Indulge in the Finest Peking Duck in China

Former US President George H.W. Bush paid with his personal credit card while dining at Quan Jude Restaurant.

Indulge in the Finest Peking Duck in China

Former US President George H.W. Bush, former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro... are among the prominent figures who have dined at Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (branch at Qianmen). This is the oldest roast duck restaurant in Beijing, with a history of 150 years. The restaurant spans 2,000 m², and can accommodate 1,000 people at once.

For tourists, simply asking a random local about things to do in the capital will likely lead to a recommendation to try the roast duck at Quan Jude. For locals, it is the most renowned Beijing roast duck restaurant, serving tender meat and crispy, fatty skin.

As the first dish that comes to mind for the Chinese, Peking duck from the restaurant is often used by former Premier Zhou Enlai at banquets for distinguished guests and diplomatic delegations from other countries.

From its flagship store in Qianmen, the restaurant has expanded to other provinces and even globally, including Australia, Canada... The most renowned Quan Jude outlet is located on Qianmen Avenue, nestled in a shopping district styled after the Qing Dynasty, near the Forbidden City. It's always bustling with tourists.

In the early 2000s, visitors to Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant would encounter a petite woman with a serious demeanor. She is Yang Zongman, the descendant of the restaurant's founder. Standing next to the tall and lively female servers in glamorous attire, she might be mistaken for a mid-level restaurant manager.

But it seems that Yang has no intention of leaving anytime soon. She is the daughter of the person who opened this shop in 1864, originally just a family restaurant. Many patrons come to the restaurant to inquire about the descendant of the original owner. So, Yang printed the word 'Descendant' on her business card, replacing her job title. She also works almost every day of the year because many regular customers come for her, and she needs to be present at all times.

Yang works diligently with the desire for this first Quan Jude outlet to become the best business. 'The Yang family will surely be proud to know that no matter who runs the business, the restaurant always attracts customers,' she says.

Over the years, visits from dignitaries have come and gone before her eyes. She was most impressed by former President Bush, who dined there in 1995 with his wife, Barbara, as he paid for the meal with his own credit card.

Quan Jude embodies perfection, unity, and compassion. The founder of this establishment is Yang Quanren, who made a living selling chickens and ducks on Qianmen Street. One day, a dried fruit shop in the market went bankrupt, and he quickly seized the opportunity to open a small eatery there. He soon added roast duck to his menu. On July 9, 1864, Quan Jude began selling roasted ducks, amidst loud fireworks.

After his passing, his children took over the eatery. They introduced new dishes to the menu, perfected the roast style in the oven, and turned Quan Jude into one of the most renowned Peking duck restaurants of that time.

Business became difficult in the late 1940s, but then gradually improved. However, by 1966, the Cultural Revolution erupted, and Quan Jude was forced to remove the hand-carved signboard that had endured for centuries, chopped into firewood. Yang's father, known as a capitalist, was expelled to the countryside to raise pigs. She was sent to the icy Northwest.

'Back then, I was only 17,' Yang said. 'I dug canals, planted rice, raised horses, fed poultry and pigs, and even named them. It seemed like there was no hope left.' That life lasted for 10 years. Thinking she would never return home again, she married her battalion commander and bore two children. It wasn't until 1978 that she had the opportunity to return to Beijing.

Source: Nam Tran/ Vnexpress

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide