New York's Chinatown - Peking Duck

Ever since I saw A Christmas Story, the movie about Ralph and his Red Ride BB gun with the compass in the stock, I have wanted to go to a Chinese restaurant and order duck. I wanted a whole duck just like Ralphie’s family got. And where better to get it than in New York’s Chinatown.

At the famous Peking Duck House on Mott Street a dinner for four at $27 per person (check for current price) consists of a choice of soup, an appetizer plate with a dumpling, a spring roll, barbecue beef on a stick for each of us, a whole duck, choice of two entrees, and a dessert of fried bananas.

Of course my favorite part was the presentation of the duck, head and all. Under my breath, I thanked the duck, it seemed right. Carving a duck Peking duck is an art form and, apparently, must be sliced into 120 pieces. Accompanying the duck are pancakes, thinly sliced scallions, cucumbers, and a dark, sweet yet tangy sauce. Slices of duck are placed on the pancake along with the accoutrements. Delicious!

Besides craving Peking duck, my jaunts have taken me to Chinatown on more than one occasion. Once as I wandered on Mulberry Street while stocking up on pashminas for birthday gifts, I stumbled upon Columbus Park, named after Christopher Columbus and opened in 1897. Stone tables were situated here and there and lively card and some sort of checkers games were taking place. Not a word of English was being spoken. I was definitely the only non-Chinese person yet I didn’t feel out of place or unwanted. No one seemed to notice or care I was there. I almost felt invisible, lost in a culture so unlike my own. With a perplexed look on my face, I watched the games and listened as men fervently debated and defended moves or provided advice that was either mocked or endorsed by others around the table.

Columbus Park was used for athletic meets, a topic for Charles Dickens in American Notes, and a meeting place for the rogues and thugs portrayed in Gangs of New York. It has gone through many transformations and restorations and now, is a dynamic gathering place for the Chinese community, and for wanderers like me, a place to escape into a different world.

I left Columbus Park and wanted to find a place to get one of my favorite food, dumplings. I decided to ask a group of Chinese woman who were obviously gossiping about someone, me perhaps. I asked where I could get good dumplings. There was a cacophony of Chinese. Then, a small woman, without saying a word, lovingly grabbed my hand and marched me a block and a half to a small alcove where they specialized in dumplings. She dropped me off, smiled at me, uttered something in Chinese, and went along her way. I think it was the experience more than the actual taste or the inexpensive price, but those were my favorite dumplings of all time.

If you’re looking for Peking duck, dumplings, gifts, or if you’re needing to escape your world for a few hours, head on over to Chinatown.