Emilia reviews a Box Hill restaurant known for one famous dish

Click PLAY to hear Emilia’s FULL review of Simon’s Peiking Duck 

Nestled in the heart of Box Hill South, Simon’s Peiking Duck is modest yet celebrated by locals who know it for its specialty: the famed Peking duck. Located along Station Street, a strip of shops, Simon’s stands out for its focus on one of China’s most iconic dishes. 

The history of Simon’s Peiking Duck is intertwined with a deep respect for the craft of duck preparation. The restaurant’s namesake, Simon, was both the owner and head chef, having spent years honing his skills before opening the establishment, before he passed in 2018 and handed on his skills. It’s the kind of place where conversation flows easily around round tables, shared long tables through the middle and smaller tables around the outside, customers sit back at the paper-lined tables destined to finish a lot messier than when you arrive.

The three-course menu at Simon’s Peiking Duck is straightforward yet delectable. You start with the main, which could feel backwards but instead is actually my favourite approach to any meal; start with the thing you most want to eat. There’s only two options on the menu and they’re both variations of the set menu. It’s the ultimate way of saying, “you just eat, we’ll feed you”.

If you were paying attention when you entered, you would’ve seen your duck being carved with precision and flair before it gets carefully placed in a circle around wings and drumsticks, presenting the pieces on a large platter. The chef comes over with the kit, tossing pancakes onto your plate with a casual, almost theatrical flair, before proceeding to plate it all up for you with cucumber, spring onion and their notoriously good plum sauce.

The duck itself is impressive. The skin is thin and the crispiest I’ve ever had, with just the right balance of fattiness beneath it, while the meat is moist and tender. The pancakes are thin and delicate, along with the slivers of spring onion and hoisin sauce that accompany the dish. 

The second course is a duck bone broth with tofu, deeply flavorful, enriched with the duck, and perfectly balances the richness of the main course. Coming off a run of sickness in the last couple of weeks this is the kind of heart warming broth I’d been needing. 

Last course was a stir fried duck, bean sprouts and your choice of noodles. Based on their recommendation I went with the crispy egg noodle without a second of regret. The stir fry sauce lapped the crunch of the noodles making the perfect balance. 

Though Simon’s Peiking Duck is fully licensed, it’s worth noting that the alcohol menu is somewhat sparse, with a limited selection of wines and beers. The restaurant is BYO, and this is a great option if you want to pair your meal with something specific.

By the end of the courses you’ve eaten through the whole duck, nothing wasted and based on how good it was there was also nothing wasted that hit the table in front of us. So, what does a whole duck and sides set you back? I was in disbelief when I was told on the phone the whole duck was $89, I asked, repeatedly I might add, if that was per person? No, $89 for the whole duck, that includes sides. That serves 2-3 people. So I took two people with me just in case, for three of us to eat it was still just $89. Amazing value. With a glass of wine, beer or soft drink each we left there having spent a whole $112. 

Considering the incredible quality, service and expertise that goes into each meal at Simon’s. OK I’ve gotten this far into this review having to write ‘peiking’ spelt wrong. Why you ask? The answer is apparently just because Simon was a quirky guy like that. 

Another memorable aspect of the dining experience at Simon’s is the relaxed, almost familial atmosphere. While the chef is deeply involved in the preparation and service of the duck, there’s a certain informality to the place. During my visit, the chef who took over from Simon when he passed in 2018 was seen sitting with his friends while waiting for the next round of orders. The laid-back vibe reinforces the sense that Simon’s Peking Duck is more than just a business; it’s a passion project where good food is the priority, not pretension.

Simon’s Peiking Duck

197B Middleborough Road

Box Hill South

3128