In North Texas, some of the most compelling Chinese restaurants are just outside Dallas proper, where chefs are afforded both space and a loyal, food-curious audience. Duck & Dumpling, located along Plano’s Central Expressway corridor, fits squarely into that tradition. The restaurant was conceived around two deceptively simple ideas—duck done well and dumplings made by hand—and has quietly built a reputation by executing both with care, restraint, and consistency.
Duck & Dumpling leans into classical Chinese comfort cooking, allowing technique, broth, and texture to do the heavy lifting. The result is a menu that feels thoughtful and deeply satisfying, particularly for diners who value warmth and craftsmanship over spectacle.
Duck as the Centerpiece
Duck is not a novelty here—it is the backbone of the menu, treated with the respect it demands. The Peking Duck is the restaurant’s signature offering and justifiably so. The skin arrives crisp and lacquered, delicately separated from tender, aromatic meat beneath. Served traditionally for sharing, it balances richness with restraint, allowing the natural savoriness of the duck to shine rather than overwhelming it with sauce.
Equally compelling is the restaurant’s duck soup, a deeply comforting bowl built on a slow-simmered broth that carries unmistakable depth. The flavor is rounded and clean, with a richness that lingers rather than weighs. It’s the kind of dish that quietly demonstrates patience in the kitchen—nothing flashy, just profoundly well made…