Nanjing Kitchen

Truly nice change from roasted duck. Just perfect with steamed rice or as an appetizer with a glass of wine. Beautifully cut up. Wonderful for potluck and most likely no duplication! Always great service and English friendly. Disappointed to find out the shop will be moving starting April to 9961 E. Valley Blvd., El Monte, 9173 (at Baldwin, north side on Valley across the street from McDonald). It’s so convenient to pick up this duck and have lunch at Hui Tou Xiang.

More of a take out than a sit in «duck» restaurant. Almost all food is cold and pre-​cooked. Got half a salted duck for $ 13.49+tax (raised prices) and cash only. The duck tastes pretty good with red wine. What I like most about the duck is quite lean which is healthier than regular roasted ducks. Think of this as a duck appetizer take out store and nothing else. Mandarin is the only spoken language here.

When you come into this humble kitchen, you may be a bit underwhelmed by the limited menu. After all, many of us today are spoiled (and paralyzed) by the seemingly limitless choices offered in the books that most restaurants present as menus. Perhaps it’s a tactic to appeal to all by giving a million choices, and to keep us coming back to constantly try something new. All the clutter reminds you that you can find the same thing prepared the same way in almost any other restaurant.
In any case, Nanjing Kitchen doesn’t need such tactics. The newest furnishings or a book of choices is unnecessary because their food is an embodiment of the old; delicious local delicacies that have been been passed down for generations. The beauty of this kitchen is in its simplicity. They don’t need flashy menus or decorations; the delicious food keeps you coming back for more. They may only make a few dishes, but you’ll be coming back for more because you can’t find any other place that makes those dishes quite the same.
I used to think Nanjing Salted Duck was simply a salty, rubbery, oily, and overall bland duck appetizer. That’s because many places use the cheapest ducks and rush the cooking process. Here, they slowly cook lean, free range ducks. They let the natural. It’s pricier than some other places but you get what you pay for. The turkey gizzard is also a good choice for an appetizer. It has an interesting texture that’s chewy and a a little bit crunchy (like tendon but softer) with a taste that’s far more addicting than chips. Seriously, you can’t just have one.
The star of this restaurant is the wonton soups. You get a bowl filled to the brim with a light, savory soup, and delicious handmade wontons. Depending on which one you choose, there may also be veggies and meat floating around in the soup. This is a mellow comfort food that’s not overwhelmingly salty or greasy like a lot of comfort (and Chinese) foods tend to be.
Overall, this kitchen may have a simple menu, but the love and care they put into their food sets them apart from any other place.

I’m giving 5 stars for their salted duck — it is really, really good. their noodles are okay, but if you come here, just go straight for the duck. you won’t regret it!

To be fair I have never had this style of duck so I have nothing to compare it to.
Service was excellent. The woman who works there is soo nice. She only speaks mandarin and even though my mandarin is horrible she tried to make conversation
I can see how this would be perfect with a nice clean blander duck noodle soup. I was amazed that it still had a tender texture.
Although I would not come back unless I was going to eat this with soup (because it’s too salty by itself) I think the flavor and quality are good for something I’ve never tried. And the kind service was u expected.
Food wise it’s three stars because I am not craving this but i feel it was good quality because the texture of duck is tricky and flavor was on point, therefore 4 stars for quality and service.

My first time having salted duck. It was very tasty. Didn’t think you can get duck meat that lean! It wasn’t dry at all and the flavor was nice, not overbearing with salt as you think it would be because of its name. I also had some of the gizzard as well. Very tender meat. There’s a first time for everything, and now that I’ve tried this place, I’ll definitely be back. Hopefully I can try some of their other entrées.

The Service: Very efficient and accommodating. If they let them know you are bringing the Nanjing Salted Duck to a party, they will do a beautiful job plating it, nice presentation.
The Food: LOVE LOVE LOVE their Nanjing Salted Duck. The meat is super tender. Not too salty. Very flavorful, once you have one piece… you want more! Definitely very authentic!

