Zhoushi Braised Duck

Zhoushi Braised Duck

　　Zhoushi Braised Duck is a local specialty of Zhoushi Town, Kunshan City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Known as Zhoushi Braised Sauce Duck for short, it is one of the famous specialties of Kunshan, celebrated for its excellent color, aroma, and taste.

　　Zhoushi Braised Duck has a long history. Since ancient times, Zhoushi has been covered with a network of rivers and lakes, along with many reed marshes and wastelands, making it a habitat for wild birds. During agricultural off-seasons, it was common for farmers to hunt wild birds and animals, either for sale or to cook at home, leading to the folk rhyme: “Since ancient times, wild birds have flocked the open fields; hunted and braised, they helped buy rice for the pot.”

　　How Zhoushi Braised Duck is made: The duck is slaughtered, plucked, gutted, and cleaned. It is first blanched over high heat, then simmered over low heat before being soaked in an old broth made from a dozen traditional Chinese herbs including cloves, cinnamon, spikenard, and fennel. The result is tender yet not greasy, juicy without being mushy, with flavor that penetrates the bone—delicious beyond compare. Not only is it highly nutritious, but it is also suitable for all ages, particularly benefiting the elderly and those recovering from illness by invigorating the spleen and stimulating the appetite.