Quanzhou Lao Pai Taiwanese Old Ginger Duck (泉州老牌台湾姜母鸭) — “lao pai (老牌)”, in the restaurant’s name, can be translated as old brand (literally) / time-honoured / long established — is one of the well-known names in Quanzhou for old ginger duck dish, a delicacy that originated in Quanzhou. Established since 1995, the restaurant specialises in authentic Southern Fujian / Minnan cooked dishes, including oyster omelette, seafood, and its signature old ginger duck dish is influenced by Taiwanese’s style of cooking up an old ginger duck dish.
The restaurant is located along Wenling Meishi Street (温陵美食街 / Delicacy Street) at the outer edge of Quanzhou Ancient City (泉州古城). Note that most restaurants serving old ginger duck dishes around the ancient city are long-established names and are also called “老牌姜母鸭” — the restaurant that we visited is specifically for “Taiwanese-style” old ginger duck.
The restaurant’s Taiwanese-style old ginger duck dish uses whole Red-faced Muscovy Duck (红面番鸭) to braise in claypot over charcoal fire with sesame oil, rice wine and plenty of old ginger (姜母) slices. It is slow-cooked for about 3-4 hours until the broth is reduced to a thickened state.
Unlike typical Taiwanese-style old ginger duck, which is soupy and often added with other ingredients — like Malaysian-style bak kut teh —, or Fujian-style ginger duck, which is generally drier, the Old Ginger Duck here is some-what in-between. It has an aromatic, richly-flavoured, thick broth that barely covers the whole duck and a large piece of uncut duck blood cube. The duck meat is firm and tender with a rich ginger-sesame aroma and subtle spiciness of ginger. And the duck blood cube is fresh with a bouncy texture — being uncut ensures that it is not overcooked. This is indeed a delicious delicacy that must not be missed!
As old ginger duck is a “warming” food, it is especially popular in autumn and winter, so expect it to run out fast during the cooler seasons.
Note: The Chinese name of dish, “姜母鸭” actually mean “姜母 + 鸭” (old ginger + duck), not “姜 + 母鸭” (ginger + mother duck) — although female ducks may be used to prepare old ginger duck dishes, it is not a must, the name is derived more from the use of “old ginger” due to its health benefits.
Address:
98, Meishi Street, Fengze District, Quanzhou City, Fujian, China
福建省.泉州市.丰泽区.美食街98号 — Baidu Map
Opening Hours:
11am to 10pm | Daily
Nearby:
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