Shaoxing Zha Ji (Pickled Chicken)

Shaoxing Zha Ji (Pickled Chicken)

　　"Zha Ji" originated among the people and is an indispensable dish for New Year's Eve dinners and Spring Festival banquets. This dish is made primarily from young Yue chickens and wine lees, and is meticulously prepared through processes such as boiling, curing, and pickling. It features tender meat, a savory and delicious taste, and a rich, mellow wine-lees aroma.

The Yue chicken used in "Zha Ji" refers to the large chicken breed from Xiaoshan, Zhejiang. Legend has it that over 2,000 years ago, these chickens were originally raised in the palace of the King of Yue, exclusively for the enjoyment of emperors and concubines, before later being introduced to the public. Hence, they are also called Yue chickens. Yue chickens grow quickly, have a large body size, and adult capons can weigh up to 4 or 5 kilograms. Their meat has a low fat content, making them an excellent meat variety. When used to make Zha Ji, the chicken is exceptionally tender with a rich wine-lees fragrance, offering a distinctive flavor — a true delicacy for the winter season.