Ruan Zha Ji (Soft-Fried Chicken)
Not crispy! Fluffy Chinese fried chicken wrapped in egg white clothes
Description
Japanese Karaage is soy-flavored and crispy. The traditional Chinese 'Ruan Zha Ji' (Soft-fried chicken) uses chicken breast wrapped in a batter of 'egg whites and starch', fried at a low temperature until pure white and incredibly fluffy (Ruan). Dipped in Sichuan pepper salt to eat.
Restaurants serving Ruan Zha Ji (Soft-Fried Chicken)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Chicken breast(or tender)
- Egg white
- Potato starch
- Salt
- White pepper
- Sichuan pepper salt(for dipping)
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe & Differences]
- (Meat) Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Marinate lightly with salt, white pepper, wine, and scallion-ginger juice (unlike JP Karaage, NEVER use soy or garlic).
- (Batter) Beat ONLY 'egg whites' until slightly frothy. Add potato/corn starch to create a thick, pure white batter (Ruan Zha Hu).
- Coat the chicken heavily in this egg white batter.
- (Frying) Do not use 180°C high heat. Drop gently into 140-150°C 'low-temp oil'.
- Fry carefully so the batter doesn't brown. Remove when cooked through and the batter puffs up white and fluffy (creating a 'Soft/Ruan' state: slightly crisp outside, soft like a fritter inside).
- Serve with a small dish of 'Jiao Yan' (Roasted Sichuan pepper salt).
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Refreshing aroma and saltiness of Sichuan pepper salt
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Similar texture to Japanese Toriten / Chicken Tempura)
Pairing
Jasmine Tea / Beer
Trivia
[Trivia] Within 'Zha' (deep-frying) techniques, this uses 'Ruan Zha' (Soft-fry): using egg whites and low heat. A high-end/Imperial technique frequently used to lock in the moisture of delicate ingredients like shrimp or squid.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Eaten plain, it is a very delicately flavored, elegant fritter. Dip it lightly into the accompanying 'Jiao Yan' (Sichuan pepper salt). The aroma of the pepper perfectly elevates the subtle umami of the chicken breast.
Allergen
Chicken, Eggs