Duck blood and vermicelli soup

Duck blood and vermicelli soup

Duck blood and green bean noodle soup, a very similar dish
Origin
Place of origin	China
Region or state	Nanjing
Dish details
Main ingredient(s)	Duck blood

Duck blood and vermicelli soup (in Chinese: 鸭血粉丝汤) is a traditional delicacy in Nanjing Province, , and is also eaten in other regions of China. A similar dish is also eaten in Poland, where it's called czernina.^[1]

Introduction

Nanjing, China is known for its duck dishes, and many Nanjing people like to eat ducks, including their viscera; even the duck blood can be utilised.

History

Duck blood and vermicelli soup is a traditional delicacy in Nanjing and is also famous in China. It has a long history of more than two decades.^[2]

Folklore

It is said that once there was a poor man in Nanjing. He killed a duck and used a bowl to hold the duck’s blood. But he dropped the vermicelli into the bowl carelessly. So he had to cook them together and surprisingly found that the soup was delicious. The landlord heard this and employed the poor man to be his cook and cook this kind of dish for his family. Afterwards, the dish was named as duck blood and vermicelli soup, and has been popular ever since.

Ingredients

Duck blood, vermicelli, dried fried tofu, dried small shrimp, duck gizzards, duck intestines, duck livers, shallots, ginger, sesame oil, caraway, (and possibly some other ingredients) are used to make the soup.

Authentic duck blood and vermicelli soup is cooked with more than twenty Chinese herbal medicines. Some of those who prepare it this way believe that these ingredients promote blood circulation, remove toxins and maintain beauty, as well as aiding digestion and warming the stomach.^[3]

The main ingredient, vermicelli, is made of sweet potato. It is smooth, soft, waxy and tasty. Other key ingredients are duck blood, dried fried tofu, dried small shrimps, duck gizzards, duck intestines, and duck livers. Furthermore, salt, shallots, gingers, sesame oil and caraway make this delicacy tastier. The soup coupled with various ingredients has visual appeal and is aromatic and flavorful.

Famous restaurants that serve Duck blood and vermicelli soup in Nanjing

• Hui Wei Duck blood and vermicelli soup (in Chinese 回味鸭血粉丝汤)
• Jinglin Duck blood and vermicelli soup (in Chinese 金陵鸭血粉丝汤)

See also

Food portal

• Blood soup

References

1. ^ Pang, Kevin Pang; Borrelli, Christopher (October 27, 2011). "There will be blood. Chicago Tribune. Accessed November 2011.
2. ^ 鸭血粉丝汤起源" Accessed November 2011.
3. ^ "补血、清热解毒的不二的美食选择鸭血粉丝汤" Accessed November 2011.

• Coughlan, Helen (2005). The Brighter Side of the Road: Upbeat and Offbeat Yarns from Home and Abroad. Boolarong Press. ISBN 1921054905
• (Chinese) "Nanjing duck blood soup fans." Meishichina.com. Accessed November 2011.
• (Chinese) "The origins of Nanjing duck blood soup fans". Docin.com. Accessed November 2011.

External links

• "Duck Blood and Vermicelli Soup" from Kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com.