Peking Menu with Prices, Calories and Popular Items
Searching for a Peking menu? Because "Peking" is a highly popular name for independent Chinese-American restaurants and regional chains across the globe, menus and prices naturally vary by city. Whether you are visiting a "Peking Garden," "Peking Gourmet," or a local "Peking Buffet," most follow a standardized Northern Chinese and Chinese-American culinary blueprint.
This comprehensive guide provides a representative look at the Peking menu, featuring average estimated prices, calorie context, and popular items like the iconic Peking Duck. We also cover value-saving lunch specials, allergen considerations for those avoiding gluten or MSG, and practical ordering tips to help you get the freshest meal. Please note that since these restaurants are often independently owned, you should always check your local store or delivery app for exact current pricing and availability in your neighborhood.
Official Source Verification
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can vary by location, delivery platform, and time. LatestMenus checks official restaurant sources where available and marks uncertain information clearly.
Latest Peking Menu Prices
Because independent restaurants manage their own ingredient sourcing and overhead, official pricing is not standardized globally. However, the Chinese-American menu taxonomy is highly consistent. The table below represents estimated average prices for a standard Peking menu in 2026. Pint (small) and Quart (large) sizes are commonly offered.
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pork Egg Roll (1) | Appetizer | $2.50 (Est.) | 220 | Quick side | Crispy wrapper; contains wheat and pork |
| Crab Rangoon (6 pcs) | Appetizer | $7.50 (Est.) | 450 | Sharing | Filled with sweet cream cheese and imitation crab |
| Pork Dumplings (6 pcs) | Appetizer | $8.95 (Est.) | 380 | Appetizer sharing | Available steamed or pan-fried |
| Wonton Soup (Pint) | Soup | $4.25 (Est.) | 140 | Light starter | Savory chicken broth with pork wontons |
| Peking Duck (Whole) | Signature | $55.00 (Est.) | 2,400+ | Special occasions | Serves 3-4; includes pancakes, scallions, hoisin |
| General Tso’s Chicken | Poultry | $14.95 (Est.) | 1,100 | Sweet & spicy fans | Battered, deep-fried chunks; served with rice |
| Beef with Broccoli | Beef | $16.50 (Est.) | 720 | Savory dinner | Flank steak in a rich ginger-garlic brown sauce |
| Shrimp in Lobster Sauce | Seafood | $17.25 (Est.) | 500 | Seafood lovers | Egg-based white wine garlic sauce; often has minced pork |
| Chicken Lo Mein | Noodles | $12.50 (Est.) | 850 | Kid-friendly | Soft wheat noodles stir-fried with vegetables |
| Lunch Special Combo | Value | $10.50 (Est.) | 700-900 | Budget dining | Includes entree, rice, and soup or egg roll |
Popular Menu Items
The items below are universally loved across independent Chinese-American restaurants. They form the core of what diners expect when they visit a Peking-branded location.
| Popular Item | Why People Order It | Price Note | Calorie Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peking Duck | The namesake dish features crispy lacquered skin and tender meat served with traditional pancakes and plum/hoisin sauce. | Premium priced ($45-$75) | High calorie due to roasting fats |
| General Tso’s Chicken | A staple of Chinese-American comfort food. It hits the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy. | Varies by location | Heavy (battered and fried) |
| Crab Rangoon | These crispy, sweet cream cheese wontons are a highly popular, highly shareable appetizer. | Usually $6-$9 | Moderate (fried cheese) |
| Beef with Broccoli | A non-fried, savory option that focuses on fresh green broccoli and tender, soy-marinated flank steak. | Moderate | Moderate-High (sauce heavy) |
Editor Picks: Best Things to Order
These are LatestMenus editorial recommendations based on available menu research, value, popularity, customization potential, and practical ordering usefulness. They are not official restaurant rankings.
Peking Duck (Half or Whole)
If you are dining at a restaurant that features "Peking" in the name, their signature roast duck is usually the house specialty and a must-order experience.
Lunch Special Combinations
For roughly $10-$12, you receive a full entree, a generous scoop of pork fried rice, and a starter like hot & sour soup or an egg roll. It's the best deal on the menu.
Quart-Sized Entrees & House Fried Rice
Skipping the individual combination plates in favor of ordering 2-3 large "Quart" entrees and a massive side of House Fried Rice is the most economical way to feed a family.
