The Xiao 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 offers a delightful culinary experience.
A beloved specialty of Hung Yen, widely enjoyed.
Crafted from premium chicken, this dish undergoes meticulous preparation, showcasing the skill of the people of Pho Hien. The process begins with selecting the finest free-range chickens, choosing only the largest and healthiest. The meat is then cleaned, deboned, and minced by hand, ensuring only the tenderest parts are used.
The chicken breast and thigh meat are cut into small pieces and pounded in a mortar, similar to traditional Vietnamese pork pâté. Once the meat is nearly smooth and cohesive, egg yolks are added, giving the pate a golden hue when grilled. This step is crucial for its appealing appearance.
A meticulous and intricate process.
Next, seasonings such as salt, pepper, fish sauce, ginger water, minced shallots, and a touch of pork fat are added for richness. Hand-pounding is essential to achieve the perfect texture—neither too smooth nor too coarse. A secret to enhancing the aroma is adding tangerine peel, an indispensable ingredient in Xiao Quan Chicken Pate.
Staying true to tradition, locals use coconut leaves or fresh banana leaves to spread the minced chicken onto bamboo mats for grilling. Grilled over charcoal, the mats are continuously turned to ensure even cooking. This labor-intensive process can take half a day for a single batch, and a second 30-minute grilling session after cooling ensures the pate reaches its full flavor potential.
Each pate emerges from the grill perfectly aromatic and flavorful.
Traditionally, Xiao Quan Chicken Pate was primarily made for family consumption due to its intricate preparation. Renowned families like the Diem, Ho, and Luong clans have been perfecting this craft for over 70 years. Today, with growing demand, visitors to Hung Yen can purchase this delicacy for home cooking or as a thoughtful gift. At approximately 370,000 VND per kilogram, it’s an affordable indulgence.
Modern adaptations offer Xiao Quan Chicken Pate in various shapes to suit different uses.
