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Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Peking Duck

Peking Duck is a type of duck prepared with the skin roasted to crispy and served with spring onion, cucumbers, and pancakes.

It has its roots in Beijing (hence the name ‘Peking Duck’), China.

The duck is first marinated for at least a day before it’s cooked, reducing its flavor intensity and improving texture.

What makes Peking Duck unique is the way that it’s cooked:

  • The duck has hung in front of a fire so that fat drips away from the meat.
  • It’s basted with boiling-hot oil to give it its crispy skin.
  • When served, Peking Duck comes with thin pancakes used to wrap inside spring onion and cucumber.

It’s eaten with hands, making it a social dish.

The dish is eaten at many social events, but most notably by the Chinese New Year – a time where families return home to spend time together.

It’s so popular that people travel from all over China to experience good Peking Duck.

Many side dishes are great to eat with Peking Duck, but eight dishes stand out in particular.

Read on to learn more about what these dishes are.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Peking Duck?

why consider serving side dishes for peking duck

Peking duck is a dish well-known as a meal in China.

It is not only delicious but also an important part of Chinese culture.

Like any traditional Chinese dish, Peking duck also has a lot of side dishes served with it.

Side dishes have been regarded as another course of a meal since ancient times, so they are as important as the main dish in Chinese cuisine.

There are two reasons why people serve side dishes with Peking duck besides its delicious taste.

First of all, it makes the dish more attractive.

The bright colors of pak choi and soy sauce chicken contrast with the thin white skin of Peking duck when they are hung together on top of the dish.

Secondly, side dishes make the Peking duck more nutritious and filling.

Every Chinese meal has to be balanced in taste and nutrition, which is what makes it healthy.

So next time you eat Peking duck, don’t forget to prepare some of its delicious and nutritious side dishes along with it.

What to Serve with Peking Duck? 8 BEST Side Dishes

what to serve with peking duck best side dishes

That being said, there are more than eight kinds of side dishes that can be served with Peking duck.

1 – Roasted Carrots

roasted carrots

Roasting does marvelous things to vegetables. It gives them a crisper texture and a deeper, sweeter flavor.

It’s also one of the easiest cooking methods.

You pop your veggies in the oven and wait — no supervision needed.

These roasted carrots are an awesome side to chicken, no matter how it’s prepared.

The crisp, caramelized veggies go perfectly with the tender and juicy bird.

And in this recipe, you have two choices: sweet or savory carrots.

Whichever one you choose, they’ll taste fantastic with chicken.

2 – Pak Choi

pak choi

This leafy vegetable tastes great in any stir-fry dish, but it is especially good when dipped into soy sauce or ponzu.

Just be sure not to overcook the pak choi – it should still have a crunch.

You can eat both stems and leaves, so make extra of this healthy veggie if you’re cooking for a crowd.

The flavor is mild and slightly bitter, but with a simple dressing of soy sauce or sesame oil, it can be prepared in just minutes.

3 – Noodles

noodles

Two popular noodles that are easy to make at home are egg noodles and rice noodles.

Either option will taste amazing alongside the Peking duck you prepare for your special occasion.

Noodles are a Chinese staple, so you should always have some prepared to serve with your Peking duck.

But if you have time for a special treat, try making them from scratch.

You can find both rice and egg noodles at your local grocery store or Asian market.

Otherwise, the Internet is full of recipes that will show you how to make both.

Noodles are also filling, so they serve as an excellent side dish for any meal.

Whether you like them hot or cold, cooked or raw, there’s a tasty option available.

4 – Soy Sauce Chicken

soy sauce chicken

There’s a good reason why this dish is popular in many parts of Asia.

Soy sauce chicken offers a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors, making for a balanced side dish to your Peking duck.

It’s best to use dark soy sauce when cooking this dish.

It adds an extra layer of flavor and richness.

Once you combine the soy sauce and other ingredients, it’s time to simmer the dish until thick.

You can serve it hot or cold, and either way, chicken tastes great.

Soy sauce chicken is a versatile side dish that should be included in any Chinese meal.

5 – Steamed Rice

steamed rice

The steaming process makes the rice a bit chewy and fluffy, making it a perfect accompaniment to your Chinese meal.

It’s also flexible — if you want to make a bowl of noodle soup, all you have to do is swap out the rice for noodles.

You can use seasoned or white rice when preparing this side dish.

The type you choose will depend on your taste.

It’s also possible to buy premade white rice.

But if you have time, using an authentic Chinese cookbook or recipe is the best way to guarantee that the resulting dish will be tasty.

6 – Mandarin Pancakes

mandarin pancakes

These pancakes are filled with sweet or savory ingredients, making them a perfect complement to your Peking duck.

You can make the dish using regular flour, but wheat starch will give it a more light and crumbly texture.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try filling your pancakes with shrimp.

It offers a nice flavor that pairs well with the duck.

What’s more, you can store these pancakes in a freezer and enjoy them later on.

A meal doesn’t need to be fancy to be special.

7 – Vegetable Spring Rolls

vegetable spring rolls

These snacks are simple, but they’re delicious.

Not only do they pair perfectly with your Peking duck, but they make an excellent appetizer for any meal.

You can fill these rolls with a variety of vegetables or meats, depending on your preferences.

Cabbage is a favorite choice because it adds a bit of crunch to the dish.

One advantage to making your spring rolls is that you can control how much filling goes into each one.

This allows you to monitor your portion sizes and make healthy decisions.

8 – Spinach with Garlic Sauce

spinach with garlic sauce

The garlic sauce on this dish offers a spicy kick that pairs well with the Peking duck.

This simple side dish also features spinach, which is rich in antioxidants and other healthy nutrients.

You can use any variety of Chinese greens, but spinach is popular because it’s mild tasting.

This side dish is best served when fresh, which means you need to make it immediately before serving.

However, you can store the sauce in an airtight container for up to three days.

The dish is fairly easy to prepare, so it’s a good choice if time is short.

Conclusion

Peking duck is a tasty dish that deserves to be celebrated as one of the classics of Chinese cuisine.

However, it’s not easy to make duck from scratch at home, which is why many people turn to restaurants for takeout.

If you want to enjoy this meal at home, these side dishes are great options.

They offer something for every taste and are quick to prepare.

what to serve with peking duck

What to Serve with Peking Duck? 8 BEST Side Dishes

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Roasted Carrots
  • Pak Choi
  • Noodles
  • Soy Sauce Chicken
  • Steamed Rice
  • Mandarin Pancakes
  • Vegetable Spring Rolls
  • Spinach with Garlic Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
  • Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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