Bird burritos

There are all sorts of crazy things on Chinese menus. Just today, while out for lunch, I could have eaten "Crystal Pig Elbow," "Shredded Saucy Intestines," "Fried Chicken Claws," or even scorpions. The last choice didn't have a descriptive English name on the menu, the picture pretty much said it all.

None of the above would be voluntarily consumed by yours truly, although accidents do happen (refer to the clotted blood incident). I did, however, try one well known Chinese delicacy: Peking Roast Duck.

I figured that would be a safe choice but failed to forget the lesson I learn every year in the 1983 movie, A Christmas Story. I am not talking about legging lighting here. Remember the scene where the dogs eat the turkey so the family has to go to a Chinese restaurant and eat duck while being serenaded with carols with choruses that go Far Ra Ra Ra Ra?

There wasn't any singing at my restaurant, but there was a guy with a hatchet who unceremoniously whacks the head off the duck at your table, cuts it in two and then places it in front of you on the table for your dining pleasure.



I just went to my safe place and ignored the staring bird head while trying to enjoy my meal. (How many times do you think I will get to write that sentence while over here!? HA)


Turns out duck tastes OK it is just a bit fatty. They serve it sliced and you are supposed to put it in this burrito like thing with some dark, sweet sauce. Bon appetite!

It was a bit disappointing to have to basically go through all that just to have some bird on a burrito, but it makes for one more interesting experience here in China. Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra!