Where does Peking Duck come from?

Peking Duck — country of origin: China.

What is Peking Duck made of?

Duck, maltose syrup, hoisin sauce, mandarin pancake, spring onion, cucumber.

Which allergens does Peking Duck contain?

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains soybeans and soybean products.

How do you pronounce Peking Duck?

北京烤鸭 (Chinese) is pronounced /pei˨˩˦ tɕiŋ˥ kʰau˨˩˦ ja˥/.

Peking Duck

北京烤鸭Pronunciation (IPA) /pei˨˩˦ tɕiŋ˥ kʰau˨˩˦ ja˥/

A whole duck, air-dried and roasted to a lacquered, crackling skin, carved and rolled with spring onion, cucumber and hoisin sauce in thin wheat pancakes — Beijing's signature dish, and one of China's best-known abroad.

Also known as: Běijīng Kǎoyā · Peking Roast Duck

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Cereals (gluten)

Wheat

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products

Soybeans

Contains soybeans and soybean products

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Peking duck is a whole duck, air-dried, then roasted until the skin turns deep mahogany and shatters like glass. It is Beijing's signature dish, and probably China's best-known dish abroad.

What it really is

The duck is prepared days ahead: air is pumped between skin and flesh to separate them, the skin is scalded, then coated in a maltose glaze and hung to dry overnight in a cool draught. It roasts hanging in a closed oven, or over fruitwood in the older Beijing style, so the fat renders through the skin while the meat stays moist beneath. The skin alone is judged — thin, taut and crackling, with barely a rim of fat under it.

The carving is part of the dish. The whole duck reaches the table and is sliced in front of the diners, skin separated from meat first in tradition-minded restaurants.

How it is served

Thin wheat pancakes, warmed so they fold without cracking.
Spring onion and cucumber in matchsticks, hoisin sauce spooned on first.
Rolled at the table — one duck usually serves several diners.

Say if it is carved tableside — that is the point of ordering it.
Note the lead time: a proper duck is roasted to order, not held ready.
The pancakes are wheat, and hoisin sauce carries soy and usually wheat too.

Typical ingredients

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Frequently asked questions

What is Peking Duck?: A whole duck, air-dried and roasted to a lacquered, crackling skin, carved and rolled with spring onion, cucumber and hoisin sauce in thin wheat pancakes — Beijing's signature dish, and one of China's best-known abroad.
Where does Peking Duck come from?: Peking Duck — country of origin: China.
What is Peking Duck made of?: Duck, maltose syrup, hoisin sauce, mandarin pancake, spring onion, cucumber.
Which allergens does Peking Duck contain?: Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains soybeans and soybean products.
What is Peking Duck also known as?: Běijīng Kǎoyā, Peking Roast Duck.
How do you pronounce Peking Duck?: 北京烤鸭 (Chinese) is pronounced /pei˨˩˦ tɕiŋ˥ kʰau˨˩˦ ja˥/. Select the speaker button next to the dish name to hear it.