Why Chinese crispy fried chicken is so popular, and the Hong Kong chefs putting their own innovative spin on the dish
- Known for its paper-thin crisp skin and juicy meat, Chinese-style fried chicken is a popular dish for family gatherings and special occasions in China
- The crispy-skinned chicken is taken to new heights in Hong Kong, where three leading chefs have mastered the recipe and added their own innovative techniques
Nowadays, crispy chicken is one of the most popular dishes for family gatherings in Hong Kong.
Chicken itself has long been a must-have dish for major Chinese holidays, from Mid-Autumn Festival to Winter Solstice and Lunar New Year.
Back in feudal China, chicken was common livestock kept by the average family as the birds could provide eggs as well as meat for sustenance. There is also a saying in Chinese that it is not a feast without chicken.
While chicken might be prepared differently across China, the southern provinces are big on fried, crispy chicken. One local saying, which roughly translates as “red-hot, popular crispy chicken”, is used to facetiously describe someone who is having their 15 minutes of fame.
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A must-have dish when you visit Hong Kong: Crispy chicken
Since red also symbolises luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, deeply burnished crispy chicken is a popular item at feasts, especially in Hong Kong.