In recent years, Cai Chien has emerged as an alluring off-the-beaten-path destination for travelers seeking untouched natural beauty, fresh air, and unique local cuisine.
The pristine beauty of Cai Chien captivates visitors. Photo by Nguyen Thanh Tuyen
Cai Chien offers a delightful culinary experience with its fresh seafood, including various types of snails, and its famous “two-legged specialty” – the Cai Chien chicken. Since 2015, the local “chicken with a beard” has been recognized as an OCOP product and a culinary attraction of Cai Chien.
Lương Tiến Đạt, a 30-year-old local entrepreneur in the tourism industry and owner of a small farm, shared that the Cai Chien chicken is a native breed that has been raised in the area for a long time. It is known for its firm and flavorful meat, leaving a lasting impression on those who taste it.
“The Cai Chien chicken has short legs, yellow skin, and small bones. As it matures, a cluster of long feathers grows under its beak, resembling a beard. This unique feature sets it apart from other chicken breeds and gives it its name,” said Đạt.
The Cai Chien chicken has a distinctive appearance with its “beard.” Photo by Lương Tiến Đạt
According to Đạt, the “beard” can also grow right after the crest, giving the chicken a feathered cap-like appearance. Their feathers are quite stunning. “Both male and female chickens can have beards, and when cooked, their skin turns a beautiful golden color, tasting crispy without any greasy feeling,” he added.
Female Cai Chien chickens also sport beards and golden feathers and legs. Photo by Lương Tiến Đạt
Đạt mentioned that this chicken breed is quite delicious and popular among food enthusiasts, but it is challenging to reproduce due to a low hatching rate when using natural incubation methods.
The locals on Cai Chien Island primarily raise these chickens traditionally, allowing them to forage for food in herbal medicine gardens. They supplement their diet with rice and grains.
“Because they are raised naturally, Cai Chien chickens grow slowly. It takes about 6 months to a year for a female chicken to reach 1.6 to 2 kg, while a castrated male chicken needs 8 months to a year or more to attain 2.5 to 3.2 kg. This breed needs to be castrated to prevent the meat from becoming tough and discolored,” Đạt explained.
Đạt’s family rears Cai Chien chickens in their garden. Photo by Lương Tiến Đạt
Historically, the locals on the island have carefully reared these chickens, preserving the breed to prevent its degeneration over time.
Photo by Lương Tiến Đạt
Cai Chien chickens are prepared in a variety of mouthwatering dishes, with steaming and boiling being the most common methods. These simple cooking techniques preserve the chicken’s natural flavor, resulting in sweet and savory meat and crispy golden skin.
Additionally, the islanders also braise, grill, or steam-cook the chickens with salt. The signature dish of the island is the salt-steamed chicken. The chicken is cleaned, wrapped in banana leaves, and then covered with a thick layer of salt before being steamed over low heat. When cooked, the chicken absorbs the fragrant flavors of the banana leaves and sea salt, creating a delectable dish.
Cai Chien chickens are transformed into delectable dishes. Photo by Lương Tiến Đạt
Currently, Cai Chien chickens are sold in the market at a price ranging from 230,000 to 250,000 VND per kg.
The ideal time to visit Cai Chien Island is from April to July, as the weather is usually clear and calm during these months. Tourists can take a ferry from the Ghềnh Võ Wharf in Quảng Điền to reach the island.
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