They make the best kang pao chicken and Hunan dish better than any Chinese restaurant. You have to try them.
Kyle Sutton
Delicious food. Great service. Nice atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hertz Vaughan
A 50-year treasure that still delivers! I took my family to Duck Chang’s for lunch last week and walked out grinning like a kid at a victory parade. In its 50th year (founded 1975), this old-school, family-run icon is everything people say it is: welcoming, deeply consistent, and—when you order the signatures—flat-out unforgettable.
Starters (in the proper order): We opened with Cha Dumplings (4)—fried dumplings glazed in a bright, tangy sauce. The filling (pork and vegetables) was juicy, the wrapper crisp, and the glaze balanced enough that every bite made you reach for the next one. Alongside, the Pai Dan Tofu was a standout: cool, silky tofu crowned with fermented duck egg (century egg). The inky, almost black yolk delivered that savory, mineral richness you only get from pidan—complex, traditional, and absolutely delicious. If you’re curious or on the fence, order it; this is how you fall in love with a classic.
To start the mains, we shared a half Peking duck, carved and served with pancakes, scallions, and their famous sauce. The skin crackled; the meat was tender and succulent; every wrap snapped into place like a perfect landing. Part of the legend here is the method pioneered by founder “Duck” Chang—a way to produce top-tier Peking duck without the old 24-hour pre-order ritual. Today, proprietor Peter Chang carries that craft forward with obvious pride. Our duck tasted like a family tradition honed over decades.
We also had Kung Pao chicken which arrived in the traditional dry style—no sticky glaze, just glossy wok-kissed morsels that snap with heat and perfume. Blistered dried chiles and the citrusy, numbing pop of Sichuan peppercorns lead the charge, while a whisper of white pepper lifts the aromatics without burying the chicken. Each bite layers smoke, tingle, and savory depth, with just enough scallion and crunch to keep the texture lively. It’s the kind of heat that invites another bite rather than dares you to stop—assertive, balanced, and absolutely addictive.
Don’t miss the snow pea shoots. Vivid green, kissed with garlic, and cooked just to the edge of tender—this is the plate that resets your palate and proves how good simple can be when technique is flawless.
The room is warm and unfussy, the service kind and attentive, and the pacing just right for a family lunch. There’s nothing performative here—just a restaurant that knows exactly who it is and what it does best.
Duck Chang’s is a living piece of Northern Virginia food history, still earning its reputation one table at a time. On the restaurant’s golden anniversary, our meal felt like a toast to five decades of skill, hospitality, and consistency. If you’ve never been, go. If you haven’t been in a while, go back. Order the dumplings, the Pai Dan Tofu, the snow pea shoots, and—of course—the Peking duck. Five stars, no hesitation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Half Peking Duck
Isaac San Lorenzo Mancini
Service was great, the person who handled my order was very friendly, however the portion was outrageously small for the price. I ordered half a duck and it wasn’t even the size of half a chicken, and the price was $45, the same as a whole duck at other locations. Also the flavor was bland and the skin was not crispy, I tasted it as soon as I got to the car so it wasn’t a matter of steam softening the skin, seems they just gave me an old duck that was sitting under a heat lamp. I felt robbed.
Food: 2
Service: 5
TIM
We didn’t know that this place was established in 1975, going 50 years strong! Beijing duck was authentic with its extra crispy and perfectly seasoned skin. General Tso’s chicken was also crispy and juicy, one of the best in DMV. Definitely worth a try and I will be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Half Peking Duck
Elaine Marini
We ordered the pan-fried noodle and triple delight. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. Service was excellent and we plan to make this a regular stop for dinner. The portions were very generous. I should have taken a picture but by the time I thought of it my dish was half empty. Next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniella Reese
The food was great, the environment was humble and comforting and the service was wonderful. We ordered the whole duck shared between two people (it was plenty of food and very filling). They were also very helpful in teaching us how to wrap it. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tyler Alexander
Perfect service in atmosphere is great the food is amazing
Great environment, wonderful service and highly recommend! The food is absolutely delicious and worth any wait. Also a family-owned restaurant, which is an incredible plus! You know the experience will be just right.
Always good food in a warm cozy setting!!! Peking duck is the star however other original dishes like the shrimp peppered are fantastic!!!
Valeria unda
I ordered roasted pork and 1/2 duck, food was bland and I dont think the portion is enough for the price.
Herbert Matthews
This is the original restaurant that brought Peking Duck to America using the family's secret recipe and cooking techniques. I've been a regular customer for decades. The family's courtesy makes every visit a wonderful experience beyond the array of gourmet food.
Deborah MacPherson
Love Duck Changs! Hands down the best pan fried dumplings anywhere. Delicious! Love seeing the whole family there ❤️🏅❤️
Judy Chandler
We always love coming to Duck Chang's. The food is authentic Chinese, the service is excellent and all are welcome with smiles and warmth!
