Nestled in the heart of Dongguan, Dalingshan Town has long been known for its unique culinary tradition - the lychee wood-smoked goose. This delicacy, which dates back over 600 years, has become an integral part of the local culture and cuisine.
In Dalingshan, roast goose is essential to any feast - from daily meals of smoked goose rice or noodles to the indispensable roast goose at celebratory events like Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Making the perfect roast goose is an art form in itself and you need to carefully balance various techniques to get the desired flavors and textures.
The key to this centuries-old dish lies in the choice of geese. Dalingshan residents prefer the tender, lean black-feathered geese, typically around 80-85 days old and weighing approximately eight pounds. But the true secret lies in the marinade - each household has its own unique blend of seasonings that imparts its distinctive taste.
The use of lychee wood as fuel for roasting the geese is what sets this dish apart. Dalingshan is known for its abundant lychee production, and the leftover lychee wood from pruning is put to ingenious use. The hard, slow-burning lychee wood imparts a subtle, fragrant flavor as the goose is slowly roasted, creating a richness that is neither greasy nor cloying.
Records show that this practice of using lychee wood to smoke geese has been present in Dalingshan's Zuigang Cun village for over six centuries. Today, the tradition of lychee wood-smoked goose remains deeply ingrained in the local culture, with each village and household having its own unique techniques and specialties.
In 2019, the process of making lychee wood-smoked goose was officially recognized as part of Dongguan's intangible cultural heritage. This beloved delicacy not only serves as a source of local pride but also as a symbol of the community's rich culinary heritage.
As the summer heat sets in and the lychees ripen, visitors are invited to venture to Dalingshan to savor this centuries-old tradition - the lychee wood-smoked goose, a true taste of Dongguan's cultural legacy.
Reporter | Xie Maishi, Dalingshan Convergence Media Center
Photo | Dalingshan Convergence Media Center
