what is chicken feet in cantonese

Try this quick and easy method to make dim sum style chicken feet. This home-style recipe offers the same flavour and tenderness with less time and effort.

鳳爪 (fung6 zaau2 | feng4 zhao3) : chicken’s feet (dim sum) – CantoDict. This term is used in both Cantonese and Mandarin/Standard written Chinese.
what is chicken feet in cantonese

What are dim sum chicken feet

Like Har Gow, Cheung Fun and Char Siu Bao, chicken feet are a classic dish found in all authentic Cantonese dim sum restaurants. You may find it strange, but it’s a go-to delicacy for many Chinese diners, myself included.

The Chinese name of this dish Chi Zhi Feng Zhao/豉汁凤爪 literally means fermented black bean sauce phoenix claws (a romanticised term for chicken feet). It’s loved for the umami-rich, complex flavours and pleasantly gelatinous texture.

Step 2 (Optional): Air-fry and soak

what is chicken feet in cantonese

Preheat your air fryer at 200°C/390°F. Coat the blanched chicken feet with oil (spray or rub with hands). Place them in the air fryer basket and set the timer to 10 minutes or until you see blisters forming on the skin. While frying, open the basket to flip and shake the feet a couple of times.

what is chicken feet in cantonese

Once done, immerse the feet in a large bowl of cold water. Allow to soak in the refrigerator for 2 hours (or overnight). Then drain well.

NOTE: The air-frying and soaking process is an alternative to the traditional deep-frying and soaking method. This procedure softens the chicken feet’ skin and gives them a wrinkled look. It’s perfectly fine to skip this pre-cooking step altogether and simply prolong the braising time in the next step.

what is chicken feet in cantonese

Heat oil in a wok/pot. Add garlic, ginger, dried chilli, star anise, bay leaves and fermented black beans. Fry over low heat until the garlic turns lightly golden and fragrant.

what is chicken feet in cantonese

Put in the chicken feet, then add oyster sauce, light and dark soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and sugar. Pour in about 400ml (1¾ cups) of hot water.

what is chicken feet in cantonese

Bring it to a boil then cover with a lid. Leave to simmer over low heat for 30 minutes or so until the chicken feet’ skin becomes tender.

what is chicken feet in cantonese

Remove the lid and turn the heat to high to boil down the braising liquid. When the broth thickens, transfer to a plate and serve.

NOTE: If the chicken feet haven’t been air-fried, extend the braising time to 40 minutes. You can use an instant pot or a slow cooker for the braising step.

Chicken Feet: Just Like Dim Sum! (鳳爪)

FAQ

What are chicken feet called?

The thigh ends at the lower leg (drumstick). The thigh is connected to the shank (foot) at the hock joint, which is the equivalent of the ankle in humans. Chickens stand and walk on their toes.

What is feet in Cantonese?

腳(goek3 | jiao3 ) : foot, feet – CantoDict.

How do you say chicken leg in Cantonese?

雞髀鎚 (gai1 bei2 ceoi4 | ) : chicken leg (with thigh) – CantoDict.

What is fung zao in Cantonese?

Fung zao: Known as ‘phoenix talons‘ in Cantonese, these chicken feet dim sum hit the scene internationally in the 1960s. Maybe an acquired taste, the feet are fried, then simmered with fermented black beans and chilli until meltingly gelatinous and juicy.

Leave a Comment