Forbidden City Restaurant

This restaurant has giving me a great curiosity and challenged me to have a lunch here: 1. Why someone named a restaurant a FORBIDDEN CITY? It's very COOL like a movie title, but it's not. 2. It have a neon sign when open, even in the afternoon. It's weird but interesting for me! 3. the interior was not very inviting but at the same time very authentic?? 4. And then.. Serving an authentic chinese peking duck as a recommended menu?? 5. Some of the so-called Halal food wasn't leave a good impressions but okay I give it a try. I came with my wife on her birthday because she's craving peking duck from a long time, and we growing curiosity in this restaurant together. We ordered Roasted duck and Corn soup. The soup arrived first. My impressions is positive. The flavour was balanced. When you put some soy sauce and chilli oil, it hits different!! It was very perfect because we eating when outside is rainy so it warm our mouth, head and body. The roasted pecking duck became our "main course", along with the rice. We are very overwhelmed with the flavour. It's juicy, delicious, crispy skin... We could never want anything more than this!! The last bite still feel it's was first bite.. What an experience. When we finished and wanna pay, I never expected this: they selling the chilli oil!! Chilli oil here is very mandatory and never skip this on every meals here. Forbidden City is a proof that your restaurant doesn't have to be a gimmicky interior and striking sign to be a good restaurant. The name itself, the food, is enough reason to you why you should stop here and go home with the stuffed stomach. Very recommended.

Abdul Razzaq

I found the balance of flavour in all the dishes too much on the sweet side for me and the orange beef lacked a crispy batter.

Helen Joe

If you’re looking for an authentic halal Chinese restaurant with great food, large servings and quick service, this is the place to be. Bookings are recommended as they do get filled up some nights. I’ve been to many Chinese restaurants and this sits well on top of my list and the food is always consistent and service is quick no matter how busy they are.

Eugene T

Anyone who asks for the best Peking duck in Wellington, this is where you come! They have the best chef from Beijing and you get so much meat! You can choose "one way", 2 ways (Peking duck with noodle stir fry) or 3 ways (duck bone soup) basically just use the rest of the duck and not wasting them. We got the 3 ways and the soup is nice and refreshing, noodles we could live without but it's fine. Bonus is their cold dish mung bean noodles is the best I've ever had and love their stir fried eggplant with mince stuffing.

Pei-Ying Pan

My favorite Chinese restaurant which is halal! It’s not the easy to find a halal Chinese restaurant in Wellington and the surrounding areas so this one instantly become my fave! My family and I love the duck menu, be it crispy roast duck as well as pecking duck. We usually order the fish, sweet and sour or steam one, as well as the soup as appetizers. My fave is chicken and corn as well as hot and sour soups. Don’t forget to try the braised eggplants and crispy fried tofu, as well as dumplings and chicken wings. The fried rice is also lovely. The portions are big enough to share for 2-3 people. The price is moderate, might be a bit higher than other Chinese restaurant but this one is halal, so it’s a big advantage for us Muslims. The service is fast. Some staff are friendly, some are less friendly, but they are very efficient. Parking spots are available but it can easily be filled up during rush hours. Check out the opening hours as they are close for lunch on Monday, but open for dinner if not mistaken. Happy to be back here again.

indah nuria Savitri