Roasted Duck Calories Singapore: Duck Rice, Noodles & Every Order Compared

By NutriKaki Team · Updated June 2026 · 9 min read

Roasted duck rice is one of Singapore's most beloved hawker dishes — and one of the more misunderstood ones nutritionally. Unlike chicken rice, which gets scrutinised often, duck rice tends to fly under the radar. But a standard plate of roasted duck rice contains 580 to 672 calories, with a significant portion coming from the fat-rich skin and gravy.

This guide breaks down the exact calories for every roasted duck order at a Singapore hawker centre — from duck rice with and without skin, to duck noodles and duck porridge — so you can make an informed choice.

Roasted Duck Calories at a Glance

DUCK RICE (SKIN ON)

620 kcal / plate

DUCK RICE (SKIN OFF)

530 kcal / plate

DUCK NOODLES

560 kcal / bowl

Key insight: Removing the skin from roasted duck saves approximately 80–100 calories per plate. It's one of the easiest, most effective calorie reductions you can make at the hawker centre — just ask the aunty or uncle to skip the skin.

Full Nutrition Breakdown

Duck Dish	Serving	Calories	Protein	Fat	Carbs	Sodium
Roasted duck rice (skin on)	1 plate (~420g)	620 kcal	28g	22g	72g	~900mg
Roasted duck rice (skin off)	1 plate (~390g)	530 kcal	28g	12g	72g	~820mg
Duck noodles (dry)	1 bowl (~380g)	560 kcal	26g	16g	68g	~980mg
Duck noodles (soup)	1 bowl (~480g)	510 kcal	27g	13g	62g	~1100mg
Duck porridge (congee)	1 bowl (~400g)	380 kcal	22g	9g	52g	~750mg
Duck meat only (no rice, no skin)	100g	190 kcal	24g	10g	0g	~280mg

Why Duck Rice Is Higher in Calories Than It Looks

Roasted duck rice has three main calorie contributors: the white rice, the duck meat with skin, and the accompanying sauce or gravy. The rice alone accounts for approximately 220–250 kcal depending on portion. The duck pieces — typically 2 to 3 pieces per plate — contribute 250–320 kcal with skin on or 150–200 kcal with skin removed. The plum sauce, soy-based dipping sauce, or gravy adds a further 30–80 kcal.

The skin is the pivotal variable. Duck skin is significantly fattier than chicken skin — it contains roughly 28g of fat per 100g of skin — and a typical serving of roasted duck includes two to three pieces, each with a generous layer of skin. Removing all of the skin can save 80 to 120 calories per plate.

⚠️ The gravy trap: Duck rice is often served with a sweet-soy gravy or dark sauce poured over the rice. This gravy is high in sodium (sometimes 300–400mg per tablespoon) and adds 60–100 kcal. Asking for sauce on the side lets you control how much you use.

Roasted Duck vs Braised Duck vs Peking Duck

Duck Type	Preparation	Calories (per plate)	Key difference
Roasted duck (烧鸭)	Char siu-style roasting	620 kcal	Crispy skin, dry heat rendering
Braised duck (卤鸭 / lor ark)	Slow-braised in soy/spices	600–640 kcal	Skin stays soft, absorbs braising liquid
Peking duck	Air-dried, then roasted	680–750 kcal	Thicker skin, served with pancake + hoisin
Duck porridge	Congee with duck pieces	380 kcal	Watered-down congee base, smaller duck portion

Roasted Duck vs Chicken Rice: Which Is Healthier?

This is one of the most common hawker food questions. The answer depends on how you order.

Steamed chicken rice comes in at around 490 kcal. Roasted chicken rice is closer to 570 kcal. Roasted duck rice sits at 580–620 kcal. So duck rice is comparable to roasted chicken rice, and both are notably higher than steamed chicken rice.

However, duck has one key nutritional advantage over chicken: it is significantly higher in iron. Duck meat contains nearly three times the iron of chicken, making it a better choice for anyone monitoring their iron intake or at risk of anaemia. Duck also provides more zinc and selenium than chicken.

