VIBE

It’s an open secret among locals that Xiang Man Lou has some of the best Peking duck in town–and this is a town where that really means something. The surrounds are very basic (a few vinyl booths near the window are as close as they get to luxury here), but judging by the crowds, no one’s here for the “décor” anyway. The traditional duck comes served with all the fixings, like plum sauce, cucumbers, and spring onions. The duck is perfectly prepared, the pancakes are thin but have that chewy resistance that is key, and the sauce and other accoutrements are deliciously fresh. It’s Peking duck in a New Jersey-diner setting–who’d have thought that combo would be so stellar?!

CROWD

A varied mix of Beijing locals of all stripes. Although it’s in the embassy district, only a very tiny set of in-the-know expats pop by.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

It’s really casual–we’d wear capris, a long-sleeved tee, and flats.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; family

WHY WE LIKE IT

The duck, duh! They even serve the duck broth afterward (not all duck joints do so, and this is the hallmark of serving the duck the traditional way). We also have a soft spot for the hearty portions of homestyle dishes like yuxiang qiezi. (Psst, this is Emily’s go-to place for Peking duck.)

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The long lines. (Waits for a table often run close to an hour during peak hours–go just after the lunch/dinner rush, and you’ll have no problems.)

GOOD TO KNOW

Reservations are only available until 6:30pm, so be prepared to dine early if you want a guaranteed table. If you don’t have a booking, avoid “rush hours” (especially 7:00pm-8:30pm), or you’ll be waiting a looong time for a table. The restaurant is a little tricky to find, but luckily it’s just across the street from YuYang Hotel and dumpling legend Din Tai Fung, which has helpfully plastered the neighborhood in signs. If lost, just follow the signs there, then walk across the street to the diner which is, in fact, Xiang Man Lou.

CLOSEST COMPS

Li Qun Roast Duck Restaurant (Beijing)

Read more about Xiang Man Lou in The Diary