Bang bang chicken

Bang bang chicken (Chinese: 棒棒雞; pinyin: bàng bàng jī; lit. 'bang-bang chicken'), also known by variant names such as bam bam chicken or bon bon chicken, is a popular chicken dish in Chinese cuisine. The name bang bang chicken is derived from the Chinese word for stick, bàng (棒), referring to the baton or cudgel traditionally used to tenderize the meat.

Bon bon chicken with sauce

Origins

Bang bang chicken originates in the street food of Sichuan. Some food historians believe it to have originated in the town of Hang Yang Ba during the early 20th century.[1] The name of the dish comes from bàng (棒), the Chinese word for stick. This is a reference to the wooden stick or cudgel used to tenderize the meat.[2] A popular myth claims that the name comes from the sound of tenderizing the meat by pounding it, but this is unlikely.[2][3]

Bon bon chicken without sauce served with a salad

Preparation

Bang bang chicken is prepared by poaching or steaming chicken. The cooked chicken is banged with sticks to tenderize it and pound it into shreds.[4] In traditional recipes, the shredded meat is tossed in a sauce made with sesame paste, chili oil, Sichuan pepper and black vinegar.[1][5] Fresh herbs are also tossed with it.[6] Variations of the sauce may include chile peppers, peanuts, garlic, ginger and soy sauce.[7][8][9] It is traditionally served with julienned cucumbers.[1][4]

Variations
Bang bang shrimp

Westernized variations of "bang bang chicken" are served in American Chinese cuisine. Many of these recipes are based around breaded and fried chicken or shrimp in a mayonnaise sauce.[3][10] These recipes may have been popularized by "bang bang shrimp" dishes on the menus of American fast food chains like Bonefish Grill and have little in common with the authentic Chinese dish.[1] This variation is prepared by breading pieces of boneless chicken and deepfrying them. The fried meat is then coated in a sauce based on mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce.[11][12]

Bang bang shrimp

Bang bang shrimp is considered to be the progenitor of mayonnaise-based "bang bang" dishes in the United States.[1] It is prepared in a similar manner as American style bang bang chicken, using whole shrimp instead of chicken pieces.[13]

See also

References
  1. Erway, Cathy (2020-03-23). "Bang Bang Chicken's Identity Crisis". TASTE. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  2. "What Is 'Bang-Bang' Chicken?". CulinaryLore. 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  3. "How Bang Bang Chicken Got Its Name". Tasting Table. 2022-11-06. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  4. Judy (2018-08-26). "Bang Bang Chicken: The Authentic Sichuan Version". The Woks of Life. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  5. The Chinese Kitchen: A Book of Essential Ingredients with Over 200 Easy and ... - Deh-Ta Hsiung. p. 61.
  6. Tate, Nate; Tate, Mary Kate (2011-09-20). Feeding the Dragon: A Culinary Travelogue Through China with Recipes. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4494-0848-0.
  7. "Bang Bang Chicken - The Washington Post". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  8. "Bang bang chicken recipe". BBC Food. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  9. Kwan, K. P. (2019-10-05). "Bang Bang Chicken How To Prepare In 3 Quick Steps". Taste Of Asian Food. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  10. "How to Make Modern Bang Bang Chicken". Serious Eats. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  11. "We Would Legit Drink The Sauce On This Bang Bang Shrimp". Delish. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  12. Winners, Recipe (2021-07-07). "How To Make Bang Bang Chicken, It's So Easy". Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  13. "How to Make 'Bang Bang Shrimp' Exactly Like Bonefish Grill". Taste of Home. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2023-05-25.

Further reading


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