An Introduction to Creating a Peking Menu

When preparing a Peking menu, you will explore some of the cuisine that is characteristic of the northern part of China. Peking served as the capital of China for almost 1,000 years, which is also known for a deep tradition in their way of cooking. While Peking duck is one of the best-known dishes of this region, there are many other meals to consider when preparing a Peking menu for your dinner table.

While other Asian countries depend on rice as their staple food, Peking cuisine relies on wheat. Noodles, steamed buns, pancakes, and dumplings are all made of wheat flour. Because of the terrain, meat is quite the luxury and vegetables are carefully stored to last the harsh winters. Some vegetables are better preserved over the winters, such as Chinese cabbage, which is a popular item throughout the region. Overall, Peking dishes are typically simple, solid, and filling.

Since the Mongolian invasion, lamb and mutton have become important parts of Peking cuisine. Rarely does one see this type of meat eaten in other parts of China. A popular dish called Mongolian Hot Pot consists of plain-cooked meat served with hot sauces. The intense flavors of garlic, onions, and leeks are prominent in this dish. Many carp recipes are also found in this region, as the Yellow River provides an ample supply.

In order to embrace the culture and cuisine of Peking dishes, you may consider the following dishes:

Drunken Chicken

This chicken dish is prepared with sliced onions, ginger root, and Chinese wine (or dry sherry). 

Peking Sliced Lamb and Cucumber Soup

Boned lamb is the basis of this recipe, which includes soy sauce, sesame oil, chicken stock, white pepper, cucumber, and wine vinegar.

Quick-Fried Shredded Pork in Capital Sauce

After shredding pork fillet into "matchstick" strips, the meat is then cooked with soy sauce, corn flour, vegetable oil, sweet red bean paste, sesame oil, shredded lettuce, and Chinese wine (or dry sherry).
 
Sesame Prawn Toasts

Minced pork fat is combined with minced prawns to create a dish that utilizes egg whites, ground white pepper, corn flour, white bread, sesame seeds, MSG, and vegetable oil.

Shredded Pork with Yellow Bean Paste

Shredded pork fillet is combined with yellow bean paste, sugar, sesame oil, cut spring onions, and Chinese wine (or dry sherry).

Peking Sliced Fish in Wine Sauce

Thinly sliced white fish fillets are cooked with egg whites, lard, vegetable oil, salt, and dried wood ears, which is then topped with a sauce made of chicken stock, salt, sugar, and Chinese wine (or dry sherry).

Emerald Fried Rice

Cooked rice is combined with finely shredded spring greens, salt, vegetable oil, lightly beaten eggs, finely chopped spring onions, and finely shredded ham to create this delicious main entrée or side dish.

Shantung Sauce

When preparing meat dishes, Shantung Sauce is comprised of finely chopped garlic cloves and chilies, finely chopped spring onions, sugar, sesame oil, chicken stock, salt, MSG, dry sherry, wine vinegar, and red chilli oil.