Bottom line: If you're purely counting calories, steamed chicken rice wins. If you're looking at overall nutrition including iron and micronutrients, duck rice is a respectable hawker choice — especially if you skip the skin.

How to Order Roasted Duck to Reduce Calories

Skip the skin Ask for your duck pieces without skin. Saves 80–120 kcal. ~100 kcal saved per plate

Sauce on the side Avoid gravy poured over rice. Dip instead of drizzle. ~60–80 kcal saved

Ask for less rice Request half a scoop of rice to drop 100–120 kcal. ~110 kcal saved

Choose duck porridge The congee version is ~240 kcal lighter than duck rice. ~240 kcal saved vs rice

Skip the egg A braised egg adds about 70–80 kcal if offered as a side. ~75 kcal saved

Add a side of vegetables Order a plate of blanched chye sim or kailan. Fills you up for under 50 kcal. Better satiety, fewer total cals

Roasted Duck vs Other Singapore Hawker Mains

Hawker Dish	Calories
Steamed chicken rice	490 kcal
Duck porridge	380 kcal
Roasted chicken rice	570 kcal
Roasted duck rice (skin off)	530 kcal
Roasted duck rice (skin on)	620 kcal
Nasi lemak with chicken wing	650 kcal
Curry laksa	569 kcal

Is Roasted Duck Rice Good for Weight Loss?

Roasted duck rice is not a weight-loss meal, but it can fit into a calorie-controlled diet if ordered carefully. The key modifications are: remove the skin (saves ~100 kcal), ask for less rice (saves ~110 kcal), and take sauce on the side. With these adjustments, you can bring a duck rice plate down to approximately 420–470 kcal — similar to a bowl of fishball noodles.

Duck meat without skin is also a good protein source (~24g per 100g), which helps with satiety and muscle retention during weight loss. The higher iron content versus chicken is an added benefit for those who are active and need to support red blood cell production.

For a full guide to losing weight while eating hawker food, see our hawker food weight loss guide.

Track Your Duck Rice Intake with NutriKaki

Know exactly what's in your duck rice plate

NutriKaki uses HPB Singapore data to give you accurate calorie and nutrition counts for roasted duck rice, braised duck, and every hawker dish you eat.

Track duck rice calories free on NutriKaki → Download NutriKaki on iOS — App Store → Download NutriKaki on Android — Google Play →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories is roasted duck rice in Singapore?

A standard plate of roasted duck rice at a Singapore hawker centre contains approximately 580 to 672 calories. The range depends on the portion size, whether skin is included, and the type of sauce or gravy served. A leaner order with skin removed and less rice comes closer to 480–530 kcal.

Is roasted duck healthier than chicken rice?

Roasted duck rice tends to have more calories than steamed chicken rice (which is about 490 kcal) but is comparable to roasted chicken rice (around 570 kcal). Duck does have higher fat content due to its thicker skin, but duck meat itself is richer in iron — it has nearly three times the iron of chicken.

How many calories does removing the duck skin save?

Removing the skin from roasted duck saves approximately 80–120 calories per serving. Duck skin is high in saturated fat, so skipping it is one of the most effective ways to reduce calories. Asking the hawker to skip the skin is a commonly accepted request.

Is duck meat good for weight loss?

Duck meat without skin is a good source of protein (about 24g per 100g) and provides more iron than chicken. However, the overall calorie count of a typical duck rice plate (580–672 kcal) is high for a single meal if you are aiming for a 500 kcal meal. Portion control and skipping the skin are key.

Which is higher in calories — roasted duck or braised duck rice?

Braised duck rice (lor ark) is generally similar in calories to roasted duck rice, ranging from 580 to 640 kcal per plate. Some research suggests braised duck retains slightly more fat because the braising process keeps the skin on throughout cooking. Roasted duck has a crispier, rendered skin that can be easier to remove.

How much protein is in roasted duck rice?

A standard plate of roasted duck rice with 2–3 pieces of duck provides approximately 24–32g of protein. The rice adds minimal protein (about 4–5g). Duck is also a good source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins.