Beijing Duck Seafood Restaurant
Chinese restaurant · Chinatown
913 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Highlights
Authentic Peking duck, crispy skin, tender meat, tasty dim sum
Authentic Peking duck, crispy skin, tender meat, tasty dim sum
"We never thought we’d be here—having eaten our second bird of the week and seriously considering going for lucky number three. But this new banquet-style spot serving $105 duck is just that good. Get the poultry showcase for the thinly sliced magic: a chef rolls out a trolley, sounds a gong, and serves golden-roasted duck for four, along with delightfully crispy skin with sugar to dip it in. Like the duck, everything here, from the pan-fried noodles and beef fried rice to the lightly-battered garlic shrimp is meant to be passed around the massive tables with a group. But only the duck will make you consider a bird-a-day lifestyle." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"If you’re like us, life is what happens between spring roll-pan-fried dumpling-and-shrimp ball-consumption. And although Beijing Duck Seafood’s star is its Peking duck, they also play a mean dim sum game. The pork soup dumplings have savory broth centers, the palm-sized egg rolls are golden and deep-fried, and crab claws come with just a hint of garlic on their crispy-fried shells. They have over 100 choices on the menu, and they’re all up there with some of the better spots in Chinatown. The banquet-style BYOB stays open until midnight, so bring a bottle, some friends, and start a marathon of dishes to complete your life’s dim sum mission." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"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
"We never thought we’d be here—having eaten our second bird of the week and seriously considering going for lucky number three. But this new banquet-style Chinatown spot serving $105 duck is just that good. Get the poultry showcase for the thinly sliced magic: a chef rolls out a trolley, sounds a gong, and serves golden-roasted duck for four, along with delightfully crispy skin with sugar to dip it in. Like the duck, everything from the pan-fried noodles and beef fried rice to the lightly-battered garlic shrimp is meant to be passed around the massive tables with a group. But only the duck will make you consider a bird-a-day lifestyle." - candis mclean, alison kessler, candis mclean, candis mclean, candis mclean, alison kessler, candis mclean, alison kessler, candis mclean, alison kessler, alison kessler, candis mclean, candis mclean, candis mclean
"This new Chinatown restaurant is for those who relentlessly love peking duck. For $105, a chef will prepare a whole roasted duck for four in its crispy skin goodness right in front of you. But beyond the bird — tasty noodles, fried rice, and sautéed seafood is also on the menu." - Ernest Owens
