Flavorful garlic-fried chicken from Hon Son

Before tourism developed, the people of Hon Son Island, Kien Hai District (Kien Giang Province) mainly lived by fishing. Those living near the summit of Ma Thien Lanh Mountain primarily used the land for farming and raising chickens for sale. As Hon Son Island became more well-known to tourists, locals opened restaurants to serve visitors. The coastal area offers fresh seafood, while the mountain offers dishes like chicken in broth, steamed chicken, chicken hotpot... especially the garlic-fried chicken, which is very popular with tourists.

Hon Son garlic-fried chicken and young banana blossom salad attract diners from near and far.

According to locals, Hon Son garlic-fried chicken is made from free-range chicken, with firm, sweet meat, marinated with rich spices. These free-range chickens, weighing 1.5-2kg, mainly feed on plants and insects.

According to many local chefs, each has their own secret recipe for marinating chicken. The chicken is cleaned, marinated with garlic and fish sauce until well-seasoned, then placed in a pot, coconut water is added, and the pot is covered and cooked over low heat. After about 20 minutes, the liquid gradually evaporates, and the chicken is pierced with chopsticks to check for doneness. Once the chicken is cooked, the chef adds the sauce, simmers it until thickened, seasons it, and then turns off the heat.

The chicken is arranged on a plate, alongside a plate of young banana stem salad mixed with fragrant coriander. Diners can cut it with scissors or tear it by hand and dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce. The pristine white meat and golden-brown skin blend with the slightly astringent, sour taste of the young banana stem salad, the salty and sweet flavors of the fish sauce, and the spicy kick of the chili... creating a rich and savory dish.

“This is the first time I’ve tasted garlic-fried chicken. It’s delicious; the chicken is fragrant, sweet, and firmer than elsewhere. The chicken tastes great with the young banana blossom salad, and it’s not at all cloying,” shared Ms. Quách Kim Loan, a resident of Cà Mau province.

Hon Son's garlic-fried chicken captivates diners with its rustic flavor. On the way to conquering Ma Thien Lan peak, don't forget to stop and enjoy this delicious chicken dish.

Text and photos: THUY TIEN

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