Bianyifang
Bianyifang ( | |
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Restaurant information | |
Established | 1416 |
Food type | Peking duck |
City | Beijing |
Country | China |
Bianyifang (Chinese:
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Sliced_Peking_Duck_with_traditional_condiments.jpg/200px-Sliced_Peking_Duck_with_traditional_condiments.jpg)
History
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Bianyifang.jpg/203px-Bianyifang.jpg)
The original restaurant was established in Mishihutong, Caishikou, Beijing in 1416, the 14th year of the Ming dynasty's Yongle Emperor, and was initially a small workshop similar to a tavern that served primarily duck and chicken. The tavern was popular among locals, and the owner was known to be very friendly and hospitable to his customers, often conversing with them, listening to their stories, and providing them with advice.[3]
The "Bianyifang" name is often credited to Yang Jisheng, vice minister of the Ministry of War, who lived at Dazhi bridge outside Xuanwu Gate. In 1552, Yan Song, the corrupt Senior Grand Secretary, sought to punish Yang Jisheng for trying to expose his corruption by framing him for crimes and tricking the Emperor into authorizing his execution. According to the story, Yang Jisheng, despondent and hungry after a failed attempt to appeal to the Emperor, came across the unassuming tavern and, liking its atmosphere, entered to order roast duck and vegetables with wine. When the customers and owner recognized him, the owner decided to converse with him and served him personally. Touched and impressed by the hospitable service, Yang Jisheng complimented the tavern's service and, asking for a signboard and bringing out his ink brush, wrote "fair price and considerate service" (
By 1827, the owner of Bianyifang, Sun Zijiu, began to expand the restaurant and its menu, around which point Peking duck and Spanish and French-style duck liver became its signature dishes.
Due to the fame of the original Bianyifang, many restaurants named themselves "Bianyifang" in turn. The Xianyukou Bianyifang (鲜鱼
Branches
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Beijing_Bianyifang_Roast_Duck_Group_headquarters_%2820230703152316%29.jpg/220px-Beijing_Bianyifang_Roast_Duck_Group_headquarters_%2820230703152316%29.jpg)
At present, Bianyifang has eight branch restaurants in Beijing: Hademen Branch, Yutingqiao Branch, Xingfu Street Branch, Anhua Branch, Hangtian Branch, New World Center Branch, Jianxiang Branch, Fufenglu Restaurant and Xianyukou Branch.
Outside Beijing are three more branches: Sanmenxia Branch in Henan Province, Hohhot Branch in Inner Mongolia, and Tangdu Branch in Shanxi Province.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Robinson, M; Ploner, J (2016). Tourism at the Olympic Games: Visiting the World. London: Routledge. pp. 65–66. ISBN 9781315674773.
- ^ "Beijing's Oldest Restaurant". Beijing Tourism. Retrieved Feb 15, 2020.
- ^ "Duck Tales". Medium. 16 February 2017. Retrieved Feb 17, 2020.
- ^ Sun, Jiahui. "Duck Tales: A look at the long history of Peking Duck". The World of Chinese. Retrieved Feb 17, 2020.
- ^ 袁,
家 方 (2016). "便宜 坊 字 号 名称 的 由来 与 特色 ". 时代经贸: 36–37. - ^ Haw, Stephen G. [2007] (2007). Beijing a Concise History. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-39906-7
- ^ Zhang, Junmian (2013-07-22). "Top 10 Peking Duck restaurants". China.org. Retrieved Feb 15, 2020.