Wok delights with Beijing banquet

Dilanka Mannakkara

Hilton Colombo's Chinese restaurant; the Emperor's Wok prepared authentic Beijing cuisine together with Chef Hok Leung and two guests flown in from China courtesy Cathay Pacific Airlines from April 1 to 10 during dinner.

As I was invited for dinner to experience this banquet, I was pleasantly surprised by the huge response for Peking Duck even from locals who have always been fascinated by relishing the delicious delicacies at the Wok.

The Peking duck which stole the limelight is processed in several steps. According to Wok Restaurant Manager Dhamin Peries, first the ducks are rubbed with spices, salt, ginger coated with honey mixture, red vinegar and Chinese wine and then kept hung in the air for some time. Then the ducks are roasted in an oven or hung over the fire till they become golden brown. After the duck is roasted, the skin becomes golden and intensely crisp. While hot, it is cut into squares and served with thin pancakes, called Peking doilies.

I savoured the doilies which was filled with cucumber, carrot and spring onion and was topped with a strong Hoisen sauce and the taste was different yet delicious. The rest of the duck meat was prepared in a spicy black pepper style and it is a definite try.

I also tried the BBQ lamb rack Beijing style which was well done and the lamb just melted in my mouth.

Delicately marinated duck tongue with preserved plum and duck chin would not disappoint the more adventurous diners.

The ever famous Chinese favourite Peking duck along with the traditional accompaniments carved in front of you by the hotel experts is itself a wonderful experience.

"We are looking forward to giving our food connoisseurs an authentic treat of a Beijing banquet at our very own Chinese restaurant which caters to a large crowd not only to the Chinese community but also to locals who appreciate good Chinese food in Colombo," Marketing Communications Manager Gigi De Silva said.