Steamed Mixed Vegetables (Buddha's Delight)
Most Peking menus offer a "diet menu" section featuring steamed broccoli, snow peas, and carrots. Requesting the sauce on the side gives you total control over sodium and oil.
General Tso's Chicken
The sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy battered chicken is the benchmark by which many judge a local Chinese-American takeout spot.
Kung Pao Chicken (or Tofu)
This dish is incredibly easy to customize. You can swap the protein, ask for extra peanuts, and dial the heat level up or down to your exact preference.
Cheapest Items and Best Value Picks
Navigating a Chinese restaurant menu efficiently can save you significant money, especially if you understand how portions are structured.
| Value Pick | Why It Can Be Good Value | Watch Out For | Best Ordering Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch Specials | Bundles an entree, rice, and a soup/appetizer for a flat, discounted rate. | Strict time limits (usually ends at 3:00 PM). | Order just before the lunch cutoff for dinner at a discount. |
| Quart (Large) Portions | A Quart size is double the food of a Pint, but usually only costs 40-50% more. | Does not always include a free side or egg roll like a combo. | Order a large entree to share rather than two small ones. |
| Direct Pickup Ordering | Avoids 15-30% platform markups from third-party delivery apps. | You have to drive to pick it up yourself. | Call the restaurant's local number listed on Google Maps. |
Calories and Nutrition Notes
Because independent Peking restaurants do not operate under a corporate franchise system, there are no legally mandated, standardized nutritional guides. The following notes are estimates based on traditional cooking methods.
| Menu Area | Nutrition Note | Best For | Source Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steamed Diet Dishes | Usually steamed in water without oil. Calories are extremely low. | Calorie counters; heart-healthy diets | Medium |
| Battered Poultry | Dishes like Sweet & Sour and Sesame Chicken are deep-fried and sugar-glazed, often exceeding 1,000 calories. | Occasional indulgences | Medium |
| Rice Options | Swapping Pork Fried Rice for Steamed White or Brown Rice saves considerable oil and sodium. | Lowering fat intake | Medium |
Allergen and Dietary Notes
Cross-contact in an independent Chinese restaurant is a very high risk due to shared woks, fryers, and cutting boards. If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy, you must communicate this directly to the restaurant staff.
| Dietary Need | What to Check | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Check for soy sauce and wheat noodles. | Standard soy sauce and brown sauces contain wheat. Request cornstarch-thickened "White Sauce" instead. |
| Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy | Kung Pao dishes, Szechuan items, and certain egg roll seals. | Inform staff so they can scrub a dedicated wok, as cross-contact with peanuts is common. |
| MSG Sensitivity | Ask the kitchen if they can prepare your dish "No MSG". | While pure MSG can often be omitted, some pre-made ingredients like oyster sauce contain naturally occurring glutamates. |
| Vegetarian/Vegan | Oyster sauce, chicken broth, and egg. | Specify vegan when ordering Tofu or Mixed Veggies to ensure the chef avoids using chicken broth as a sauce base. |
Special Menu Sections
The Lunch Special Menu
Available at almost every independent Chinese restaurant, the Lunch Menu is the undisputed king of value. Typically served from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, it scales down dinner portions slightly but bundles them with rice and an appetizer for an affordable flat rate.
| Item or Section | What It Includes | Price/Calorie Note | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lunch Combo | Main entree, fried/white rice, and an egg roll or small soup. | Usually $9.00 - $12.00 | Solo diners wanting a complete meal on a budget. |
Vegetarian Options
Most Peking restaurants are highly accommodating to plant-based diets, offering an entire section dedicated to bean curd (tofu) and fresh vegetables.
| Item or Section | What It Includes | Price/Calorie Note | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buddha's Delight | Broccoli, snow peas, water chestnuts, mushrooms, and carrots. | Typically under $12.00 / Low Calorie | Vegans and calorie counters. |
| Home Style Tofu | Fried tofu triangles stir-fried with mixed vegetables in a savory brown sauce. | Moderate Calories | Hearty, meat-free comfort food. |
Best For: Who This Menu Guide Helps
This Peking menu guide is designed to help several types of diners:
- Takeout Planners: People who want to estimate menu prices and group orders before calling in a dinner pickup.
- Value Seekers: Diners looking for lunch specials, combination platters, and the best ways to feed a family economically.
