Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster – Panlasang Pinoy

June 1, 2025

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Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster is that type of road meals you style as soon as—and immediately begin craving once more. It’s crispy, juicy, and full of 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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Revealed: 5/31/25

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Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster is a identified road meals snack made from juicy marinated rooster, dredged in a crisp coating and deep-fried. In the event you’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 you must attempt making at residence.

Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster – Panlasang Pinoy

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 all the time use candy potato or tapioca starch. And we wish this Taiwanese popcorn rooster to be genuine. One other factor that makes it pop is the usage of 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 quick 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 road meals stand in Tainan, Taiwan again within the Seventies. What actually makes it completely different from different fried rooster dishes is its use of candy potato starch or tapioca flour as a substitute of the extra frequent cornstarch. Result’s its gentle, 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 a substitute, they unintentionally created one thing even higher, comes the Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster. It exploded in recognition and is now one of the iconic Taiwanese road meals gadgets you’ll find not solely in night time markets but additionally in bubble tea retailers and trendy eating places.

Components 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 Remaining 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 remaining savory contact

Methods to Cook dinner Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster

Prep and Marinate the Rooster – Lower 2 lbs. of boneless rooster thighs into bite-sized chunks. Make certain 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 every bit will get coated within the marinade. Cowl the bowl and refrigerate it for a minimum of 3 hours. This provides the flavors time to soak into the meat. Skipping this step would go away you with bland rooster that solely tastes good on the skin. In the event you’re quick on time, go for a minimum of 1 hour, however longer is all the time 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 together with your arms. 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 quick relaxation helps the coating stick higher throughout 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 you probably have one. If not, dip the top of a wood chopstick. If it bubbles steadily, the oil is scorching sufficient. The decrease temp lets the rooster cook dinner via with out burning the coating too quick. Too scorching, 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 skin 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 could lure steam and make the rooster soggy. A wire rack permits airflow and retains them crunchy.
Flash-Fry the Holy Basil – In the identical scorching 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 may splatter in scorching oil. Stand again and preserve a lid close by to cowl the pot if wanted. This step might sound small, however the basil provides a vivid, natural punch that cuts via 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 little thing till evenly coated. Serve whereas scorching. That’s when the feel and taste are at their absolute peak. Get pleasure from your Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster!

Suggestions & Methods

Fry basil first – To completely 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.
Preserve basil dry – Pat the holy basil utterly dry earlier than frying to cut back splatter and keep away from oil accidents.

Greatest Technique to Get pleasure from Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster

Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster is the type of snack that simply wants a craving! But when we’re being actual, the very best time to get pleasure from 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 luggage or small cups for on-the-go snacking alongside the streets of Taiwan. You eat it with a skewer or together with your arms, tossing the crispy basil leaves in between each bit. No rice, no dipping sauce wanted. It’s daring sufficient by itself. However if you happen to’re consuming at residence, serve it contemporary and scorching 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. Not like my authentic Popcorn Rooster recipe, which leans towards the American fast-food type with an egg dredge and common flour, this Taiwanese model is a very completely different expertise. Lighter, crispier, and full of flavors from five-spice powder, soy sauce, and a aromatic basil end!

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

What to Have With Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster

You’ll discover Taiwanese Popcorn Rooster in night time markets, typically bought with easy however flavorful companions. One basic 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 via the richness with a little bit of tang and crunch.

At residence, you may pair it with fried rice, noodles, and even congee in order for you one thing comforting. And naturally, it could actually by no means go fallacious with a relaxing glass of brown sugar milk tea or wintermelon juice. These drinks stability out the peppery chunk of the rooster and provides that basic Taiwanese road meals really feel, no passport wanted!

Steered Recipes: Taiwanese Avenue Meals

In the event you’re planning a full Taiwanese road meals night time, I’ve acquired just a few extra recipes that may 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. Identical to the crispy punch of popcorn rooster, this noodle soup brings heat spices and wealthy taste in each chunk.
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 simply get within the popcorn rooster.
Lastly, you may’t speak about Taiwan with out Fried Mushrooms. Mushrooms in night time markets are generally braised with candy soy sauce, and generally they’re fried.

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

Did you make this? In the event you snap a photograph, please be certain tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we are able to see your creations!