Duck Soup Rice

Huan Ark - Foreign  Duck

The Foochows (both in Sibu and Minqing) love the Huan Ark (Chuong Nguang) which means foreign duck. The name refers to the red faced serati or Muscovy which has a red face. This type of duck is a favourite among the Foochows as it has a bigger body and a lot of meat. It is also easily reared in swampy areas. Ducks love water and are great swimmers. In fact many farmers say that if there is a body of water for them, they can breed better.

Chuong Nguang soup is excellent and is considered very nourishing. Many families raise these ducks and when time to show respect to their elders they will slaughter a Moscovy which is mature enough, to boil as soup for the grandparents. Immature Moscovy has too many soft downs and make its skin quite impossible to eat.



In Minqing, Fujian for example, there are just shops which sell only Duck Soup Rice. And this is indeed a special dish. The rice variety grown in Minqing  is also very tasty. Duck Soup Rice goes for RM5.00 our currency in Minqing. It is very very reasonable. I don't think any business can do well at that price per pax.

The customers can also opt for Mien Sien, the Foochow longevity noodles. But rice is definitely more popular.

The popularity of eating ducks among the Foochows lies with their traditional belief that duck is able to relieve the inner heat of the human body and boost the immune system.


The frugal Foochows in Sarawak who live in villages use simple ginger and a little red rice wine to boil their duck.