Har cheong gai facts for kids
Har cheong gai
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| Alternative names | Shrimp paste chicken |
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| Place of origin | Singapore |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Chicken mid wings, shrimp sauce, Chinese wine, white pepper, garlic and ginger juice |
Har cheong gai (simplified Chinese: 虾酱鸡; traditional Chinese: 蝦醬雞; pinyin: xiā jiàng jī; literally "shrimp paste chicken") is a tasty Singaporean fried chicken dish. It's made from chicken wings that are fried after being coated in a special batter. This batter gets its unique flavor from a fermented shrimp paste.
What is Har Cheong Gai?
Har cheong gai is one of the most loved family fried chicken dishes in Singapore. Its special taste comes from a unique ingredient called har cheong, which is a fermented shrimp paste. This paste is made from tiny shrimp and gives the chicken a savory, slightly salty flavor.
The shrimp paste used for har cheong gai is usually a pinkish-grey type. This is different from the darker shrimp paste sometimes used in other dishes, like rojak sauce.
How is Har Cheong Gai Made?
Making har cheong gai is a bit different from other fried chicken recipes. First, the chicken is soaked in a special mixture called a marinade. This marinade is full of flavors from the shrimp paste and other spices.
Then, flour and starch (like potato or corn starch) are added directly to this marinade. This creates a seasoned coating, or batter, for the chicken. Often, the chicken is left to soak in this mixture overnight. This helps the chicken soak up all the delicious flavors before it is fried until it's crispy and golden.
Har Cheong Gai Burger
Sometimes, har cheong gai is used to make a chicken sandwich. This is known as a har cheong gai burger. It features a piece of har cheong gai chicken placed inside a soft sesame seed bun. It's often served with fresh salad and creamy mayonnaise.
