Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster – Panlasang Pinoy

June 5, 2025

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Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster is that form of avenue meals you style as soon as—and immediately begin craving once more. It’s crispy, juicy, and filled with daring flavors from five-spice, garlic, and people addictive fried basil leaves. Consider it because the Taiwanese cousin of your favourite fried rooster, simply with a punchier kick and ideal for snacking whereas watching Netflix or hanging out. Belief me, when you begin popping these, it’s recreation over.

By: Vanjo Merano
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Printed: 5/31/25

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Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster is a recognized avenue meals snack manufactured from juicy marinated rooster, dredged in a crisp coating and deep-fried. If you happen to’re a fan of that satisfying crunch, then this recipe’s going to be proper up your alley. It’s a flavorful bite-sized recipe that I actually suppose it is best to strive making at residence.

Most popcorn rooster recipes use cornstarch to make these bites crispy, however this one is completely different. I went for a extra genuine batter utilizing tapioca flour. As a result of in Taiwanese meals like fried child oysters or pork chops, they at all times use candy potato or tapioca starch. And we wish this Taiwanese popcorn rooster to be genuine. One other factor that makes it pop is using holy basil (tulsi) as a result of it provides a peppery, herby notes that set the flavour. Belief me, this model seems crisp, well-seasoned, and 100% well worth the brief time within the kitchen!

What’s Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster?

Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster, or 鹽酥雞 “yán sū jī”, actually means “salt crispy rooster”. It was first found at a avenue meals stand in Tainan, Taiwan again within the Nineteen Seventies. What actually makes it completely different from different fried rooster dishes is its use of candy potato starch or tapioca flour as an alternative of the extra frequent cornstarch. Result’s its mild, puffy crisp.

It began with the Yeh household who tried to recreate American-style rooster nuggets for his or her night time market stand. As an alternative, they unintentionally created one thing even higher, comes the Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster. It exploded in recognition and is now one of the iconic Taiwanese avenue meals gadgets you could find not solely in night time markets but in addition in bubble tea retailers and fashionable eating places.

Elements and Objective

Boneless rooster thighs (2 lbs) – Supplies juicy, flavorful bites that stay tender after frying
Holy basil (1 cup) – Provides a aromatic, barely peppery crunch that elevates the dish
Tapioca flour (1 cup) – Creates an ethereal, crispy coating that defines genuine texture
Cooking oil (4 cups) – Used for deep-frying the rooster and basil to golden perfection

For the Marinade

Maggi Magic Sarap (8 grams) – Enhances the general umami and depth of taste
Soy sauce (2 1/2 tablespoons) – Infuses savory, salty notes into the rooster
Granulated white sugar (1 tablespoon) – Balances the saltiness with delicate sweetness
5 spice powder (1 1/2 teaspoons) – Supplies a heat, fragrant layer of conventional Taiwanese taste
Floor white pepper (1/2 teaspoon) – Provides a gentle, peppery warmth that sharpens the marinade

For the Ultimate Seasoning

Floor black pepper (2 teaspoons) – Lends a daring, spicy end to the fried rooster
Salt (2 teaspoons) – Ties all of the flavors along with a closing savory contact

The right way to Prepare dinner Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster

Prep and Marinate the Rooster – Reduce 2 lbs. of boneless rooster thighs into bite-sized chunks. Be sure the items are roughly equal in dimension for even cooking. Then, place them in a mixing bowl and add 8 grams of Maggi Magic Sarap, 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons 5 spice powder, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Combine completely so each piece will get coated within the marinade. Cowl the bowl and refrigerate it for a minimum of 3 hours. This offers the flavors time to soak into the meat. Skipping this step would depart you with bland rooster that solely tastes good on the surface. If you happen to’re brief on time, go for a minimum of 1 hour, however longer is at all times higher right here.
Coat the Rooster for Frying – After marinating, take the rooster out of the fridge. In the identical bowl, add 1 cup of tapioca flour and gently combine it in along with your fingers. To assist the flour stick and clump up barely for that signature bumpy texture, sprinkle round 1 tablespoon of water over the rooster and toss once more. Let the coated rooster sit for about 3 minutes earlier than frying. This brief relaxation helps the coating stick higher in the course of the frying course of.
Warmth the Oil to the Proper Temperature – Pour 4 cups of cooking oil right into a deep pot or wok. Warmth it as much as round 300°F. Use a thermometer in case you have one. If not, dip the top of a picket chopstick. If it bubbles steadily, the oil is sizzling sufficient. The decrease temp lets the rooster cook dinner by way of with out burning the coating too quick. Too sizzling, and also you’ll find yourself with darkish rooster that’s uncooked inside. Too cool, and it’ll take in the oil and switch greasy.
Deep Fry Till Crispy – Add the coated rooster items in batches to keep away from overcrowding the pot. Fry them for about 6 to 7 minutes or till the surface is golden brown and the rooster inside is absolutely cooked. Take away the fried rooster with a slotted spoon and allow them to drain on a wire rack. Don’t place them on paper towels, as this will lure steam and make the rooster soggy. A wire rack permits airflow and retains them crunchy.
Flash-Fry the Holy Basil – In the identical sizzling oil, drop in 1 cup of holy basil leaves. Fry them for round 1 minute or simply till they’re crisp. Watch out as basil has moisture and might splatter in sizzling oil. Stand again and preserve a lid close by to cowl the pot if wanted. This step may appear small, however the basil provides a vibrant, natural punch that cuts by way of the richness of the rooster. Skip it and also you’ll miss out on that additional Taiwanese aptitude.
Season and Serve – Toss the cooked rooster and fried basil collectively in a clear mixing bowl. Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons every of salt and black pepper, and toss every part till evenly coated. Serve whereas sizzling. That’s when the feel and taste are at their absolute peak. Take pleasure in your Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster!