Yes, salted duck. And process-​wise, it’s one of those old world recipes that you really don’t want to do at home because it will take you days to achieve what this great little place has done for decades at its best (and even then, yours will probably be fattier, more chewy, and less flavorful, just because…) Since the ducks only come as ½ or whole, I’m told many coming solo for lunch opt for a turkey leg instead (which are just as tasty, and just a bit more chewy than the ducks.)
Since everyone else has been effusive about the birds, let’s cover the noodles instead. They are prepared like having a summertime in Shanghai — light balanced poultry-​based broths with seasonal greens, and fresh noodles (thin-​style wheat ones, kind of reminding you of ramen’s roots in China) The tricky part is that he really only has take-​out boxes prepared for the poultry, so it’s difficult to do take-​out and keep the broth separate unless you (plan ahead) and bring your own separate broth container to keep your noodles from over-​soaking and getting soggy. But eating-​in gets everything at its peak.
Use your Google Earth and do a streetview of what typical Shanghai noodle duck shops look like, and you’ll see what you’re in for here — still has the original unused steam tables from when it was a cheap take-​out AYCE place (because they’re fine for storage), and only 5 small tables (don’t plan to bring your family of 20 unless you plan to rent the whole place).
It’s incredibly fun that we have treasures of the real stuff scattered among all the commercial places in the SoCal region, and like most of them, they’re tucked in the back of some non-​descript strip mall quietly awaiting discovery by the next adventurous diner. But lucky, you, you have Unilocal,and search engines to save the randomness for others less well-​equipped. And now you have a genuine place for salted duck without having to fly a half-​day to Shanghai (and jet lag) to get it.
nb. It’s an odd coincidence that so many of the great Shanghai places are really near to El Pollo Locos. Maybe they’re like golden snitches?

As a native of Nanjing，I think this is probably the best Nanjing salty duck I have ever eaten. Full of flavor and the amount of saltiness is just about right. $ 28 after tax for the whole duck is not cheap but very well worth it, considering the amount of effort they have put forth in making this duck. Would have given them six stars if the rating system allows it.

The best salted duck in the SGV area, hands down! This unassuming little shop doesn’t really seem to sell anything else, but the truth is that they don’t have to. They make salted duck and they do a darn good job at it!
The price may seem a bit high at first, but keep in mind that they give a very generous meat-​to-​bone ratio. Every now and then, I’ll drop by and buy a whole duck to take home. Then I’ll have solid food to go with my homemade noodles or rice for a whole week.
Give it a try and you won’t regret it!

The salted duck and turkey leg are the best in town bar none. The braised beef shank and pork beat what you get at Dai Ho by a mile. They do an awesome job of slicing the meat as well — thin and even.

A friend of mine had purchased a whole duck for dinner. Flavor was good. I heard they are also known for their wonton’s. I will come back and try that next !!

$ 24 for a whole duck (marinated in salty goodness)! This is what they specialize in, you can order at the store or over the phone. Best to eat day of, instead of keeping it in the fridge for too long. :)

We drove here from Irvine, just to taste the ducks and wonton. And they are wonderful. Anyone who is interested in Nanjing food should definitely give this place a try.

As a Nanking native, I definitely recommend this restaurant. The salted duck here is really authentic! Salted turkey is great as well, but personally I prefer the ducks as the meat is softer.

Order the Nanjing Salted Duck! That’s the only reason to come here and it’s a fantastic reason! This is what the shop specialize in. This is what they have mastered. Come in and order half or a whole duck to go. The employees will smile when you do so, like they are proud and happy to share their secret duck dish with you because they know you will appreciate all the hard work that goes into making this one simple dish.
Nanjing Salted duck may not be very familiar to most of us but it dates back hundreds of years to before the era of the Qing dynasty and Nanjing is the «duck capital of China.» The tender white duck meat contains fat but isn’t greasy in the least.
There is even a very detailed Wikipedia entry on Nanjing salted duck and they mention this California outpost, saying that the ducks had to be of a perfect size and the only purveyor that was satisfactory to the owners was located in Indiana.
The ducks are cooked, rubbed with spices, pickled and then hung to dry. It’s an elaborate process that produces the simplest presented duck. Elegance is always wrapped in the guise of simplicity.

