Crispy duck pancakes could be a thing of the past, as Chinatown's establishments are told that the ovens they use to make the delicacy don't comply with EU safety rules.

It could be the swansong for the duck dish, which is popular with tourists and locals alike and is specially prepared in traditional gas ovens.

A ban will affect over 100 restaurants, including London's Ten and the Phoenix Place. Officials have already sealed and permanently closed the ovens in eleven Westminster establishments, which had imported the equipment from China.

Celebrity chef Ken Hom is said to be "livid" with the decision. He told the Daily Telegraph: It's absurd. What do the Europeans know about making Chinese duck? It's just as outrageous as people in Hong Kong being told they can't make fish and chips."

A Westminster Council spokesman said that the oven closure would not spell the end of the tasty dish, but with the cost of a replacement oven reaching £4,000, this may be the beginning of a crispy duck drought.


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