| Bianyifang (便宜坊） | |
|---|---|
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1416 |
| Food type | Peking duck |
| City | Beijing |
| Country | China |
Bianyifang (Chinese: 便宜坊; pinyin: Biànyífānɡ) is a restaurant in Beijing, China. Famous for its specialty called Peking Duck, Bianyifang has a long history of more than 600 years. It was founded during the Ming Dynasty. The name Bianyifang was created by Yang Jisheng, an advanced scholar during that period of time. Today it has become a comprehensive restaurant that has several branches. The service philosophy of this restaurant is “Convenient and Comfortable”.
Introduction to the restaurant edit
Bianyifang is a brand of a restaurant. Many customers tend to mistake the pronunciation of Bianyifang. The correct pronunciation should be “Biàn Yí Fāng”, which means good service and pleasure. This restaurant has attracted numerous customers, leaving a deep impression on them.
Established in 1416, the 14th year of the Ming Yongle Emperor, the original Bianyifang used to be a small workshop, which produced duck and chicken food in Mishihutong (米市胡同), Caishikou, Beijing. In 1827, its owner Sun Zijiu (孙子久) began to extend its business and established a bigger restaurant, where Peking Duck and Spanish and French Style Duck Liver (西法鸭肝) became its "signature dishes".
Due to the fame of the original Bianyifang, many restaurants named themselves "Bianyifang." The Xianyukou Bianyifang (鲜鱼口便宜坊) is the one that exists today, and was founded in 1855. It was established in Qianmen, Beijing, by a Wang family who hired a chef of the original Bianyifang. The restaurant has carried the Beijing cuisine tradition from the Qing dynasty to its modern-day form.
Bianyifang's main competition has been Quanjude, another restaurant specializing in Peking Duck.[1]
There are mainly two categories of Peking Duck. They are Quanjude and Bianyifang.[2] In the past, few people knew Bianyifang, yet it managed to stay competitive until today. Through the constant experiment, Bianyifang has tried various ways to improve the taste and quality of Peking duck. In 2008, Bianyifang created a new type called Olympic duck, which made it more convenient as it didn't require extra condiments and was more portable.[3]
Due to the everlasting spirit of constant inheritance and innovation, Bianyifang has succeed in sustaining its status among the competitors. Staff from Bianyifang all believe that they should carefully pass down the original flavor and culture so that customers can not only enjoy the best taste of Peking duck, but experience the authentic and significant historical background. [4]
History edit
As a restaurant with a long history and a high reputation, Bianyifang has always been adhering to the concept of "service first" to bring customers the best service. It's said that in the Ming Dynasty, Bianyifang was only a small pub on the street. Although the fame of the hotel at that time was not famous far away, many customers had regarded Bianyifang as their favorite pub. The owner of Bianyifang was hospitable and treated every customer as his friends. There were many moving stories in this tavern. The boss would sit beside the guests and chatted with them, listening to their stories, and give them advice. Soon, more and more customers liked to come to Bianyifang.[5]
Bianyifang has been seen as a famous brand in China. Nowadays, men, women, the old and the young all like this unique restaurant a lot. Their Peking duck is the most attractive dish. The Peking duck they made is not only delicious but also attractive in color. As one of the most popular restaurants in China, Bianyifang has been reported by various media. [6]
It is praised that Bianyifang still adheres to its original intention, inheriting the most authentic flavor, and providing customers with the best service and the most delicious dishes, which is the most unforgettable flavor for Chinese people.
After a long run, Bianyifang is still innovating, trying to bring different experience and taste to customers. They continue to grow in succession and inheritance. As the ten largest food brand in China, Bianyifang tries to maintain the good and get rid of the bad, carefully listening to customers' opinions, constantly satisfying customers. Bianyifang has become a synonym for Peking duck. When it comes to this typical Chinese cuisine, people will inevitably associate it with Bianyifang.[7]
Origin of the name edit
The name of Bianyifang has a long history. In A.D.1552, Yang Jisheng, a vice minister of the Ministry of War, who lived in Dazhi bridge outside Xuanwu Gate, reported Yan Song, the treacherous Prime Minister, on the court hall, and was framed by Yan Song. [8]
After that, he was despondent and hungry. He came to Caishikou Mishi alley (菜市口米市胡同). All of a sudden, he smelt a fragrance and came closer to see a small pub. When he entered the tavern, he found that although it was not big, it was quiet and elegant, and the guests were full. So he sat down and ordered roast duck and some wine and vegetables. He had a good meal and left all his troubles behind. Some guests recognized him and knew he was a famous patriotic minister, so they told the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper personally served him with duck and wine. He was hugely admired and chatted with him. Yang Jisheng learned that this tavern was called Bianyifang, and he saw that it was very hospitable, so he exclaimed, "this tavern is convenient and pleasant, and the price is fair as well"! He shouted, "Pass me a pen."! Yang Jisheng wrote three prominent characters, "Bian Yi Fang"! The guests all clapped and smiled. Since then, Yang Jisheng and his ministers often visited the tavern. After that, he was arrested and killed by Yan Song. Yan Song asked the owner of Bianyifang to take off the plaque, but the owner refused. Yan Song then sent someone to remove the plaque. The boss tried hard to protect the plaque. He was beaten to vomit, so Yan Song gave up. Ever since then, Bianyifang became famous. Today the name of Bianyifang means fair price and considerate service to the guests. [9]
