Peking duck
Beijing's roasted bird
Peking duck is a Chinese dish of roasted duck prized for its crispy, lacquered skin.
The duck is traditionally served sliced, wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions and hoisin sauce.
The dish originated in Beijing (formerly romanized as Peking) and remains a centerpiece of formal Chinese banquets: We ordered Peking duck for the table.
Fermented soybean-based condiment
- scallionsYoung onions with stalks
- cucumberCrisp edible gourd
- spring onionsYoung onions with greens
- sweet bean sauceFermented soybean condiment, sweetened
plum sauce · garlic paste · radish · sugar · steamed buns · condiments · garnishes · wrapping
Drying by ambient exposure
- lacqueredCoated with hard gloss
- inflatingCausing to expand
- cavityEmpty space within
- hangingExecution by noose
wood-fired · fruitwood · roasting · basting · rendering · crispy skin · pumping · glazing
Shaping by cutting away
- tablesideNext to seated diners
- slicingCutting into portions
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- platterLarge flat serving dish
courses · thin slices · ceremonial · sequence · arrangement
Brittle and snapping
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
- crackleSharp snapping sounds
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
- rendered fatFat melted from tissue
succulent · juicy · tender meat · contrast · brittle · caramelized · glossy · mahogany
Formal celebratory meal
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- reunion dinnerMeal when separated gather
- family gatheringRelatives meeting socially
special occasion · prosperity · auspicious · holiday feast · birthday · anniversary · business dinner · honored guests
Venues for large formal meals
- state dinnersFormal governmental diplomatic meals
- celebrity chefsFamous professional cooks
- formal diningStructured, ceremonial eating
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
specialty · authentic · traditional · origin · capital
hoisin sauce
Fermented soybean-based condiment
- scallionsYoung onions with stalks
- cucumberCrisp edible gourd
- spring onionsYoung onions with greens
plum sauce · sweet bean sauce · garlic paste · radish · sugar · steamed buns · condiments · garnishes · wrapping
air-drying
Drying by ambient exposure
hanging · wood-fired · fruitwood · roasting · basting · rendering · crispy skin · pumping · glazing · scoring
carving
Shaping by cutting away
- tablesideNext to seated diners
- slicingCutting into portions
- presentationFormal display to viewers
platter · courses · thin slices · ceremonial · sequence · arrangement
crispy
Brittle and snapping
rendered fat · succulent · juicy · tender meat · contrast · brittle · caramelized · glossy · mahogany · blistered
banquet
Formal celebratory meal
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- reunion dinnerMeal when separated gather
family gathering · special occasion · prosperity · auspicious · holiday feast · birthday · anniversary · business dinner · honored guests · centerpiece
banquet halls
Venues for large formal meals
- state dinnersFormal governmental diplomatic meals
- celebrity chefsFamous professional cooks
- formal diningStructured, ceremonial eating
reservation · specialty · authentic · traditional · origin · capital
- ChinaShanghai, Great Wall, Yellow River, Chinese calligraphy, Forbidden City
- ChinatownChinatown, dim sum, dragon dances, Chinese New Year, lion dances
- Crispy Skin Foodsfried chicken, chicharron, crackling, pork rinds, roast pork
- poultry dishesfried chicken, roast chicken, chicken wings, chicken soup, chicken curry
- roastsroast beef, roast chicken, roast turkey, roast pork, roast lamb
- Asian fusionorange chicken, General Tso's chicken, fried rice, lo mein, chow mein
Peking duckstir-fry
Quick-cook in hot oil
steamed fish · hot pot · braised duck · sushi · beef tartare
Peking duckinstant noodles
Fast-cooking dried pasta
rice and beans · fast food · plain rice · TV dinner · hardtack