Cover Here’s where to find the best Peking duck in Singapore (Photo: Kai Garden)

Arguably the most popular dish in Chinese restaurants, these skilful chefs have come up with inspired takes on the Peking duck

The epitome of any Chinese feast is one with a Peking duck served in the middle of the dining table. A treat for the whole family, it’s always enjoyed for its skin that crackles on every bite and the tender meat that makes the mouth water. Even better when you dab a bit of sugar on the skin; add a smear of hoisin sauce, and toppings of crunchy cucumbers and finely shaved scallions before you wrap it with a thin crepe. Bite into it and you’ll come to fathom why such a dish was only reserved for Chinese emperors in the past. Whether classic styles or innovative twists, here are some of the best restaurants in Singapore to enjoy the iconic Peking duck.

Read more: The best steak restaurants to book in Singapore

Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Orchard
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at Summer Palace (Photo: Conrad Singapore Orchard)

The grand dame of Cantonese fine dining just got a modern update and we’re all for it. At the helm is executive chef Liu Ching Hai, boasting three decades of mastery of Cantonese cuisine, where he presents an impeccably executed Peking duck. Before roasting over open flame, each duck wears a delicate coat of spice marinade for 24 hours and is air-dried. This ensures the perfect ratio of crispy skin and succulent meat. The duck is meticulously sourced from Malaysia and delivered within 12 hours from butchery to table, so you know you’re getting a fresh bird. Expect a skilful display of tableside carving where the chef expertly portions the bird. There will be crispy skin to be dabbed with brown sugar; juicy duck breast to be wrapped in thin pancakes with the usual suspects, but elevated with airy corn crisps and a truffle-infused fermented ground bean sauce; and the juicy duck thigh with mouthwatering plum sauce.


Summer Palace (Singapore)

Address: 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 3, Regent Singapore, S(249715)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Raffles Place
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at Kai Garden (Photo: Kai Garden)

Chef-owner Fung Chi Keung, an alumnus and former group executive chef of Paradise Dynasty, has a cult following, and true purveyors of Cantonese cuisine are often found grazing over a fine Cantonese spread at Kai Garden. The signature Peking duck is simply spectacular, especially its glistening crisp skin. But Fung goes a step further by serving up an Instagrammable Rolodex of wraps, featuring colours and flavours of pumpkin, beetroot, spinach, and bamboo charcoal. Even the sauces are not an afterthought. Besides the classic hoisin sauce, gourmands are lavished with four other homemade sauces: black pepper, sesame, seafood and a special mix.


Kai Garden

Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, 03-128A/128B Marina Square, S(39594)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   City Hall/ Bras Basah
Tatler Asia
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/haitienlo/
Above Signature Peking duck at Hai Tien Lo (Photo: Hai Tien Lo)
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/haitienlo/

At Hai Tien Lo, chef Ricky Leung puts a contemporary twist on the classic Peking duck. Here, the duck is prepared traditionally and beautifully roasted to achieve a crisp and brown skin with tender meat. On top of traditional garnishes such as crepe skin, cucumber, and hoisin sauce, the Cantonese restaurant also offers additional accompaniments such as avocado, beancurd skin and black caviar. Enjoy the skilfully sliced duck with avocado and revel in the creamy avocado flavours balanced by juicy and succulent flesh. 


Hai Tien Lo

Address: 7 Raffles Boulevard, Level 3, Marina Square, S(039595)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Raffles Place
Tatler Asia
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/sichuandouhua_sg/
Above Signature Peking duck at Si Chuan Dou Hua (Photo: Si Chuan Dou Hua @ Top of UOB Plaza)
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/sichuandouhua_sg/

You can’t go wrong with ordering a Peking duck at Si Chuan Dou Hua.  One of its signatures, the 2.5kg duck is first cleaned and scorched with boiling water to help tighten the poultry’s skin, resulting in one that is thin and crisp. Then, the bird is beautifully roasted until it’s amber on the outside, yet the meat remains tender and succulent within. Savour the dish the traditional way, with a drizzle of homemade hoisin sauce and wrapped in a thin crepe. 


