The most classic way to eat Chinese duck, especially Peking duck, is to enjoy the crispy skin dipped in sugar.
Here's a breakdown of how it's typically eaten:
- The Skin: Often, the chef will carve thin slices of duck skin, prized for their crispiness, juiciness, and thin layer of fat.
- Dipping in Sugar: A common and highly regarded practice is to dip these skin slices in sugar and eat them plain. The sweetness of the sugar complements the richness of the duck fat.
Beyond the skin, the remaining duck meat is often served in other ways:
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With Pancakes (Mandarin Pancakes or Thin Crepes): This is another very popular method, particularly for Peking duck.
- Ingredients: Thin pancakes (similar to crepes), duck meat (sliced), scallions (cut into brushes or thin strips), and hoisin sauce.
- Assembly: Spread a thin layer of hoisin sauce on a pancake, add a few slices of duck meat, a few scallions, and then wrap it up like a small burrito.
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Other Dishes: The remaining duck carcass and meat can also be used in:
- Duck Soup: A flavorful broth made from the duck bones.
- Duck Stir-fries: The meat can be stir-fried with vegetables.
- Duck Fried Rice: A delicious way to use leftover duck meat.
In summary, enjoying Chinese duck involves a multi-course experience, starting with the prized skin dipped in sugar, followed by the meat served in pancakes, and potentially other dishes utilizing the remaining parts of the duck.
