spread!

First, they served the complimentary side dishes.

Pro-Tip!

In China, most restaurants offer free corkage!

So if you buy your favorite alcohol from a supermarket or convenience store and bring it along,

you can enjoy your meal on a budget!

And if you let the staff know,

they'll set you up with a traditional decanter (which is said to enhance the aroma)

and shot glasses!

Calling all drink lovers, China is your paradise...

Free corkage in China. Setting up the Baijiu decanter.

Watching the chef carve the duck right in front of us was a performance in itself.

It was so much fun to watch!

They suggested trying just the skin for the first bite,

and oh my goodness, it was incredibly crispy! 😆

They also served it with sugar for dipping.

At first, I was like, "Sugar on duck?"

But once you try it, the sweet and savory combo actually works surprisingly well.

But of course, the absolute highlight was the classic wrap.

Wrapping the tender duck, fresh cucumber, scallions, and sweet sauce inside a thin pancake—this combination is so addictive, you won't be able to stop eating!