Beggar's Chicken
叫花雞
- Country
- China
- Region
- Jiangsu
- Recipes
- 3 Recipes
Origins & Characteristics of Beggar's Chicken
Beggar's Chicken, or 'Jiao Hua Ji' (叫花雞), is a legendary dish originating from the Huaiyang cuisine of Jiangsu province, China, with a tale rooted in desperation and ingenuity. Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, a beggar, whose name was also Jiao Hua, stole a chicken but had no utensils to cook it. In desperation, he wrapped the fowl in mud and lotus leaves and baked it in embers. The result was an incredibly tender, aromatic, and flavorful chicken, surprising even the discerning palate of an emperor who happened to taste it. This culinary accident gave birth to one of China's most famous and elaborate dishes. The modern preparation involves meticulous marination of a whole chicken (often marinated overnight with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, five-spice powder, ginger, and sometimes herbs like Ligusticum wallichii), wrapping it securely in lotus leaves, and encasing the entire package in a thick layer of clay or salt dough. This is then baked slowly in an oven or traditional hearth. The process seals in the juices and infuses the meat with the subtle fragrance of the lotus leaves, resulting in exceptionally succulent and fragrant poultry. The dish gained prominence through famous restaurants in regions like Hangzhou and Suzhou. Its rich history, combined with the theatrical element of cracking open the hardened crust at the table, makes Beggar's Chicken a dish celebrated for both its unique preparation and its flavorful, tender outcome, a testament to humble origins leading to culinary stardom.
History of Beggar's Chicken
The classic tale of the beggar 'Jiao Hua' supposedly inventing the dish during the Qing Dynasty.
The dish becomes more refined and popular in restaurants in Jiangsu province, moving beyond its legendary origins.
Famous restaurants in Shanghai and Hangzhou begin to feature Beggar's Chicken, further solidifying its reputation.
The dish is mentioned in early Chinese culinary texts, documenting its preparation and regional variations.
Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the dish continues to be a celebrated part of traditional cuisine.
With China's 'Reform and Opening Up' policy, traditional dishes like Beggar's Chicken experience a resurgence in popularity and refinement.
Beggar's Chicken gains international recognition as a unique and labor-intensive Chinese delicacy.
