This Halal roast duck is truly Mantap, but you need to hear this before you go
qponx
2026-01-24
Craving authentic Halal Chinese food? Fat Duck in Menteng might be your new favorite spot! Their Signature Roast Duck is a showstopper, with crispy skin that melts in your mouth. Don't miss the amazing supporting dishes like the Exploding Black Sesame Balls and tender Black Pepper Beef. This review also gives a crucial heads-up on potential wait times and why reservations are an absolute must, so you can plan your visit perfectly for this popular feast.
Every time I want to invite my Muslim friends for a proper Chinese meal, picking a place is a huge headache. It's either not Halal, or the taste is just not quite right. That is, until last week when a friend dragged me to this place, Fat Duck, in Menteng, claiming it's the Halal king of Jakarta's roast duck scene. I was skeptical at first...
Turns out, it was actually amazing! 🤣
The Duck is the Star, but the Supporting Dishes are God-Tier Too
Let's talk about the duck first. The moment the Signature Roast Duck[1] arrives at the table, that glistening, crispy skin just makes your mouth water. The server will slice it for you—one portion of skin, one portion of meat. That skin, dipped in a bit of sugar, melts in your mouth, filling it with a rich, fatty aroma. Absolutely incredible! Wrapping the duck meat in a thin pancake with cucumber strips and sweet bean sauce, mmm, it's that familiar taste. The meat is tender and juicy, not dry at all.
But what really blew my mind were the supporting dishes!
Promise me, you have to order the Exploding Black Sesame Balls (Onde-onde)[2]! Anjay! The outer shell is fried to a perfect crisp, and the moment you bite into it, the warm black sesame filling just explodes in your mouth like a bomb. That texture is simply heavenly!
And the Black Pepper Beef[3]—the beef is unbelievably tender, and the black pepper sauce is rich and flavorful. It's super good with rice, a must-order for big eaters!
Let's Be Real, the Cons are as Obvious as the Pros
Alright, mindless praise isn't my style. Even though this place has a 4.9 rating on Google, there are some things about the experience I have to mention.
First, be prepared to wait. It gets insanely crowded during weekend meal times, and the environment can be a bit noisy. We waited almost 30 minutes for our roast duck[4], and I was so hungry I was seeing stars. Plus, a friend told me that the last time he came, the duck was a bit cold when it was served. I hope the restaurant can be more consistent with its quality control.
Second, the price and portion size. The five of us spent about 1 million IDR, which is around 200k per person. For a Chinese meal in the Menteng area, that's pretty standard. But some of the dim sum, like the Xiao Long Bao[5], felt a bit small. You can finish one in a single bite, which left me wanting more.
Editor's Key Takeaways (Get Your Notebooks Ready 📝)
For the girls planning to Nongkrong here, take note of these tips to avoid any trouble!
- Parking: There are very few parking spots in front of the restaurant. I highly recommend using the Valet[6] service, otherwise, looking for parking in Menteng will make you question your life choices. But be aware, I've heard the valet service is sometimes"temporarily" unavailable during lunchtime, so it's a bit of a gamble.
- Reservations: If you're going on a weekend, promise me, you MUST! MAKE! A! RESERVATION!
- Deals: On your birthday and within 7 days before or after, you get a 20% discount on the entire bill with a valid ID[7]! You have to take advantage of this deal!
- Special Needs: The restaurant has two floors but no elevator[8]. If you're bringing elderly family members or friends with mobility issues, be sure to reserve a table on the first floor.
- Business/Gatherings: They have VVIP rooms, some with KTV facilities[9], but there's a minimum charge of 3 million IDR[10] (including tax and service charge). It's suitable for company events or gatherings with your rich friends.
- Seriously, you *have* to get the 爆浆黑芝麻球 [1]! Crispy shell, then warm black sesame filling explodes in your mouth. Pure heaven!
- Jakarta's top 清真烤鸭 [2]! Duck skin with sugar melts, rich aroma. Meat is super tender and juicy, never dry.
- Don't miss out! Get 全单8折 [3] on your birthday (or 7 days before/after) with ID. Perfect for group meals!
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