Vịt Quay Lạng Sơn

1. Overview

Vịt quay Lạng Sơn (Lạng Sơn-style roast duck) is one of the most iconic and beloved specialties of the northern mountainous province of Lạng Sơn. Unlike Peking duck or other roast duck dishes, this version is uniquely Vietnamese, featuring the fragrant and rare lá mắc mật (a mountain herb) and traditional charcoal roasting techniques.

This dish not only highlights the culinary creativity of the local people but also showcases the deep connection with native herbs and natural ingredients found only in this region.

2. Key Ingredients & Characteristics

• Duck:

  • Fresh, firm-fleshed ducks (not too fatty) are chosen for optimal texture and taste.

  • Cleaned and marinated inside and out with a mixture of spices and herbs.

• Lá mắc mật (Clausena indica leaves):

  • The star ingredient. These aromatic leaves and their young fruits are stuffed inside the duck’s belly before roasting.

  • They lend the duck a distinctive sweet, peppery, and citrus-like aroma.

• Marinade & flavoring:

  • Includes soy sauce, five-spice powder, garlic, honey, and rice wine.

  • The duck skin is coated with malt or honey for a crispy, glossy finish after roasting.

• Cooking method:

  • The duck is skewered and roasted over charcoal in a clay oven or traditional brick stoves.

  • This slow, rotating roast process makes the skin crackly and golden, while the meat inside remains juicy and tender.

3. How to Enjoy the Dish

• Serving style:

  • The duck is chopped into bite-sized pieces and often served with dipping sauce made from lemon juice, salt, pepper, and crushed mắc mật leaves.

  • Sometimes paired with pickled vegetables or fresh herbs.

• Best enjoyed with:

  • Steamed rice, sticky rice (xôi), or even rice vermicelli.

  • A glass of local wine or corn liquor is often recommended for full flavor.

The taste is rich, aromatic, slightly sweet, and deeply savory, with a smoky undertone from the charcoal roasting and the unmatched fragrance of the mountain herbs.

4. Cultural and Regional Significance

Vịt quay Lạng Sơn is more than just a dish—it’s a symbol of the region’s culinary identity. It is often enjoyed:

• During festivals and family gatherings

• As a gift for visitors or special occasions

• Or simply as a pride of local cuisine served in homes and markets

The use of lá mắc mật, which grows in the forests of Lạng Sơn, makes this roast duck truly unique and impossible to replicate authentically elsewhere.

5. Where to Try It in Lạng Sơn

• Chợ Kỳ Lừa (Ky Lua Market): The most famous spot to find authentic Lạng Sơn roast duck sold by longtime family vendors.

• Local restaurants in Lạng Sơn City: Especially those near Tam Thanh or Na Sầm areas.

• Some Hanoi restaurants also import the duck and herbs from Lạng Sơn to recreate the dish, though nothing beats the original from the source.