Forget the English menu and noodles. Don’t plan to eat here. Instead, get a Nanjing Salted Duck to go. It’s been the secret that has kept Nanjing Kitchen open for 12 years, but hidden on Unilocal (only 7 reviews). Food critic Jonathan Gold discovered it in 2006 … now it’s your turn.
Salty, briny, fragrant, white, and cold slices of Nanjing Salted Duck (including bones) won’t be for everyone. It’s an acquired taste … loved by millions. Nanjing is the «Capital of Duck» in China and Nanjing Salted Duck is the reason why. The tender delicious Nanjing style is nothing like Cantonese Roast Duck, Shanghai Braised Duck, Sichuan Crispy Duck, or Beijing (Peking) Duck.
Go early in the day if possible, because the owner said they sell out often. We got a half duck ($ 12) to go. The maroon meat (still on the bone) and white skin is as unique as the salty taste & tender texture. It’s best served cold (like revenge) as a main dish or a side. No sauce is really needed at all as all the flavor is cooked right into the duck. It is hard to stop eating once you get started and perfect when combined with beer or wine.
In a refrigerator by the entrance, are Nanjing Duck Legs, Duck Wings, Duck Heads, Duck Neck, Duck Feet, and other Duck packaged to go, but my recommendation is to order a Half or Whole Duck for the most meat and less freak.
The restaurant isn’t fancy and cash only. We later saw people eating bowls of duck & noodles, but I came for one thing and one thing only: Nanjing Salted Duck. You should, too.

4.5 stars.
This place is amazing. My family has been buying Nanjing Salted Duck here since like, 2002. Last came here on ½/​2013 (drove all the way up from OC). The duck here is tastier than any that I’ve had in Asia (including Taiwanese salted duck).
It’s run by a super nice old couple – they pretty much sell only salted duck and other salted meats.
Surprisingly, the duck is from the Midwest by a certain supplier… and it tastes PERFECT. There is just the right amount of fat under the skin, and its seasoned so that the salt and other flavors literally go right into the bone. You can bite into a thinner piece of duck down to the marrow and you will taste the seasoning.
The duck meat is never chewy, the skin is not gross and the fatty layer is superbly thin — thin enough that I usually eat it cold, with a small side of garlic srircha (green cap, not squeeze bottle). If I’m feeling fancy, I add a bit of chopped cilantro.
Sometimes they do not prepare enough duck so if you come here late in the day, call first and see if they have a duck left. If you buy a whole duck, they cut it into 2 boxes or 1 box. Its $ 21 +tax. You can also buy just half a duck. The duck does NOT come with the neck portion. I was told by the owner that the supplier does not provide that part, so he sells it separately. Knife skills are great, btw. I love how thin the pieces are – just right for munching as a snack or along side some noodles.
There has only been a few times where the duck meat itself is gamey… but that’s rarely happened.

Update: After visiting Nanjing recently, I have to say the salted ducks at this restaurant is as good (and IMO better) than any salted duck I tried in 3 different restaurants in Nanjing. It’s not only the real thing, it’s better than the real thing.
Original:
I give 5 stars to the food this place sells. It is mostly known for its salted ducks (Nanjing flavor) and turkey legs and wings. Once you’ve tried the ducks and turkeys at this place, you’ll never want to try similar items at other restaurants.
The place is small but clean. Parking isn’t too bad most of the time and you can always find parking on the side street if the plaza itself is full. The restaurant is quiet and you probably won’t see anyone dining in as most people order items to go.
A few people I know that lived in the area (just outside of Nanjing) all say this place is authentic. The menu items are very limited to say the least but the items it does sell are excellent.

Nanjing Style Salted Duck– might seem similar to Cantonese or Taiwanese Salted Duck. but you know what, this place hits the spot.
This type of duck is based on a ‘master sauce’ concept where the broth used to cook this duck is going to going to be used in the next duck, and the duck after that, and after many iterations, you have a ‘master sauce’ that consist of all the flavorings and broth from the ducks before it. a super stock so-​to-​speak.
What this place does so well is execute that sauce with just the right about of salt so that the meat is deeply seasoned and to just the right amount. Other places that do this tend to either under or over soak their duck, so to make it not salty or way too salty.
That duck is a 5 star duck; but overall, I couldn’t give it a full five stars because this place is more of a duck takeout than a restaurant, or let alone much of a place to actually have a meal?