#Roasted Duck by Pa Ord

[formeryelpers]

Roasted Duck by Pa Ord, 5136 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles (East Hollywood), CA 90027

Pa Ord recently opened a tiny eatery that specializes in Thai style Chinese roast duck. And if you love roast duck, it’s definitely worth a visit. Most people order the roasted duck special (the single serves one, the couple serves two), but they also have appetizers, salads, mains, and drinks. You can get duck in different ways – duck curry, stewed duck noodles, duck fried rice, spicy basil duck, etc. And they also have non-duck dishes with chicken, beef, fish, pork, and shrimp.

I’ve been eating Chinese roast duck all my life, so I’m very familiar with it, but it was my first time having Thai style Chinese roast duck. The Thai style duck features roast duck that’s bathed in a five-spice duck gravy and served with dipping sauces, duck gravy and a vinegary sweet-spicy soy sauce. One gravy tastes like it has duck drippings in it. I was surprised that they took the bones out, because a Chinese BBQ shop doesn’t debone the duck. Also, the jade noodles were different (they’re green because they’re made with spinach) but the soft texture isn’t that different from thin Chinese egg noodles. The condiments are also different (dried chili peppers and pickled jalapenos).

Roasted duck special for two ($35) with two side dishes (steamed white rice or jade noodle). I’m not sure how I feel about adding gravy to roast duck but the gravy was made with duck drippings, so it didn’t mask the duck flavor. It was on the sweeter side though and not spicy. The gravy did help flavor the plain jade noodles. Also, the jade noodles were stuck together, so the gravy helped separate the noodles. The duck was very tender and flavorful. The skin wasn’t crispy but then again, it usually isn’t crispy with a Chinese roast duck. I loved how they deboned the duck. The Chinese broccoli was nice – a bit bitter, crunchy, and fresh. I preferred the tangy sauce to the duck gravy.  

The restaurant is so small that it seats about 10 people inside and about 5 or 6 people outside. One of the employees asked if I wanted water and she meant bottled water (the only kind of water that they have). It wasn’t clear though. The shared parking lot is small.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

By Lolia S.