10 places to get Peking duck on Long Island
Peking Duck served with slivered cucumber, scallions and hoisin sauce at O Mandarin in Hicksville. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
With the closing of Long Island Pekin in Babylon, many former customers feel stranded on an Island with no source of Peking Duck. In fact, there's a small flock of ducks in Nassau and Suffolk; here’s a sampling of restaurants that stand ready to serve.
Albert's Mandarin Gourmet
269 New York Ave., Huntington
At this venerable old-school Chinese eatery, the classic Peking duck might well be carved by Albert Leung himself. This is also the only restaurant on Long Island (and, possibly, the world) that makes Peking chicken. More info: More info: 631-673-8188, albertsmandarinny.com
China Pavilion
4245 Austin Blvd., Island Park
New to LI’s lineup this year is China Pavilion, a Flushing-style Cantonese spot (with a few Sichuan flourishes) that opened in the spring. The Peking duck here comes with all the trimmings — cucumbers, scallions, hoisin sauce — and house-made crepes that are thicker and heartier than usual, almost like flour tortillas. And that makes it even more substantial when used as a wrapper for the juicy duck and its crispy skin. More info: 516-688-0022, chinapavilionip.com
Jia
84 Old Shore Rd., Port Washington
One of Long Island’s most elegant Chinese restaurants, Jia serves a comparably elegant Peking duck, arrayed upon a wooden platter and accompanied by homemade pancakes, sliced cucumber and scallions, hoisin and a “seasonal” sauce to complement the bird. More info: 516-488-4801, jia-dimsum.com
A half order of Peking Duck is presented with sugar and chunks of pineapple at Jiang Nan in Syosset. Credit: Newsday/Andi Berlin
Jiang Nan
631 Jericho Tpke., Syosset
Tucked into an unassuming strip Mall, Jiang Nan only reveals its splendor once you open the door to be dazzled by a big, beautiful restaurant. The Flushing-born chain now operates eight restaurants on the East Coast, all of which specialize in Peking duck that arrives, on a wooden tray, arrayed with sliced cucumbers and chives, hoisin sauce, tantalizingly thin pancakes and even cubes of sweetened pineapple. More info: 516-226-1248, jiangnanny.com
O Mandarin
600 W. Old Country Rd., Hicksville
At this elegant temple to the regional cuisines of Western and Northern China (also a Top 50 restaurant), the duck undergoes the traditional battery of pre-roasting rituals — it’s pumped full of air to separate skin from flesh, bathed in hot water, hung to dry for three days — before being seasoned and roasted. The result of these ministrations is moist but greaseless flesh with shatteringly crisp skin that’s a deep, translucent amber. More info: 516-622-6666, omandarin.com/hicksville
A half order of Peking duck sits on a tray with sauteed snow pea leaves and an order of the rice cakes with pork and preserved vegetables at Shanghai You Garden in Westbury. Credit: Newsday/Andi Berlin
New Fu Run
50 Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck
You’ll usually need to call three days ahead, but Peking duck at this Northeastern Chinese restaurant (a FeedMe Top 50 eatery) entails three distinct dishes: The breast is served with traditional accoutrements, the legs are stir-fried with cumin and chili and the remaining carcass is turned into two quarts of duck-cabbage soup. More info: 516-708-1888, furunrestaurant.com
Shanghai You Garden
1500 Old Country Rd., Suite 112, Unit 103, Westbury
Last year, this Peking duck powerhouse from Queens opened its third location, at the 99 Ranch Market food court in Westbury. Packaged for takeout, the ducks can also be enjoyed at one of the food-court tables. Prepare yourself for one of the best renditions you’re likely to encounter. If you’re in a hurry — or between meals — grab a chunk of duck wrapped in a puffy white bao garnished with hoisin, leeks and scallion. More info: 516-832-8800, shanghaiyougardennyc.com
Super FL Mart
52 Jericho Tpke., Mineola
It may not be a proper dining room, but the food court of this sizable Chinese supermarket in Mineola puts out a mean Peking duck that is packaged to go and to reheat. The bird is carved into bite-sized segments with the crispy skin attached and then arranged in a large foil tray that can go right into the oven. Also included are puffy bao buns and sliced cucumber and scallions. You’ll also be provided with a bag of leftover duck bones, perfect for making a sumptuous broth. More info: 516-873-0888
Tao's Bao & Dim Sum
2460 Nesconset Hwy., Stony Brook
This tiny shop (there are a few tables but most people take out) originally specialized in Northern Chinese street foods but its menu has been steadily expanding. Peking duck (which comes with wraps, dipping sauce, scallions and cucumber) is served as part of a whole dinner along with duck soup, steamed scallops with glass noodles, steamed chicken in spicy sesame sauce, green vegetables and rice. More info: 631-675-6492, https://www.taosdimsum.com/
Zouji Dumpling House
188 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove
Dumplings are the star of the show at this under-the-radar source for authentic Chinese food, but the Peking duck is on the money too. Call ahead just to make sure there are ducks in stock — the kitchen will need a minimum of 40 minutes notice. More info: 516-801-4848, zoujidumpling.com
