Eight treasure duck facts for kids
Eight treasure duck served at Lin Heung Tea House
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| Alternative names | Eight treasures duck |
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| Associated national cuisine | Chinese |
| Main ingredients | Duck |
| Variations | Shanghai, Cantonese |
Eight treasure duck (Chinese: 八寶鴨; Mandarin Pinyin: bābǎoyā; Jyutping: baat3 bou2 ngaap3; literally "eight treasure duck"), also known as eight treasures duck, is a very special duck dish from China. It's famous in two main types of Chinese cooking: Shanghai and Cantonese food. The name "Eight Treasure Duck" comes from how it's made. It's a whole duck stuffed with eight different delicious ingredients, like rice, mushrooms, and shrimp.
What is Eight Treasure Duck?
This dish is a true feast! Imagine a whole duck that's been carefully prepared and then filled with a mix of tasty ingredients. The "eight treasures" can be different depending on where the dish is made. But they always add amazing flavors and textures to the duck. It's a dish often served for special events and celebrations.
The Cantonese Style
In Cantonese cooking, the Eight Treasure Duck is prepared with great care. The duck is stuffed with eight stir-fried ingredients. These often include sticky rice, small pieces of mushrooms, water chestnuts, and lotus seeds. You might also find Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, and bamboo shoots. Sometimes, jujubes, salted egg yolk, or even Jinhua ham are added.
Before stuffing, the duck gets a special bath. It's marinated overnight in dark soy sauce, spices, and Shaoxing wine. This makes the duck super flavorful. Then, hot oil is poured over the duck's skin. This makes the skin nice and tight. After stuffing, the duck is cooked slowly in a tasty chicken and soy broth. This cooking can take over an hour! It makes the duck meat incredibly tender and juicy.
A Special Dish for Celebrations
Eight Treasure Duck became a very popular dish in Hong Kong in the 1930s. It was often served at big banquets and important dinners. Making this dish takes a lot of time and effort. Because of this, people usually order it several days ahead of time when they want it from a restaurant. It's a traditional meal served during Chinese New Year's Eve. This is a time when families gather to celebrate and enjoy delicious food together.
