Kai yang facts for kids
Kai yang or Gai yang is a super yummy dish of grilled chicken! Its name means "grilled chicken" in Thai. This tasty meal comes from the Lao people in Laos and a part of Thailand called Isan (which is in the northeast). But now, you can find Kai yang almost everywhere in Thailand.
You'll often see Kai yang sold at street markets. It's a popular food that's easy to find any time of day. Because it's a traditional dish from Laos and Isan, people often eat it with green papaya salad and sticky rice. Sometimes, it's also served with fresh vegetables and spicy dipping sauces.
There are also some famous Kai yang dishes made by Thai Muslim cooks. These versions are a bit different from the Lao style and are more like grilled chicken you might find in Malaysia.
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What is Kai Yang?
Kai yang is a delicious grilled chicken dish. It's a favorite food in Thailand and Laos. The name Kai yang means "grilled chicken" in the Thai language. In Laos, it's called pīng kai, which also means "roast chicken." No matter the name, it's all about tasty chicken cooked over a flame!
How Kai Yang is Made
Making Kai yang starts with a whole chicken. The chicken is often cut in half and flattened. This helps it cook evenly.
Marinating the Chicken
Before grilling, the chicken is soaked in a special sauce called a marinade. This marinade gives the chicken its amazing flavor. Common ingredients in the marinade include:
- Fish sauce (a salty sauce made from fish)
- Garlic
- Turmeric (a spice that gives a yellow color)
- Coriander root (from the cilantro plant)
- White pepper
Cooking the Chicken
After marinating, the chicken is grilled over a low heat. It's cooked slowly on a charcoal flame. The goal is to make it tender and juicy, not burnt or dry.
Different Flavors
Many different kinds of marinades exist! Some cooks might add other ingredients like:
- Black soy sauce
- Hoisin sauce (a sweet and savory sauce)
- Shallots (like small onions)
- Lemongrass
- Chilis (for a spicy kick)
- Ginger
- Vinegar
- Palm sugar (a natural sweetener)
These different ingredients create many unique and delicious versions of Kai yang!
See also
In Spanish: Kai yang para niños
