Beijing Duck Seafood Restaurant - Review - Chinatown - Philadelphia - The Infatuation
"Let the reverberating sound of the gong draw you in. At first glance, Beijing Duck Seafood appears a lot like other banquet-style spots in Chinatown—lobsters in too-bright tanks, dim sum-filled lazy susans, and kids using spring rolls as drumsticks. But it’s the Peking duck carved tableside after the gong strike that makes this place a standout. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo Pause Unmute The BYOB is ideal for big groups, and the menu is built for it. There are over 100 options to choose from, like crispy scallion pancakes, rich egg drop soup, crunchy sesame chicken, and classic noodles. We’ve crunched the numbers, and the best bang for your buck is to go for the eight-to-10-course family dinner deals. They start at $199, and you get the best of both worlds: a procession of satisfying Chinese staples, plus the copper, crispy-skinned duck and all the fixins (which costs around $130 if you get it solo). If you do get the package, prepare to twitch in anticipation—the thinly sliced star comes out last with a ceremonial chime, rolled out by the staff and a chef dressed for the occasion. But this is a duck worth all the pageantry and decorative slicing, and will result in a new devotion to a bird-a-week lifestyle. Food Rundown Egg Drop Soup Egg drop soup is commonplace in this neighborhood, and this one is like most: a thick broth with chicken and onion undertones and smooth strands of egg. It’s warming, savory, and essential on a cold day. PlayMute video credit: Nicole Guglielmo Pork Dumplings The focus is on the bird here, but the dim sum holds its own. These are pan-fried pouches, so they are crackly wrapped, edge-to-edge, and filled with juicy pork. You get six in an order, and although they’re simple and straightforward, we wanted even more of them. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo Mapo Tofu Don’t let the chilis and reddish glaze fool you—the spice fades to the background after just a few seconds. What’s left? Soft, custard-like cubes of tofu, stewed onions, and peas in a tangy broth. We don’t need it, but we also don’t mind it. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo Shrimp Lo Mein Slippery lo mein noodles. Slightly overcooked shrimp. Average but serviceable. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo General Tso’s Chicken A dish that’s perfect for a group, or us when we walk in around 11pm on a Tuesday night after the bar. Although we’ve had this dish maybe 100 times in our lives, the way these nuggets retain their crunch post-sweet sauce makes us want it from here 100 more. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo Peking Duck This is a dish so important that it’s in the name of the restaurant. And after diving into a plate, we know why. Once the duck is expertly cut up, you’ll get plates of crispy skin along with sugar for dipping, plus the tender meat, pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce. PlayMute video credit: Nicole Guglielmo" - Candis R. McLean