Suggestions & Methods

Fry basil first – To totally incorporate the basil taste into the oil, fry the basil first earlier than frying your popcorn rooster.
Use a splatter display screen – Particularly useful when frying basil. It retains oil from leaping at you and makes cleanup simpler.
Hold basil dry – Pat the holy basil fully dry earlier than frying to cut back splatter and keep away from oil accidents.

Finest Strategy to Take pleasure in Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster

Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster is the form of snack that simply wants a craving! But when we’re being actual, the perfect time to take pleasure in this dish is late afternoon to early night, identical to how locals snack at night time markets. That golden hour when the lights come on and the air begins cooling down? That’s popcorn rooster time.

Usually, it’s served in paper baggage or small cups for on-the-go snacking alongside the streets of Taiwan. You eat it with a skewer or along with your fingers, tossing the crispy basil leaves in between every bit. No rice, no dipping sauce wanted. It’s daring sufficient by itself. However should you’re consuming at residence, serve it contemporary and sizzling proper out of the fryer with a chilly glass of milk tea or calamansi juice!

How Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster Stands Out

This isn’t your common Western popcorn rooster. In contrast to my unique Popcorn Rooster recipe, which leans towards the American fast-food fashion with an egg dredge and common flour, this Taiwanese model is a completely completely different expertise. Lighter, crispier, and filled with flavors from five-spice powder, soy sauce, and a aromatic basil end!

I made different popcorn rooster dishes, just like the KFC-Type Popcorn Rooster with Gravy, however that is completely different. That one was heavy, wealthy, and dipped in gravy, a consolation meals fashion. This one is lighter, crispier, and deeply fragrant. That is the form of taste that lingers and retains you reaching for yet another chew… then yet another after that.

What to Have With Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster

You’ll discover Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster in night time markets, usually offered with easy however flavorful companions. One traditional pairing is good potato fries seasoned with plum powder. They’re crisp, candy, and salty multi functional. Rooster and fries, however Taiwanese variations! One other nice aspect is coleslaw, which cuts by way of the richness with a little bit of tang and crunch.

At residence, you’ll be able to pair it with fried rice, noodles, and even congee if you would like one thing comforting. And naturally, it may well by no means go flawed with a relaxing glass of brown sugar milk tea or wintermelon juice. These drinks steadiness out the peppery chew of the rooster and provides that traditional Taiwanese avenue meals really feel, no passport wanted!

Prompt Recipes: Taiwanese Road Meals

If you happen to’re planning a full Taiwanese avenue meals night time, I’ve received just a few extra recipes that can flip your desk into an actual night time market feast.

First up, Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Niurou Mian) – Beef noodle soup is Taiwan’s nationwide dish. Similar to the crispy punch of popcorn rooster, this noodle soup brings heat spices and wealthy taste in each chew.
Subsequent, Braised Pork Ribs – Pair these with plain white rice or fried rice and also you’ll have what locals name “Lu Rou Fan,” a brilliant savory rice topping meal. It shares the identical deeply marinated flavors and soy-forward base that you just get within the popcorn rooster.
Lastly, you’ll be able to’t discuss Taiwan with out Fried Mushrooms. Mushrooms in night time markets are typically braised with candy soy sauce, and typically they’re fried.

Let me know which one you’re making an attempt first. However warning: when you strive the actual Taiwanese taste, particularly this Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster, you may not return to common fried rooster once more!

Did you make this? If you happen to snap a photograph, please make sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we will see your creations!