You've probably heard of the term “wild duck”, but not everyone is familiar with the details about wild ducks and how to prepare dishes from them, as well as the locations to enjoy this unique duck dish.

Insights into the species of wild duck

Wild ducks are originally a wild species belonging to the poultry family. They share a resemblance to common ducks in appearance but possess the ability to fly. Purebred wild ducks are not very large, with adults weighing only around 1-1.5 kg. The meat of this variety is fragrant, not overly fatty, and has high nutritional value. Nowadays, the natural habitat of wild ducks has narrowed, and excessive hunting has led to their rarity. Due to this, these animals have been domesticated and are bred more in the Northern and Southwestern regions of Vietnam.

While no longer living in their natural environment, wild ducks have retained their inherent advantages. They have brown-black feathers, gray wing feathers, and a black edge. Although domesticated wild ducks can't soar through the skies, their nutritional quality is still significant. The meat of wild ducks is tender, sweet, and suitable for nourishment. However, this delicacy is not widely popular; it's only served in Vietnamese cuisine restaurants as a specialty dish.

A delicious dish from wild ducks: Five-spice roasted wild duck

An emblematic dish in Vietnamese cuisine, wild ducks are prepared into various dishes that carry the distinctive Vietnamese mark, one of which is the five-spice roasted wild duck. Five-spice powder has long been a special seasoning, combining the five fundamental spices: sour, spicy, salty, sweet, and bitter. Five-spice powder is typically made from Sichuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and fennel seeds. Depending on different regions and restaurants, there may be variations in the composition of the five-spice powder.

To fully savor the flavor of wild ducks, proper preparation is essential. After cleaning the duck thoroughly, it's recommended to remove any odors using ginger, lemongrass, and salt. For a delicious five-flavor roasted wild duck, marinate the duck with five-spice powder beforehand. Then, roast the duck on a charcoal stove. The chef should carefully turn the duck to ensure even cooking without burning while preserving the tenderness and juiciness of the meat.

Indulge in the delight of five-spice roasted wild duck

The roasted wild duck boasts a glistening golden color, a delightful aroma, and tender meat. The herbal blend from the five-spice powder imparts a warm and mildly spicy quality that stimulates digestion and warms the stomach. The five-flavor roasted wild duck is piping hot, rich in flavor, and harmoniously balanced, making it suitable for casual dining with a few cans of beer or steaming rice.

You can enjoy this dish made from wild duck at various Vietnamese restaurants, especially in the heart of Saigon, where there's a chain of Vietnamese cuisine restaurants you shouldn't miss out on. That would be the Sen - Lua - Bien - Oc - Nong Thon Dai Viet restaurant chain along Bui Vien Street.

At this specialty Vietnamese restaurant, you'll also find other delicious and unique dishes featuring wild duck, such as grilled duck with fermented tofu, duck hotpot with squash, steamed ginger duck, or roasted duck with green peppercorns... Visit Bui Vien Street and relish the simple yet flavorful dishes at the delightful Sen - Lua - Bien - Oc - Nong Thon Dai Viet Vietnamese restaurant chain!