Bianjing Fan Pavilion's roasted duck at the south gate is a must-try delicacy in the capital, with crispy skin and tender, juicy meat, infused with the rich aroma of jujube wood.
B grade, with weak teeth, one cannot fully enjoy it, alas, alas!
Additionally, Zhou's soy sauce duck on Hefang Street in Hangzhou is also a must-try delicacy in Jiangnan. Though the stall is simple, the duck is savory, oily, and rich in flavor, known to the locals as "Fall into the Stomach." One from the south, one from the north, one braised, one roasted, they are truly the twin ducks of the era!
Bianjing Fan Pavilion's Golden Jade Stew is a luxurious spring delicacy: "Golden" refers to fried bamboo shoots, and "Jade" to bamboo shoot porridge, offering a taste of spring in two ways.
D grade, the portion is too small.
The improved Flatbread from the unnamed bakery on Bianjing West Street, with freshly rendered lard mixed inside, saturates the crust, losing its crispiness, and is not as tasty.
C grade, tasteless to eat, a pity to waste.
The chilled lychee paste from the Cao family in the south of Bianjing City is sweet but not cloying, and affordably priced. However, it cannot be stored for long, as it turns sour and attracts flies, so it must be consumed immediately to enjoy its sweet, smooth, and cool taste.
B grade, with minor flaws.
Taste of Spring Pavilion's Pufferfish Soup in Hangzhou, with crisp and tender reed shoots and fresh pufferfish, captures the essence of early spring in a single bowl.
A grade, even if spending a fortune, one would not regret it.