A Beijing Roast Duck

The ducks were originally roasted in a conventional convection oven until Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) when roast ducks became a delicacy in the imperial menu and were highly regarded by emperors and other members of the ruling classes. The ducks used during this period were a special breed namely the White Beijing Duck and a new method of cooking was employed, by suspending the ducks over the flame in an open oven. These two traditional methods of cooking have resulted in the two major present day schools of roast duck preparation.

Dou Zhi (Acid Soya-bean Juice)

Chinese soya juice—the kind that comes in plastic jugs at Asian grocery stores, often unsweetened—is a very different substance than the soy milk you’re likely to find in the dairy case at a typical American supermarket. Chinese soy milk basically consists of ground soy beans and water. What you get is the pure, unadulterated taste of soy. Milk is an uncommon beverage in China, so Chinese soy milk is not manufactured to be a milk substitute the way American soy drinks are. Sometimes you see the Chinese stuff sold as “soybean juice,” an expressive and accurate phrase for the refreshing potion.

Jiao Quan(Fried Bread Ring)

Jiao Quan is a traditional Beijing snack. It is crispy and tasty. Beijing local people usually eat it with Dou zhi(acid soya-bean juice).

Lv Da Gun（Glutinous Rice Rolls with Sweet Bean Flour）

Lv Da Gun is a traditional Beijing snack. It is a kind of dissert and Beijing local people's favorite snack.

Wan Dou Huang (Pea Flour Cake)

Wan Dou Huang is a traditional local snack in Beijing. Traditionally, Wan Dou Huang is served in the third day of March in Chinese lunar calendar. Wang Dou Huang is served throughout the spring. It is also a popular snack in annual temple fair in Beijing. Wan Dou Huang was originally mentioned in the novel far back in the Ming Dynasty and became listed in the loyal cuisine in the early reign of Qianlong, Qing Dynasty.

Ma Tofu （Beijing Tofu ）

Ma Tofu is a traditional Beijing local snack. It is a kind of Tofu. Its taste is very strange. Maybe only Beijing local people like it. For foreigners eating Ma Tofu is a challenge.