Peking duck is a special occasion meal, and more often than not it's just something many of us can just salivate over.
So it might surprise some that one Auckland Chinese restaurant, Imperial Palace, is offering this national dish of China at a special price until the end of November.
The restaurant is run by Tim Tong, the original owner of the iconic Hee’s Garden in Mt Eden, that closed down in 2022 during the pandemic after 42 years serving old-school Cantonese cuisine.
For $68, you can get a whole Peking duck, expertly carved into thin slices and served with pancakes, pickles, slivers of spring onion and cucumber, and a special hoisin sauce.
To put this in context, a single-course whole Peking duck at Huami costs $98 and at Sum Made it is $98 for two-course.
To eat, dip the duck in the sauce, place it in the pancake, add the vegetables and then wrap it up like a parcel and place it in your mouth.
The rest of the duck is then chopped up and served as a second dish with a chilli dipping sauce. The best way to enjoy the roasted crispy flavour of the duck is to have it with a side of steamed jasmine rice.
To enjoy the special deal, you’ll need to spend a minimum of $100 (excluding the duck) and there’s a limit to one set per table.
Although duck has been a favourite for Chinese for centuries, it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that Chinese chefs started to prepare duck in this manner.
They hang the duck to let the fat drain and to get the intensely crispy skin.
This article is written in partnership with Imperial Palace Restaurant
BOOK NOW!!!
Imperial Palace Restaurant and Events Centre 519 Ellerslie Panmure Highway, Mount Wellington.
Make your reservation: 09 527 0519