Petit Quan Chicken Pate stands out with its unique appearance.
Once a royal delicacy, this dish boasts a subtle aroma of tangerine peel and pepper, blended with hand-minced chicken. Carefully seasoned and grilled over glowing charcoal, it’s both rich and fragrant. Enjoy it with rice noodles, rice, or baguettes—each pairing delivers an unforgettable flavor experience.
A beloved specialty of Hung Yen, widely enjoyed.
Crafted from premium chicken, this dish reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of Pho Hien’s locals. The process begins with selecting garden-raised chickens, choosing only the largest and healthiest. After cleaning, bones and tendons are removed, leaving only the leanest meat for mincing and preparation.
The chicken’s lean cuts—primarily breast and thigh—are finely chopped and hand-pounded in a mortar, mirroring traditional Vietnamese pork pâté techniques. Once the meat is nearly smooth and cohesive, egg yolks are added to achieve a golden hue during grilling.
A meticulous, time-honored process.
Seasonings such as salt, pepper, fish sauce, ginger water, minced shallots, and a touch of pork fat are added for richness, followed by further pounding. Hand-pounding ensures the meat’s texture remains tender yet intact. A key secret to its aroma is the addition of tangerine peel—an indispensable ingredient in Petit Quan Chicken Pate.
Staying true to tradition, locals use fresh coconut or banana leaves to spread the minced chicken onto bamboo trays for grilling. Grilled over charcoal, the trays are continuously turned for even cooking.
Each pate emerges fragrant and perfectly cooked.
Patience is key—a batch can take half a day, with a second 30-minute grilling session after cooling to ensure perfection. Once done, the pate rests on trays, sliced as needed.
Today, Petit Quan Chicken Pate is available in various shapes to suit diverse uses.
Historically, this labor-intensive delicacy was reserved for families, with renowned makers like the Diễm, Hồ, Bê, and Lượng families, some with over 70 years of tradition. Now, visitors to Hung Yen can purchase this specialty for home cooking or as gifts. At approximately 370,000 VND/kg, it’s an affordable indulgence.