The peking duck was very tasty!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
They make the best kang pao chicken and Hunan dish better than any Chinese restaurant. You have to try them.
Delicious food. Great service. Nice atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A 50-year treasure that still delivers! I took my family to Duck Chang’s for lunch last week and walked out grinning like a kid at a victory parade. In its 50th year (founded 1975), this old-school, family-run icon is everything people say it is: welcoming, deeply consistent, and—when you order the signatures—flat-out unforgettable.
Starters (in the proper order):
We opened with Cha Dumplings (4)—fried dumplings glazed in a bright, tangy sauce. The filling (pork and vegetables) was juicy, the wrapper crisp, and the glaze balanced enough that every bite made you reach for the next one. Alongside, the Pai Dan Tofu was a standout: cool, silky tofu crowned with fermented duck egg (century egg). The inky, almost black yolk delivered that savory, mineral richness you only get from pidan—complex, traditional, and absolutely delicious. If you’re curious or on the fence, order it; this is how you fall in love with a classic.
To start the mains, we shared a half Peking duck, carved and served with pancakes, scallions, and their famous sauce. The skin crackled; the meat was tender and succulent; every wrap snapped into place like a perfect landing. Part of the legend here is the method pioneered by founder “Duck” Chang—a way to produce top-tier Peking duck without the old 24-hour pre-order ritual. Today, proprietor Peter Chang carries that craft forward with obvious pride. Our duck tasted like a family tradition honed over decades.
We also had Kung Pao chicken which arrived in the traditional dry style—no sticky glaze, just glossy wok-kissed morsels that snap with heat and perfume. Blistered dried chiles and the citrusy, numbing pop of Sichuan peppercorns lead the charge, while a whisper of white pepper lifts the aromatics without burying the chicken. Each bite layers smoke, tingle, and savory depth, with just enough scallion and crunch to keep the texture lively. It’s the kind of heat that invites another bite rather than dares you to stop—assertive, balanced, and absolutely addictive.
Don’t miss the snow pea shoots. Vivid green, kissed with garlic, and cooked just to the edge of tender—this is the plate that resets your palate and proves how good simple can be when technique is flawless.
The room is warm and unfussy, the service kind and attentive, and the pacing just right for a family lunch. There’s nothing performative here—just a restaurant that knows exactly who it is and what it does best.
Duck Chang’s is a living piece of Northern Virginia food history, still earning its reputation one table at a time. On the restaurant’s golden anniversary, our meal felt like a toast to five decades of skill, hospitality, and consistency. If you’ve never been, go. If you haven’t been in a while, go back. Order the dumplings, the Pai Dan Tofu, the snow pea shoots, and—of course—the Peking duck. Five stars, no hesitation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Half Peking Duck
Service was great, the person who handled my order was very friendly, however the portion was outrageously small for the price. I ordered half a duck and it wasn’t even the size of half a chicken, and the price was $45, the same as a whole duck at other locations. Also the flavor was bland and the skin was not crispy, I tasted it as soon as I got to the car so it wasn’t a matter of steam softening the skin, seems they just gave me an old duck that was sitting under a heat lamp. I felt robbed.
Food: 2
Service: 5
We didn’t know that this place was established in 1975, going 50 years strong! Beijing duck was authentic with its extra crispy and perfectly seasoned skin. General Tso’s chicken was also crispy and juicy, one of the best in DMV. Definitely worth a try and I will be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Half Peking Duck
We ordered the pan-fried noodle and triple delight. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. Service was excellent and we plan to make this a regular stop for dinner. The portions were very generous. I should have taken a picture but by the time I thought of it my dish was half empty. Next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was great, the environment was humble and comforting and the service was wonderful. We ordered the whole duck shared between two people (it was plenty of food and very filling). They were also very helpful in teaching us how to wrap it. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Perfect service in atmosphere is great the food is amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Rice, Gluten Free General TSO's Chicken, Fried Banana
Great environment, wonderful service and highly recommend! The food is absolutely delicious and worth any wait. Also a family-owned restaurant, which is an incredible plus! You know the experience will be just right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Always good food in a warm cozy setting!!!
Peking duck is the star however other original dishes like the shrimp peppered are fantastic!!!
I ordered roasted pork and 1/2 duck, food was bland and I dont think the portion is enough for the price.
This is the original restaurant that brought Peking Duck to America using the family's secret recipe and cooking techniques. I've been a regular customer for decades. The family's courtesy makes every visit a wonderful experience beyond the array of gourmet food.
Love Duck Changs! Hands down the best pan fried dumplings anywhere. Delicious! Love seeing the whole family there ❤️🏅❤️
We always love coming to Duck Chang's. The food is authentic Chinese, the service is excellent and all are welcome with smiles and warmth!
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