Zhoushi Braised Duck

Zhoushi Braised Duck (周市爊鸭) is a deli in Zhoushi Town, Kunshan, Suzhou municipality, Jiangsu province, China, selling slow-braised aoya duck (爊鸭). The street number is not confirmed in the available data, so visitors are advised to find the shop on Amap before travelling. Zhoushi is a town in the north of Kunshan, outside the city centre, so a visit generally needs a taxi, ride-hailing car or local bus.

Aoya is a traditional Su-style braised duck, associated with Suzhou and the surrounding area of southern Jiangsu. The duck is simmered slowly in a seasoned stock with soy sauce, sugar and spices, then left to absorb the flavour until the meat is tender and deeply savoury with a lightly sweet finish. It is usually sold cold or at room temperature by weight, chopped for eating. The meat is a typical accompaniment to rice or noodles, an appetiser for a family meal, or a gift. The braised aoya duck (爊鸭) is the signature, and visitors are advised to buy half a duck to take away.

The business is a takeaway deli rather than a restaurant. There is no dining room, no wine or drinks programme, and no dress code. The atmosphere is that of a busy local food counter, with customers choosing portions and having them chopped and packed on the spot. Service is quick, and the busiest time is late afternoon, when residents buy food for the evening meal.

No reservations are taken. Prices are about CNY 45 (about $6.7) per person, and a half duck is enough to share between two or three people as part of a meal. Because the duck is best the day it is bought, travellers staying in Kunshan can carry it back to a hotel for a picnic-style dinner. Opening times are not documented, so checking Dianping (大众点评) or Amap beforehand is advisable.