HCM CITY — Grilled chicken feet may sound unappetizing, specially when compared to chicken wings, drumsticks or lemniscus steaks, but they are actually a airiness in Việt Nam, often eaten by many locals with friends and beer .
The recipe is simple : raw chicken feet are marinated with salt, shallots, garlic, chili and other spices, and then grilled to a crisp on a charcoal grill, with vegetable oil brushed on them occasionally.
The feet are served with piquant dipping sauces and vegetables, a arrant dish to eat slowly while chatting with friends .
This dish is often categorised by many as “ món nhậu ” – a dish that is typically not filling and not meant to be eaten as separate of a full meal, but is small and savory for snacking .
Grilled chicken feet can be an acquire taste, specially for anyone who eats the meatier parts of the chicken. But nibbling on these crisp delights will quickly reveal why they are so beloved by many adults in Việt Nam .
When properly grilled, the skin can be very flavorful and crisp, with a tip of gaminess lingering on the tongue after every bite. The juicy and rich tendons are not excessively filling, and combined with the savory skin, it ‘s no surprise that many people find them irresistible .
Grilled chicken feet is beloved by many locals due to its crisp, blue skin and fat tendons. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng
Popular snack
In the flush, many locals can be found gathering at outdoor vendors or restaurants, chatting with friends while eating grilled wimp feet, slowly nibbling the skin and taking apart all the joints to reach the juicy tendons .
Nguyễn Thanh Sang, who has been a grill chicken seller in Tân Bình District for 10 years, says that chicken feet are his most popular cup of tea. Some customers are able to eat up to 20 pairs of feet in one seat, and others even express disappointment after he runs out of the nosh.
While the recipe seems simple, there are few factors that can make or break the dish .
“ If the feet are excessively small, customers wo n’t like them. But if they are excessively big and they find them besides fatty and not crispy adequate, we will have to select the right chicken feet size to buy, ” Sang says .
Locals much enjoy grilled chicken feet as a bite while hanging out with friends. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng
Trương Nguyễn Thanh Hải, who is a chicken and octopus grill seller in Bình Thạnh District, says that chicken feet are cheap and big to eat with beer .
He started making grilled chicken feet after taking his wife to snack on the dish every day .
“ A draw of foreigners often enjoy the meaty parts and tend not to like to nibble, but they should try these. Eating chicken feet has this ‘ bite by bit ’ find, and you can in truth savour the season. ”
Nguyễn Minh Hiền, a frequent customer at Hải ’ sulfur place, says that he typically eats chicken feet once a week, and that the feet are great for people who like to nibble on bones and do not like chicken parts that have excessively much kernel.
While grilled chicken feet is not for everyone ‘s taste, if you are looking for a light tasty bite to entertain a small gather of friends, this serve may barely hit the spot. — VNS