Branches edit
At present, Bianyifang has eight branch restaurants in Beijing, the capital of China: Hademen Branch, Yutingqiao Branch, Xingfu Street Branch, Anhua Branch, Hangtian Branch, New World Center Branch, Jianxiang Branch, Fufenglu Restaurant and Xianyukou Branch. Outside Beijing, there are three branches: Sanmenxia Branch in Henan Province, Hohhot Branch in Inner Mongolia, and Tangdu Branch in Shanxi Province.[10]
Relevant character edit
One significant character related to Bianyifang was Yang Jisheng, a vice minister of the Ministry of War (now the Ministry of National Defense) in the Ming Dynasty. He was always loyal to the emperor. He worked hard to serve people. He enjoyed a good reputation among the folks. He was so blunt that he reported a serious crime to the emperor despite of his own life. Unfortunately, Yang was framed by a treacherous Prime Minister called Yan Song. Yang was sent to the jail. Yang was so brave and persistent that he would never give in. Even when he got scars all over him, he tried to bear the huge pain of ridding the rotted parts on his body. He was deeply honored by the folks. The guests often came up with Yang when they visited Bianyifang.[11]
Peking Duck edit
Peking duck, known as Peking roast duck or Beijing roast duck, is taken as an outstanding representative of Chinese cuisine and enjoys a high reputation in China and the world.[12] Peking Duck originates from the Northern and Southern Dynasties of China, and its long history gives this dish an unique background. At that time, Peking duck was a dish for the court, and the ingredients used were the best. Peking duck has a beautiful color and looks very appetizing. It is delicious but not greasy and has a long aftertaste.[13]
Today, Peking duck is found in every city in China. Many tourists come to Beijing for the sake of tasting the best Peking duck.[14] Many foreign tourists also came to Beijing to experience the most special Chinese taste. The taste of this dish is very unique, but the process of making it is quite complicated. The cooks must strictly follow a certain production process to make delicious Peking duck. There are three main restaurants in China that focus on Peking duck, including Dadong, Quanjude as well as Bianyifang. Peking duck has attracted customers deeply with its unique flavor and special historical background. [15]
The Peking duck in Bianyifang is rather different from that from others. For instance, Quanjude employs an open-oven to cook Peking duck, whereas Bianyifang uses a closed one, which makes the skin of the duck crispier and more succulent.[16] Peking duck has a certain way of eating. To taste the perfect taste of Peking duck, it is suggested to add some condiments, and then follow certain steps.[17]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Haw, Stephen G. (2006-11-22). "Beijing - A Concise History". doi:10.4324/9780203968611.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Legend of Bianyifang". Beijing Tourism. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ashton, Curtis (2012). "Peking Duck as a museum spectacle: staging local heritage for Olympic tourism". Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change. 10 (2): 150–166. doi:10.1080/14766825.2012.683955. ISSN 1476-6825.
- ^ "The Perseverance and Innovation of Bianyifang". Xinhuanet. Retrieved Feb 15, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Duck Tales". Medium. Retrieved Feb 17, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Beijing's Oldest Restaurant". Beijing Tourism. Retrieved Feb 15, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Robinson, M; Ploner, J (2016). Tourism at the Olympic Games: Visiting the World. London: Routledge. pp. 65–66. ISBN 9781315674773.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Sun, Jiahui. "Duck Tales: A look at the long history of Peking Duck". The World of Chinese. Retrieved Feb 17, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ 袁, 家方 (2016). "便宜坊字号名称的由来与特色". 时代经贸: 36–37.
- ^ Zhang, Junmian (2013-07-22). "Top 10 Peking Duck restaurants". China.org. Retrieved Feb 15, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Feng, Xiuwen (2016). On Aesthetic and Cultural Issues in Pragmatic Translation: Based on the Translation of Brand Names and Brand Slogans. London: Routledge. p. 59. ISBN 9781315723631.
- ^ "Beijing Roast Duck". Travel China Guide. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Wei, Ma . "Beijing Bianyifang,No.1 of the 600-year "Kiln-roast Duck"." 中国对外贸易：英文版 13(2006):18-19.
- ^ "Bianyifang(便宜坊烤鸭店)". TimeOut. Retrieved Feb 15, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ye, Jun (2008-01-19). "The mighty ducks". China Daily. Retrieved Feb 15, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Bianyifang". Beijing Tourism. Retrieved Feb 16, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Kenji, James. "A Foreigner's Survival Guide to Ordering and Eating Peking Duck in Beijing". seriouseats. Retrieved Feb 17, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links edit
Category:Dongcheng District, Beijing Category:Restaurants in Beijing Category:1416 establishments in Asia Category:15th-century establishments in China Category:1855 establishments in China Category:Chinese restaurants Category:Chinese brands
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