Dian Xiao Er: This Restaurant in Singapore Serves Award-Winning Herbal Roast Duck

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This article is part of the Singapore Food Trip 2025 series. Check out the installments in this series: Kek Eng Kee Seafood (Zi Char) | The Coconut Club (Nasi Lemak and Malay Food)

When Jewel Changi Airport was newly opened, one of the restaurants I tried there was Dian Xiao Er. I was curious of the restaurant because it specializes on Herbal Roast Duck. Their version is one of the better tasting ones I’ve ever tried!

Dian Xiao Er in Jewel Changi Airport back in 2019

So I was happy when a couple-friend invited us to Dian Xiao Er during our recent Singapore trip. I already knew that we’ll have a good meal!

Dian Xiao Er was founded by Samuel Yik in 2002. It started with one restaurant in Chinatown and is now a growing chain and a household name in Singapore.

Interestingly, the words “xiao er” means “waiter” in ancient times, signifying the restaurant’s warmth and hospitality. True enough, the auntie who served us was friendly and helpful.

Let’s talk about the food starting with star of the show, the Herbal Roast Duck. Dian Xiao Er’s version is the world’s number one herbal roast duck in 2023 according to Frost & Sullivan’s global market research on herbal roast duck sales volume.

Dian Xiao Er have three varieties: Angelica Herb, Ten Wonder Herbs, and Wild Ginseng. I’m not sure what variety our friend ordered. But one thing I’m sure: It’s delicious! It has crisp skin, succulent and tender meat, and a pleasant herbal flavor. Our friend even told us that its flavor is the same as the ones sold in China.

Their Roasted Iberico Char Siew (barbecued pork) is also delicious. It’s tender and fatty, with a nice sweetness and caramelization.

We also tried the Steamed Cod Fish with Soy Sauce. The fish tastes clean, and the sauce has a nice flavor.

To balance our meal, we had the Lettuce with Oyster Sauce, which has crisp veggies. I never would’ve thought that lettuce could be stir-fried. I thought it’s only for salad or Korean barbecue. LOL.

My wife and I are allergic to crustaceans. So instead of having their usual fried rice which has shrimp, we ate what I believe is called Thunder Tea Fried Rice. It’s inspired by Thunder Tea Rice, a traditional Hakka (a Chinese ethnolinguistic group) dish which is composed of rice, herbs, vegetables and served with a tea-based herbal broth.

The fried rice is super smoky. Just stirring it releases a whiff of smokiness. It also has a strong herb flavor (we think tarragon is one), silky fried tofu, and crispy rice on top, adding to the texture. This is my second favorite dish at Dian Xiao Er, next to the Herbal Roast Duck.

Dian Xiao Er serves great food (everything we tried is delicious, especially the Herbal Roast Duck). And true to its name, they have good service. So if you love roast duck,

I suggest you visit Dian Xiao Er in your next Singapore food trip. I highly recommend it to you!

For Dian Xiao Er branches and operating times, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as their Website.

P.S. Thank you to our couple-friend who treated us to Dian Xiao Er!