Duck meat specialist opens in St Sampson’s Square, York

Located at 14 St. Sampson’s Square, Duck Shack is owned and operated by Liqin Zhang and her husband, Chef Andy Jiang. It serves Hong Kong-style charcoal-roasted meat.

The couple, originally from China, live in Fulford with their three sons and used to run Home Takeaway in Bridlington and sold it to move to York.

Liqin worked in international quality control for 17 years and first came to the UK and studied in York more than 20 years ago before falling in love.

She met her husband in China and persuaded him to join her.

In the duck hut (Image: Liqin Zhang)

“York is just the best place,” says Liqin.

“I went to the University of York to do a Masters and fell in love with the place – it’s just the best.”

“We’re a small fast food cafe, and I know we’re going to do something pretty high-end since the city has high rents, but that’s what we decided to do.”

“The café is a communal and family-friendly place where people can come together, chat, have a drink and taste the food.

“Our main customers are the Chinese community and tourists as you can’t get our type of food anywhere else locally.”

“We look forward to everyone who comes by and tries our food. And for people who have tasted flavorful duck at a diner, it’s similar but much better.”

Liqin Zhang and her chef husband Andy Jiang opened Duck Shack (Image: Liqin Zhang)

Customers can choose between roast duck, crispy pork belly, soy or fried chicken or char siu – i.e. pork neck.

All can be served over boiled rice, fried rice, or noodles, or on their own, and are not dried out like grilled meats often are, but juicy and tender, preserving the flavor of the meat.

“People from Hong Kong and southern China will recognize the food as ‘home’.”

“It’s a really traditional Chinese style that’s really tasty and of the best quality.”

Some of the dishes on offer (Image: Liqin Zhang)

The store will initially be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Set menus are available from £13 and customers can enjoy tea, coffee or soft drinks as well as side dishes such as duck and pancakes, steamed buns, dumplings, spring rolls and soup.

Keep following Duck Shack Facebook.

The meat is roasted over charcoal Hong Kong style (Image: Liqin Zhang)