Who says you can't have your poultry and eat it too? To prove the skeptics wrong, City Weekend embarked on a search for the best birds along the Bund. Surprisingly, some of the best roasted ducks come from not Beijing but Nanjing—Dong Lu, that is!

Beijing | Xindalu China Kitchen
With a seven-ton brick oven imported from Beijing firing up succulent roast duck, it’s no wonder that the birds at Xindalu China Kitchen are as tasty as they are authentic. Thanks to the open kitchen, diners can marvel at the crispy, thin-skinned fowl roasting over a bed of red dates and green apple wood. Xindalu’s duck is so good that there’s no longer any need to trek north to the capital to get a taste of this imperial delicacy.
Where: 1/F, Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huangpu Lu 黄浦路199号上海外滩茂悦大酒店1楼

Tel: 6393-1234 ext. 6318

Beijing | Lao Beijing
Lao Beijing offers some of the tastiest roast duck in Shanghai. For ¥165, be prepared to loosen your belt buckle, as this price gets you a duck feast with all the trimmings. If you’re lucky, they’ll go heavy on the rich, crispy skin. One of our favorite parts of the meal is watching the carver come out and quickly and effortlessly slice the bird, but if you can’t be bothered with the theatrics of eating in the restaurant, order your duck to go for just ¥98 and enjoy at home.
Where: 9/F, 592 Nanjing Dong Lu 南京东路592号9楼
Tel: 6351-6617



Beijing | Ya Wang
It is no coincidence that Ya Wang translates literally to “duck king.” The duck here (¥168 or ¥108 for takeout) is one of the most tender and juicy in town, served with all the standards: pancakes, sesame buns, hoisin, cucumbers and scallions. This appropriately-named Beijing duck chain offers up the entire bird, so once you’ve finished your meal, they’ll wrap up the carcass for you to take home so you can make some tasty broth.
Where: 20 Tianyaoqiao Lu 天钥桥路20号
Tel: 6464-9169