- Dietary Navigators: People with allergen or dietary concerns (gluten, MSG, soy) who need to know which dishes to avoid or customize.
- Comparison Shoppers: Readers trying to figure out if third-party delivery apps are marking up their favorite local restaurant. Like checking a Hong Kong Chinese restaurant menu, it helps to know what a standard dish should roughly cost in 2026.
Ordering Tips From LatestMenus
Maximize your value and guarantee the freshest food with these practical ordering strategies for independent Peking restaurants.
- Check the official app or local restaurant for exact prices. Menu prices can vary dramatically by city, restaurant overhead, and delivery platform.
- Order "Sauce on the Side" for crispy dishes. If you are picking up Sweet & Sour Chicken or General Tso's, keeping the sauce separate prevents the breading from getting soggy during the drive home.
- Compare combos with à la carte items. For large groups, ordering three Quart-sized entrees is often cheaper than ordering four individual dinner combination platters.
- Watch for delivery markups. Third-party delivery apps often inflate prices by 15-30%. Calling the restaurant directly for pickup is always cheaper.
- Use official nutrition and allergen pages before ordering. Because these are independent restaurants, exact recipes differ. Ask your local chef directly about cross-contact if you have a severe allergy.
- Ask for extra pancakes with your duck. A whole Peking Duck usually comes with a set amount of steamed pancakes. Ordering an extra pack (usually just $2-$3) ensures everyone at the table gets to make their own wraps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Peking menu include prices?
Because "Peking" is a common name used by independent restaurants rather than a single corporate chain, exact prices vary by location. The estimates in this guide represent average 2026 pricing, but you should always check your local establishment for current costs.
Is "Peking" a franchise or chain?
Generally, no. While you might find a localized "Peking Garden" with two or three locations in a single city, the name is mostly used by thousands of independent owners globally. This is very similar to how you might search for a China Star menu guide or check Great Wall menu prices.
What is the difference between Szechuan and Peking food?
Peking cuisine (Northern Chinese) features milder, savory, and sweet flavors, heavily utilizing garlic, scallions, wheat noodles, and hoisin pastes. Szechuan cuisine (Western Chinese) is famous for its fiery, mouth-numbing heat, utilizing hot chili oils and Szechuan peppercorns.
What are the most popular items to order?
The undisputed signature item is Peking Duck. For standard takeout, General Tso’s Chicken, Crab Rangoon, Beef with Broccoli, and Chicken Lo Mein are the most popular and commonly ordered items.
Where can I find calories for a Peking menu?
Because these are independent operations, official calorie counts are rarely published. You can use standard Chinese-American nutritional databases as a rough guide, but exact calories depend entirely on how heavy-handed the local chef is with cooking oil and sauces.
Does a Peking menu have gluten-free options?
Yes, but they require careful ordering. Most brown sauces (including the marinade for beef) contain soy sauce, which has wheat. To eat gluten-free, request steamed proteins and vegetables, or ask for dishes to be prepared in a cornstarch-thickened "White Garlic Sauce."
Can I get dishes made without MSG?
Yes. Many modern Peking restaurants have stopped adding pure MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) to their stir-fries. You can request "No MSG" when ordering, though note that some baseline ingredients like oyster sauce or chicken bouillon may naturally contain it.
What are the cheapest items on the menu?
Aside from small soups and egg rolls, the best overall value is the Lunch Special Combination (typically under $12). For dinner, ordering a large House Fried Rice or Lo Mein is a filling, budget-friendly way to feed multiple people.
Are delivery prices different?
Yes. If you order from a local Peking restaurant using Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub, expect the prices to be 15% to 30% higher to offset the commission fees charged by the platform. Calling the restaurant directly for pickup is always the cheapest option.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking to treat the family to a traditional Peking Duck or simply want a quick, affordable Lunch Special, the typical Peking menu offers a vast array of comforting Chinese-American classics. Because "Peking" restaurants are independently owned and operated, prices, portion sizes, and exact recipes will vary depending on your city. Use the estimated prices and practical ordering tips in this 2026 guide to plan your meal, but always check directly with your local restaurant for the most accurate pricing and allergen information before placing your order.
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can change by location, time, delivery platform, and restaurant updates. Always confirm the latest information with the official restaurant website, app, or your local restaurant before ordering. Information verified for 2026 where available.
