1Toast the cinnamon, clove, star anise, fennel seed, and Sichuan peppercorns in a dry skillet until fragrant.
2Smash the cinnamon sticks.
3Dump everything into a dedicated spice grinder and grind to a fine powder.
4Combine 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, a small knob of freshly grated ginger, a single clove of freshly grated garlic, 2 teaspoons of seasoned rice vinegar, and 2 teaspoons of sesame seed oil in a medium bowl.
5Add 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce, 2 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter, a few solid pinches of the five-spice mixture, a good twist of freshly ground pepper, and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.
6Whisk to combine, adding cornstarch as necessary to thicken.
7Pour half of the hoisin sauce into the cavity of the duck.
8Stitch the cavity closed using a bamboo skewer by wrapping the skin around the skewer for each stitch.
9Fit the tip of an air compressor hose with the finger of a rubber glove that has a hole cut into it.
10Shove the tip of the air compressor hose into the neck skin of the duck and turn on the compressor, inflating the duck and separating the skin from the meat.
11Scald the duck in a mixture of about 4 cups of water, a quarter cup of soy sauce, and a few of the whole Chinese five-spices.
12Bring to a boil, carefully hold the duck over top, and ladle the mixture across the skin until it takes on a golden color and the skin tightens up.
13Rest the duck in the fridge, uncovered, for at least one day and up to three days, or use a hairdryer to rapidly dry the skin.
14Pull out any stray feathers that the butcher might have missed.
15Roast the duck at 350°F for 1 to 1.5 hours.
16Add 2/3 cup of boiling water to 10 ounces of all-purpose flour.
17Mix until a shaggy dough forms, turn it out onto a floured worktop, and knead until smooth and supple.
18Roll into a 2-inch log and divide into 24 pieces.
19Divide each piece in half.
20Keep the other pieces under plastic wrap until ready to use.
21Roll out both pieces of dough to a 3-inch round on a well-floured work surface.
22Brush one side with a very light film of sesame seed oil.
23Sandwich the two pieces together and roll out to a 7-9 inch pancake.
24Toast the pancake in a dry pan until light brown spots form.
25Remove the wings and legs of the duck.
26Slice the breast meat into about half-inch slices.
27Fill a pancake with duck, thinly sliced cucumber, and scallions.