Siji Minfu — Restaurant in Beijing

Stepping into Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant in Wangfujing, Beijing, is like entering a temple of culinary delight. If you’re a fan of Beijing-style cuisine, this place is a must-visit. But let’s set the scene and dive into the experience.

First, the star of the show: the roast duck. It’s everything you dream of and more. Crispy skin, succulent meat, and flavors that dance on your tongue. I’d give it a stellar 9.5 out of 10. And don't get me started on the sautéed pea sprout—absolutely divine.

But here’s the kicker: be prepared to wait. Arriving around 7:30 pm, we were finally seated and served around 9:30 pm. Yes, two hours. But, hey, they’ve got snacks and drinks to keep you company, and the anticipation almost makes the duck taste better.

Service is, well, average. Most of the staff don’t speak English, and they keep interactions to a minimum. It’s not unfriendly, just straightforward and efficient. The environment? Clean and inviting.

Now, about the price. It’s on the higher side, but trust me, it’s worth every penny. This is one of those times when you truly get what you pay for. Plus, as a token of appreciation for our patience, they gave us a discount on the plum soup drink jar and two bottles of Beijing style soy paste. A nice touch!

Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Despite the wait, the food is so good I’d happily endure it again. And yes, I prefer Siji Minfu over Quanjude, hands down. The comparison isn’t even close.

So, if you find yourself in Beijing and craving an unforgettable meal, Siji Minfu is your spot. Just remember to go early, bring some patience, and get ready for one of the best culinary experiences Beijing...

Siji Minfu is a very popular restaurant chain that specializes in Peking duck. This location is located a short walk from the Forbidden city. Expect a long wait in excess of an hour no matter what time of day you come. However, the food here is excellent and is very reasonably priced. Service is also good especially for a restaurant in Beijing. My rating is based on the following:

Food: 5 stars Service/environment: 4 stars Value: 5 stars Recommendations: Peking duck is a must order, zhajiang noodles

On my visit I had the Peking duck, winter bamboo, and the Zhajiang noodles. Everything was excellent and I would recommend all of these dishes.

1️⃣Peking duck- The duck can be ordered as 1/2 a bird or a full bird. The pancakes and condiments are additional and you want to order these as well. The condiments are what make this place unique. They have the classic pairing of houses sauce, scallions and cucumber and also a “modern” pairing of garlic spread, and picked vegetables. Both are good but I prepare the modern version but if you don’t like garlic the classic version may be better for you.

2️⃣Winter bamboo- I love bamboo and this dish was very tasty. The bamboo was tender and slightly sweet. The dish is paired with some fried basil leafs which provide a nice taste contrast and some crunch.

3️⃣ Zhajiang noodles- The noodles are are served with a bean based meat sauce which is mixed at the table. Their version also some fresh vegetable condiments that are also mixed into the noodles. This is one of the better versions of this dish that I have had in Beijing. Sometimes I find this dish a bit too greasy but that is not...

In my opinion, Siji Minfu has officially nailed the best Peking Duck on the planet. The plating is delicate and elegant, and the duck is roasted to pure perfection. It’s crispy, flavorful, yet surprisingly light, unlike the famously decadent (but overly greasy) version at 大董 Da Dong.

The duck meat itself is wonderfully tender and fragrant, though if you're craving a more classic "duck-heavy" punch, old-school spots like 全聚德 Quanjude might still win you over. But what’s truly mind-blowing here is the crispy duck skin, which literally melts on your tongue when dipped in sugar.

We had the leftover duck bones made into soup, and it was the kind of hearty, northern comfort elevated by a subtle Cantonese touch: generous veggies, tofu, vermicelli, and that aromatic boost from plenty of white pepper. Pure comfort in a bowl.

Beyond the duck, their 贝勒爷烤肉 Beileye grilled lamb is a must-order. The lamb was not only completely free of gamey taste, but impressively tender, beautifully seasoned and perfectly balanced; definitely one of the best lamb dishes I've had anywhere.

My only gripe? Their creative twist on duck sauce, swapping the classic sweet bean sauce for a sweet-sour combo served with hawthorn strips. Too sweet and oddly tangy, it felt out of sync, hiding rather than highlighting the duck’s savory richness.

Ultimately, what sets Siji Minfu apart is freshness and restraint. Unlike other heavy hitters, this duck stays refreshingly balanced from start to finish—no grease overload, no seasoning overkill. Every bite feels clean and satisfying. No wonder my Beijing friends keep hyping it up (but only locations outside the...