Le Palais: book the duck, 先知鴨 or 火焰片皮鴨
Why go: Celebrations / friends visiting Taipei
Order: 先知鴨 or 火焰片皮鴨
If you read the fancy duck at Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco, this is where to go fancy in Taipei. Three Michelin stars, the one place that has this honor. Gorgeous room. Decor, tables, lighting. Then the food. 17F, Palais de Chine, right on Taipei Main.
Order the duck with the reservation. Two ways: 先知鴨, the young duck, smaller, soft bone, usually two eats. Or 火焰片皮鴨, the flame crispy-skin duck, three or four ways, all the parts with max flavor. Book both days ahead.
When the duck is ready, a chef brings it to your table and starts slicing. You’ll see that ritual all over the room, each table with its own chef. After the first serves, they turn the rest into soup. You get a few choices. We also had the fried rice. Nice. Their teas are delightful.
My duck place in Taiwan. Been a couple of times for important celebrations. Always a must when bringing friends to the city. Pair it with the museum, the pork and the jade cabbage, and you get why this city is full of foodies.
Then go cheap. Night market duck: 金馥記脆皮烤鴨 in Shilin, and 真福記 in Songshan near Taipei Arena. Hotel one night, daily meal the next. What a city. Always underrated. Good for the ones who know.
Map and directions
17F, Palais de Chine Hotel (君品酒店), No. 3, Sec. 1, Chengde Rd, Datong, Taipei 103
Get directionsWhat to order
先知鴨 / Young duck
先知鴨 is the smaller young duck, with softer bones, usually served two ways. Pre-order it when you reserve the table.
火焰片皮鴨 / Flame crispy-skin duck
The larger showpiece: flame-finished crispy-skin duck served three or four ways. A chef slices it tableside, using the different parts for maximum flavor.
Duck soup
Made from the rest of the bird after the tableside carving. Pick one of the soup preparations they offer for the remaining duck.
Fried rice
A good addition after the duck courses: straightforward, comforting fried rice alongside the richer parts of the meal.
Tea
Their teas are delightful and feel like part of the room and the ceremony of the meal.
If you're visiting Le Palais
- What should I order at Le Palais?
- Pre-order the duck with your reservation. Choose 先知鴨, the smaller young duck usually served two ways, or 火焰片皮鴨, the flame crispy-skin duck served three or four ways and sliced tableside. Have the rest of the bird turned into one of the offered duck soups, and add the fried rice and tea.
- How do I book Le Palais?
- Reservations required. Book on inline (opens 1st of month, 00:00, for next month). Pre-order the duck with the table. Smart casual. Book both days ahead.
- Where is Le Palais in Taipei?
- 17F, Palais de Chine Hotel (君品酒店), No. 3, Sec. 1, Chengde Rd, Datong, Taipei 103. 台北市大同區承德路一段3號17樓. Right on Taipei Main. Tue–Sun lunch 12:00–14:30, dinner 18:00–21:30; closed Mon.
- Where should I go for cheaper duck in Taipei?
- Then go cheap. Night market duck: 金馥記脆皮烤鴨 in Shilin, and 真福記 in Songshan near Taipei Arena. Hotel one night, daily meal the next.
Restaurant details
Thu, Dec 5, 2024
Datong, Taipei
Required. Duck with the booking. Book on inline (opens 1st of month, 00:00, for next month). Pre-order the duck with the table. Smart casual.
By Christian Van Der Henst