Xiandu Spiced Pressed Duck 仙都酱板鸭

Xiandu Spiced Pressed Duck (仙都酱板鸭) is a branded duck speciality from Liling (醴陵). Rednet (红网) describes the finished duck as brightly coloured, with dry meat that has chew without being tough. Its chilli heat develops after the first savoury, aromatic mouthful.

Flavour that builds

At the Xiandu main shop by the Lujiang River (渌江), Rednet describes a whole duck served on a porcelain plate after dozens of processing stages. A leg is pulled off and the meat torn into pieces. The aroma is concentrated without a fishy or gamey smell, and the richness is described as not greasy.

From a local shop to a gift food

Liling’s media centre traces the business to Liu Shiben (刘世本), who made brine-cooked duck in Weishan (沩山) and later operated Liu Ji Braised Foods (刘记卤味店). The Xiandu product developed through changes to its craft and recipe. It is eaten as a snack or banquet dish and is also given when visiting friends, relatives and elders.