The Differences Between Peking Duck and BBQ Duck

Peking duck is a famous dish originating from China’s capital. The name “peking duck” is derived from the city of Beijing, which was the seat of the imperial Chinese court for many centuries.

Peking duck is a dish consisting of roasted duck served with pancakes and plum sauce. The term Peking duck is often used interchangeably with the term BBQ duck. However, these terms have different meanings.

BBQ duck is a style of barbecuing where the meat is cooked with wood smoke instead of an open flame.

Peking duck is a different dish which originated in Beijing. Peking duck is a roasted duck served with pancakes and plum sauce.

Beijing is sometimes romanized as Peking. So, we are essentially saying Beijing duck.

In this article, we discuss the differences between Peking duck vs. BBQ duck, including description, ingredients, variations, and tips.

What is Peking Duck?

Peking duck is a Chinese dish consisting of a duck variously roasted, steamed, or boiled in broth.

The name “Peking duck” is derived from the city of Beijing which was the seat of the imperial Chinese court for many centuries. Peking duck is a specific style of cooking which originated in the Imperial Chinese court of the Qing dynasty.

The defining characteristic of Peking duck is the inclusion of an entire roast duck in the dish, with the duck meat being the primary ingredient.

The skin is discarded in favor of the meat, which is then served with a variety of seasonings, such as scallions, ginger, and soy sauce. Traditionally, Peking duck is served with “Plum sauce”, which is a mixture of plum juice, sugar, and Shaoxing wine.

What is BBQ Duck?

BBQ duck is a style of barbecuing where the meat is cooked with wood smoke instead of an open flame. The name “BBQ” is a shortening of “barbarian barbecued”.

The origin of the term “BBQ” is unclear, with both American and Mexican cultures being credited with inventing the cooking method. BBQ duck is typically served with slaw and “BBQ sauce”, which is a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.

Similarities between Peking Duck and BBQ Duck

Both Peking duck and BBQ duck are delicious Chinese dishes. Peking duck is often confused with the BBQ style of cooking. However, they are two distinct dishes.

Differences between Peking Duck and BBQ Duck

The distinguishing factor between Peking duck and BBQ duck is the use of wood smoke. BBQ duck is typically served with slaw and “BBQ sauce”, which is a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Peking duck is never accompanied by slaw or “BBQ sauce”. It is instead accompanied by pancakes, plum sauce, and scallions.

Conclusion

Peking duck and BBQ duck are two distinct dishes with different cooking methods and ingredients. Whilst both have a rich history and delicious flavor, Peking duck is roasted duck served with pancakes and plum sauce, and BBQ duck is a style of barbecuing where the meat is cooked with wood smoke instead of an open flame.

To avoid any confusion, it is important to know the differences between Peking duck and BBQ duck. The article above highlights these distinctions, as well as their similarities.