Si Chuan Dou Hua @ Top of UOB Plaza

Address: 80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Marina Bay
Tatler Asia
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/mott32sg/
Above Signature Peking duck at Mott 32 Singapore (Photo: Mott 32 Singapore)
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/mott32sg/

The opening of this popular Chinese restaurant at Marina Bay Sands means we don’t need to travel to Hong Kong for a taste of its apple wood‑roasted Peking duck “Signature Mott 32 Cut”. It’s a cult favourite for good reason: the 42-day duck is stored in a custom-made fridge that mimics Beijing’s cooler climate, and this ensures the fat layer under the skin develops a melt-in-the-mouth texture when it’s roasted for 24 hours over applewood. This cooking method also results in crispy skin and moist, tasty meat.


Mott 32 Singapore

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, B1-42 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, S(018956)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Orchard
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at Jiang-Nan Chun (Photo: Jiang-Nan Chun)

While there are so many reasons to visit the renowned Chinese restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel—the glamorous interiors, attentive service, sumptuous food and fine wines—we narrow it down for you with one special dish: signature Peking duck.

Known as one of its signatures, the chef takes up to 14 hours to prep this dish before it’s roasted in a customised mesquite oven. The result? A golden brown duck that’s bursting with flavours from the skin to the meat. It’s served with two types of wraps (plain and flavoured) together with usual homemade sauces, cucumber, and sugar. For a modern spin, it also comes with premium caviar.


Jiang-Nan Chun

Address: 190 Orchard Boulevard, Level 2, S(248646)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Dempsey
arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 2 Signature Peking duck at Min Jiang at Dempsey (Photo: Instagram / @eat.travel.play.repeat)
Photo 2 of 2 Signature Peking duck at Min Jiang at Dempsey (Photo: Instagram / @eat.travel.play.repeat)
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/eat.travel.play.repeat/
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/eat.travel.play.repeat/

What would make us travel all the way to Dempsey? Five words: legendary wood-fired Beijing duck. The Min Jiang highlight has earned a reputation as one of the best ducks for a good reason. It’s prepared by Chinese chefs using an ancient recipe that has remained a secret until today. 

Served with eight different condiments, the chefs skilfully carve the meat in front of your eyes. Just looking at the tender meat with thin and crispy skin is enough to make your mouth water. And when it’s served with the wrap and other ingredients, it’s just heaven on the palate.


Min Jiang at Dempsey

Address: 7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, S(249684)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Orchard
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at Imperial Treasure (Photo: Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck)

When a restaurant has the words “imperial” and “treasure” attached to its name, you’ll expect great things from its dishes. Fortunately, the kitchen team delivers especially with its menu and the signature item—super Peking duck.

Prepared by Chinese chefs in the traditional method, the duck undergoes hours of preparation (hence, orders should be made three days in advance) before it’s cooked in a wood-fired oven using lychee wood. The special way it’s roasted gives the meat a smoky flavour with just a hint of lychee. Of course, our favourite part is still the skin, which remains as crispy as ever.


Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck

Address: 290 Orchard Road #05-42, Paragon Singapore 238859


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Orchard
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at TungLok Xihe (Photo: TungLok Xihe Peking Duck)

The restaurant is a collaboration between Tunglok Group and Beijing’s XiHé Group, which is famous for its Peking duck. Therefore, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the star of the show here is the Peking duck.

The chefs only use top-shelf London duck from Ireland's famed Silver Hill Farm. The poultry is prepared and cured for three days before it’s slowly roasted to ensure the beautiful flavours are in every bite. Served with the special eight-treasure condiments platter.

