What To Serve With Peking Duck? 15 Best Side Dishes

If you're thinking about serving Peking Duck, a classic dish known for its crispy skin and rich flavor, you might wonder what goes best with it.

Here you can find 15 tasty side dishes that complement the duck perfectly, enhancing every bite with different textures and flavors.

Whether you're hosting a special dinner or just want to make a regular night feel a bit more special, these sides are sure to impress.

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with peking duck are hoisin sauce, chun bing, fried rice, lo mein, pickled radish, cucumber salad, , spring rolls, steamed dumplings, bao buns, , hong kong noodles, chinese curry sauce, bok choy, sesame broccoli, garlic green beans, and spicy eggplant.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a must-have when you're serving Peking Duck. This thick, fragrant sauce combines sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors that coat your palate beautifully, making each bite of duck even more delicious. It's made from soybeans, garlic, chili, and various spices. Serve it on the side for dipping or drizzle it over the sliced duck for an extra layer of flavor.

2. Chun Bing - Spring Pancakes

Chun Bing, or spring pancakes, are soft, thin wrappers that are perfect for Peking Duck. The idea is to load these pancakes with a slice of duck, some scallions, and a bit of hoisin sauce, then roll it up and enjoy. These pancakes are not only a traditional choice but also a delightful way to make each mouthful customizable and interactive.

3. Bao Buns

Bao buns are soft, fluffy, and just the right kind of spongy to soak up the rich flavors of Peking Duck. You can stuff these buns with pieces of crispy duck, a spread of hoisin sauce, and a few slices of scallions or cucumber for a mouth-watering mini sandwich. Each bun offers a sweet touch that complements the savory notes of the duck wonderfully, making for a delightful and hearty side.

4. Lo Mein

Lo Mein, with its tender noodles tossed in a savory sauce, is a fantastic side dish that meshes well with Peking Duck. The noodles are stir-fried with a mix of vegetables and sometimes meat, but when served alongside Peking Duck, they absorb the flavors and add a lovely chewy texture to the meal. It's a filling side that rounds out the dining experience.

5. Pickled Radish

Pickled radish adds a refreshing crunch and a zesty flavor to balance the rich, fatty profile of Peking Duck. The tanginess of the radish cuts through the richness and refreshes your palate, making it ready for the next bite. It’s a simple side that brings brightness and a bit of spice to the table.

6. Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad is another great side that offers a crisp and cooling contrast to the warm duck. Thinly sliced cucumbers dressed with a hint of vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil create a simple yet effective side dish. It’s light, refreshing, and a little goes a long way in complementing the main dish.

7. Fried Rice

Fried rice works wonderfully with Peking Duck. It’s hearty and satisfying, with each grain of rice picking up the flavors of soy sauce, eggs, and vegetables. This side dish can also absorb the juicy, flavorful fat from the duck, making it a comforting and filling addition to your meal.

8. Spring Rolls

Spring rolls, filled with vegetables and sometimes meat, offer a crispy texture that contrasts nicely with the tender duck. They're a delightful bite that can be dipped in hoisin sauce or eaten as is for a mix of flavors and textures that keep the meal exciting.

9. Steamed Dumplings

Steamed dumplings, with their soft, chewy texture, are a comforting side that pairs beautifully with Peking Duck. You can fill them with a variety of ingredients like shrimp, pork, or vegetables. The mild flavor of the dumplings makes them a perfect backdrop to the star of the show, allowing the duck to shine.

10. Hong Kong Noodles

Hong Kong Noodles are crispy, golden, and a joy to crunch on. Serving these alongside Peking Duck creates a play of textures that is truly enjoyable. The noodles can be topped with a light drizzle of Chinese curry sauce or just a bit of soy to enhance their natural flavor, pairing nicely with the softer textures of the duck.

11. Chinese Curry Sauce

Chinese Curry Sauce is a bold, aromatic condiment that can transform your Peking Duck serving into something spectacular. Its mild heat and deep flavors of curry spices provide a nice contrast to the duck's richness. Use it as a drizzle over the duck or as a dip for the bao buns and steamed dumplings for an added layer of flavor.

12. Bok Choy

Bok Choy, lightly sautéed with garlic and a splash of soy sauce, is a simple yet effective side dish. Its crisp texture and slightly peppery flavor make it a refreshing counterpart to the fatty luxury of Peking Duck. It adds a healthful touch to the meal, balancing out the heavier items on the plate.

13. Sesame Broccoli

Sesame broccoli, roasted until just tender and tossed with sesame oil and seeds, brings a nutty, earthy component to the meal. Its crunchy texture and vibrant flavor complement the softness of the duck, making each bite a balanced exploration of flavors and textures.

14. Garlic Green Beans

Garlic green beans, stir-fried until crisp-tender and speckled with bits of garlic, are a lively side that brings both color and zest to the plate. Their snappy texture and garlicky punch pair well with the subtle gamey notes of Peking Duck, offering a refreshing change of pace from the richer sides.

15. Spicy Eggplant

Spicy eggplant, cooked down until it's perfectly soft and infused with spices, is a side that brings a bit of heat to the table. The smokiness of the eggplant along with the heat from chili flakes or sauce complements the duck's richness, adding a layer of complexity to the overall meal.