Zanyi Spicy Chicken

Zanyi Spicy Chicken

　　Zanyi Spicy Chicken is a famous Chinese culinary specialty, a representative dish of Yunnan cuisine, and also a promotional icon for Qujing and Zanyi. Originating from Xiping Town, Zanyi County, Qujing City, Yunnan Province, it has a history of over a hundred years. Renowned across the country for its meticulously selected ingredients, complex preparation process, and deliciously spicy and fragrant taste, one of the most representative versions is the Gong Family Spicy Chicken.

　　Unlike the numbing spice of Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine enhanced by Sichuan peppercorns, or the boldness of Hunan’s raw chili-eating culture, the only small place that can build a "spicy" reputation solely on one dish is probably Zanyi County in central Yunnan — the source of the Pearl River, China’s third-largest river, and the hometown of notable figures such as Gui Taosheng and Chen Jiashun. When it comes to Yunnan cuisine, Zanyi Spicy Chicken is absolutely not to be underestimated. Since its promotion by the Gong family of Zanyi in the last century, its development has spanned several decades. Today, Zanyi Spicy Chicken is renowned far and wide. Served with a side of bitter vegetable soup, fried potato strips, and stinky tofu, it may not be luxurious or ostentatious, but Zanyi Spicy Chicken definitely brings a comfortable heat and a satisfying meal to diners. As a representative dish of Yunnan cuisine, Zanyi Spicy Chicken stands out with its unique ingredients, secret recipe, and special cooking technique. It is spicy yet not harsh, rich yet balanced in flavor, making it famous throughout central Yunnan and celebrated both at home and abroad. It is considered one of the finest dishes in southwestern China and even the whole country, with its signage visible all over the southwest and beyond. As the saying goes, “A trip to colorful Yunnan is incomplete without trying Zanyi Spicy Chicken.” Currently, the most authentic flavors can be found near Zanyi No. 1 Middle School, by the Dongfeng Sluice — at Zanyi Gong Family Spicy Chicken, Gongji Spicy Chicken, and Gongjia Spicy Chicken. The trio of spicy chicken spots has become an amusing and distinctive feature of Zanyi.

　　The founder of Gong Family Spicy Chicken, Ms. Gong Hongyun, is a descendant of Gong Qiqian, a wealthy local from Zanyi where the late-Ming Dynasty great traveler Xu Xiake stayed twice during his two explorations of the Pearl River source.

　　Gong Family Spicy Chicken is made using unique ingredients, a special recipe, and a distinctive cooking process, resulting in a spicy yet not overly harsh taste, with a rich and mellow flavor. It is famous across central Yunnan and renowned internationally. Visitors to Zanyi all consider it a must-try, with some even driving hundreds of kilometers just to have a taste. Its fame has spread widely, leading to signs for “Authentic Zanyi Spicy Chicken” even in provincial capital cities like Kunming. Due to its uniqueness, Zanyi Spicy Chicken is hailed as a delicacy of central Yunnan, often in high demand and short supply.

　　Gong Family Spicy Chicken is made using unique ingredients, a special recipe, and a distinctive cooking process, resulting in a spicy yet not overly harsh taste, with a rich and mellow flavor. It is famous across central Yunnan and renowned internationally. Visitors to Zanyi all consider it a must-try, with some even driving hundreds of kilometers just to have a taste. Its fame has spread widely, leading to signs for “Authentic Zanyi Spicy Chicken” even in provincial capital cities like Kunming. Due to its uniqueness, Zanyi Spicy Chicken is hailed as a delicacy of central Yunnan, often in high demand and short supply. To meet consumer demand, it is now also produced as packaged spicy chicken, which has obtained a national patent and been officially registered, catering to the diverse needs of a wide range of customers.

　　There are two popular stories about the origin of this spicy chicken dish in Qujing.

　　One version says that in 1987, Mr. and Mrs. Gong Guofu and Ding Liqiong, villagers from Village 6 of Hongxing Office, Xiping Town, Zanyi County, opened a small eatery in their two simple rooms by National Highway 320. Initially, they served only home-style dishes, but later, the creative Gong Guofu developed a unique recipe for Zanyi Spicy Chicken based on a type of Guizhou spicy chicken. This led to a booming business, and they eventually specialized in spicy chicken. Their little shop quickly gained a great reputation and became famous all over Yunnan.

　　Another version claims that Gong Guofu’s sister, Gong Hongyun, accidentally knocked over a bowl of chili powder beside the stove into the wok while stir-frying chicken during a Spring Festival over ten years ago. With no other choice, she went ahead and cooked it anyway — and unexpectedly created a uniquely flavorful and spicy dish.

　　In 1987, she used her street-side home to open a small eatery and gradually turned her family’s spicy chicken into a signature specialty dish.