In case you missed it: The best har cheong gai in Singapore, according to local chefs


TungLok Xihe Peking Duck

Address: 181 Orchard Road, #07-07/09 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Orchard
Tatler Asia
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/singaporemarriott/
Above Signature Peking duck at Wan Hao (Photo: Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant)
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/singaporemarriott/

Located in the heart of Orchard, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is the restaurant to visit when you suddenly crave for Peking duck after shopping. The kitchen team makes sure it’s worth the trip by offering you a version that uses premium Irish London duck and stays true to the traditional way it’s cooked.

Prepared by the Cantonese master chefs, they begin the preparation of flavouring and hanging the duck to dry days in advance. When it’s ready, they roast it in a special oven until it achieves that oh-so-crisp skin and succulent meat. Like all Peking ducks, it’s served with traditional Chinese crepe and usual accompaniments to complete the meal. 


Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant

Address: 320 Orchard Road, Level 3, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, S(238865)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   City Hall/ Bras Basah
Tatler Asia
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/yancantonesecuisine/
Above Signature Peking duck at Yàn (Photo: Yàn)
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/yancantonesecuisine/

The contemporary Cantonese restaurant prepares its signature Peking roast duck the classic way, ensuring the skin remains crisp and the flesh moist and tender. It comes with the usual garnishes such as leeks and hoisin sauce, as well as homemade crepes to wrap the succulent meat with. The team carves it tableside for extra flair, and whatever meat is left can be cooked with rice and noodles.


Yàn

Address: 1 Saint Andrew's Road, #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, S(178957)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Orchard
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at Hua Ting (Photo: Hua Ting)

For the restaurant’s signature Peking duck, master chef Lap Fai sources plump poultry from Malaysia which he infuses with aged pu-erh tea to give it a beautiful aroma and earthy flavour. He then roasts it to smoky perfection, turning the poultry every 30 to 40 minutes to ensure a crackling skin and succulent meat. It’s served with handmade wraps, onions, cucumbers and a zesty yuzu sauce concocted with a blend of secret ingredients.


Hua Ting

Address: 442 Orchard Road, Level 2, Orchard Hotel Singapore, Singapore 238879


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Duxton
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at Yellow Pot (Photo: Yellow Pot)

The restaurant is back and so is its classic roast duck beloved by many. In creating this masterpiece, the chefs only use free-range ducks from Malaysia, grown to their preferred size of 2.8kg for the ideal ratio of lean meat and fat. The bird is marinated for two days in a medley of herbs and spices, including Sichuan peppercorn, angelica root and a special blend of spice powder before it’s roasted. It’s served with the usual ingredients and a house-made soybean paste for added depth.


Yellow Pot Tanjong Pagar

Address: 83 Duxton Road, Duxton Reserve, S(089540)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Marina Bay
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Peking duck at Jade (Photo: Jade)

In preparing his signature Peking duck, Chinese executive chef Leong Chee Yeng only uses free-range ducks with plump skin and without a strong gamey flavour. He cleans it thoroughly and bathes it in a medley of spices including Sichuan peppercorn, fennel, cinnamon stick, garlic, and star anise. He does the extra step of coating the skin with maltose syrup, which ensures a crisp and caramelised skin upon roasting. Leong serves the duck with rock sugar orange peel, sweet ground black bean sauce, fresh spring onion, cucumber and thin pancakes.


Jade Restaurant

Address: One Fullerton Square, The Fullerton Hotel, S(049178)


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   City Hall/ Bras Basah
Tatler Asia
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/yirestaurant/
Above Signature Peking duck at Yi by Jereme Leung (Photo: Yi by Jereme Leung)
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/yirestaurant/

While this contemporary Chinese restaurant offers a list of barbecued meats, the Peking duck is a must-try. Depending on the number of diners, opt for either half or a whole duck. Each duck is delicately carved and decorated with golden flakes. It is served traditionally, with pancake, leek, and cucumber. Accompany the duck with its signature house-made rose fermented bean sauce, which adds a floral note to the dish. 


This story was first published on April 4, 2016 and updated on September 20, 2024. Additional reporting by Amanda Goh and Dawson Tan.


Yi by Jereme Leung

Address: 1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673


Topics