Bitter Lychee Duck Confit Breakfast Crepes
Delicate, savory crepes are filled with slow-cooked, tender duck confit infused with the complex flavors of bitter melon and sweet lychee. This dish offers a unique breakfast experience, balancing the richness of duck with a refreshing, slightly tart fruitiness and a hint of umami from the duck fat.

Prep Time
120 min
Difficulty
Hard
Servings
4
Calories
650 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Rinse duck legs and pat dry. Season generously with salt and pepper. Place duck legs in a large pot, ensuring they are submerged in duck fat. Add thyme sprigs and crushed garlic cloves. Cover and confit in an oven preheated to 150°C (300°F) for 2 hours, or until tender.
~150 min - 2
While duck is confiting, prepare the bitter melon. Halve the melon lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and slice thinly. Blanch the bitter melon in boiling salted water for 2 minutes to reduce bitterness. Drain and rinse with cold water.
~10 min - 3
Peel and pit the lychees. Roughly chop the lychees and finely dice the red onion. In a medium bowl, combine the blanched bitter melon, chopped lychees, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and lime juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
~10 min - 4
Once the duck is confited, remove the legs from the fat. Shred the duck meat using two forks, discarding skin and bones. Reserve some of the duck fat for cooking the crepes.
~5 min - 5
Prepare the crepe batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and salt until smooth. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
~20 min - 6
Heat a lightly oiled non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Pour about 60ml of batter into the pan, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook for 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter, making about 8 crepes.
~20 min - 7
In a small saucepan, gently warm the reserved duck fat. Stir in the shredded duck confit and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through. Add the bitter melon and lychee mixture to the duck and toss gently to combine.
~8 min - 8
Spoon the duck confit and bitter melon-lychee filling onto one half of each crepe. Fold the crepes in half and then in half again to form a triangle. Serve immediately.
~5 min
Tips
- To reduce bitterness further, you can soak the sliced bitter melon in salt water for 30 minutes before blanching.
- For a smoother crepe, strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve before letting it rest.
Featured Collections
Popular Recipes
HalalBitter Melon & Shrimp Stuffed Crispy Rolls
These delicate Vietnamese-inspired appetizers feature a unique filling of slightly bitter Chinese bitter melon, plump shrimp, and savory herbs, all encased in a perfectly crispy spring roll wrapper. The interplay of textures and the complex bitter-sweet-sour-umami flavor profile makes them an unforgettable starter.
HalalGà Kho Gừng Sả Ngò Gai
This dish features tender chicken pieces braised in a fragrant broth infused with ginger, lemongrass, and star anise, creating a complex savory and aromatic profile. Served with fresh herbs and a bright lime wedge, it's a comforting yet invigorating Vietnamese lunch.
HalalLemongrass & Lime Leaf Shrimp Skewers with Tamarind Glaze
These vibrant skewers feature succulent shrimp marinated in the zesty flavors of lemongrass and kaffir lime. A tangy tamarind glaze adds a complex sour and slightly sweet finish, making them an addictive appetizer.
HalalSpicy Lemongrass Duck Noodles
Tender duck leg, braised in a fragrant broth infused with lemongrass, ginger, and chili, served over springy rice noodles. This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors, making it a perfect and satisfying dinner.