Lang Son Roasted Duck Recipe: Authentic, Flavorful, and Easy

Lang Son roasted duck has long been a famous specialty of the northeastern mountainous region of Vietnam. With its distinctive aroma from mac mat leaves and traditional spices, this dish not only attracts diners but also embodies the unique culinary culture of the area. If you’re looking for the Lang Son roasted duck recipe to try at home, this article will provide you with the most detailed and easy-to-follow instructions.

Lang Son roasted duck recipe guide
Guide to roasting Lang Son duck with mac mat leaves for the perfect taste.

Ingredients Needed for Lang Son Roasted Duck

To prepare Lang Son roasted duck, you will need the following ingredients:

• Duck: 1 whole (about 2kg)
• Mac mat leaves: 250g
• Dried mac mat fruit: 10g
• Shallots: 2 bulbs
• Ginger: 1 root
• Lemongrass: 4 stalks
• Honey: 10ml
• Chilies: 2
• Water: 100ml
• Lime: half a fruit
• Basic seasonings: sugar, MSG, soy sauce, seasoning powder, ground black pepper, white wine, salt, soy sauce

Ingredients for Lang Son roasted duck recipe
Full ingredients for preparing Lang Son roasted duck.

How to Prepare the Ingredients

Preparing the Duck

To remove the gamey smell from the duck, you can use the following deodorizing method:

• Mix a solution of: crushed ginger, 200ml water, 2 tablespoons of salt, and 2 tablespoons of white wine.
• Place the duck in a large tray, pour the solution over the entire duck, and rub it in for about 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
• Pay special attention to the belly, tail, and under the wings to ensure the gamey smell is completely removed.

After preparation, hang the duck in a well-ventilated area to dry naturally.

Preparing the Marinade

• Lemongrass: Peel, wash, and finely chop.
• Shallots and garlic: Peel, wash, and mince finely.
• Mac mat leaves: Wash and let dry.
• Dried mac mat fruit: Wash and crush.
• Ginger: Peel, wash, and finely chop.

How to remove the gamey smell from Lang Son roasted duck
Deodorizing method for Lang Son roasted duck.

Steps to Make Lang Son Roasted Duck

Recipe for the Duck Marinade

The marinade plays a crucial role in 80% of the dish’s success. Especially, mac mat leaves are an essential ingredient in the Lang Son roasted duck recipe.

• Sauté the prepared shallots and garlic until fragrant. Then add ginger and lemongrass, stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes.
• Continue adding mac mat leaves, and season with sugar, seasoning powder, ground black pepper, and MSG to taste.
• Pour 100ml of water into the mixture and bring to a boil until it thickens slightly, then turn off the heat.

To achieve a beautiful golden color for the roasted duck, you need to prepare a coloring solution:

• Prepare a bowl of hot water, add 100ml of honey, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 slice of ginger.
• Boil the mixture until it thickens, then turn off the heat and let it cool.

Delicious stuffing for Lang Son roasted duck
How to marinate Lang Son roasted duck for a delicious flavor.

How to Marinate Lang Son Roasted Duck

• Stuff the marinade mixture into the duck’s cavity, rub it evenly or shake gently to ensure the flavors penetrate deeply. Use bamboo skewers, stainless steel skewers, or thread to sew the duck’s belly shut to prevent the marinade from leaking out during roasting.
• With the coloring solution, use a brush to evenly coat the entire surface of the duck’s skin. Then marinate for about 3-4 hours to allow the flavors to fully infuse into the meat.

Simplest way to marinate Lang Son roasted duck
Guide to marinating Lang Son roasted duck.

Roasting Instructions

• Place the duck in the oven at a temperature of 100-120°C for about 40-50 minutes. During roasting, when the duck starts to release fat, you can brush it with oil or honey to prevent it from drying out.
• Once the duck is cooked, increase the temperature to 200°C and roast for another 15 minutes to create a crispy skin and an attractive color.

If you plan to sell Lang Son roasted duck, using a specialized roasting oven will increase productivity, save time, and ensure better hygiene.

Delicious Lang Son roasted duck with a roasting oven
Using a roasting oven to make Lang Son roasted duck.