A taste of Peking duck

Peking duck has been served in China for centuries. It is still the most popular dish in Beijing. The duck is roasted, sliced thinly, and topped with crispy (酥脆的) skin. The dish is typically served with onion, cucumber, sweet bean sauce, and pancakes.

The tradition of Peking duck dates back more than 1,500 years. According to legend, the dish originated when an emperor of the Yuan Dynasty (1271—1368) hunted a wild duck and had the palace chef roast it. Although the dish is named after Peking, it actually originated in the former Chinese capital of Nanjing. During the Ming Dynasty (1368—1644), the imperial court moved to Peking, bringing the duck recipe with it. Eventually, Peking duck was enjoyed not just by kings but also members of the nobility.Praise for the dish can be found in the writings of ancient scholars and poets.

Today, Peking duck is a must-try for tourists, including celebrities and government officials. One of the most famous restaurants in Beijing is the Quanjude, which was established in 1864.

During a recent visit to the restaurant, I spoke with the manager Hou Yahui. He has been working at the Beijing restaurant, which is now a chain, for about two decades. Their restaurant chain sells more than 2 million roast ducks in 400 different styles to more than 5 million customers annually.

The preparation involves 50 steps, and it takes 3 days to dry, season, and cook the duck to ensure that it's the best it can be. Yahui explained that the duck has to be dried beforehand in order to make the skin crispy. It is then roasted over an open fire, allowing the grease (油脂) to be cooked off. Finally, the duck is sliced in front of diners at the table, just as it has been done for more than 150 years.

They raise the ducks on their own farms for 42 days in a free-range environment, which allows them to control the supply chain from beginning to end and lower costs, as well as increase quality.

There's always a long line to get into Quanjude and other Beijing restaurants that specialize in Peking duck, so be sure to make a reservation if you want to try the famous dish.

Critical

Thinking

According to the passage, what's the legend about Peking duck?