Hulu Ji
Hulu Ji (Gourd Chicken) is a famous Shaanxi banquet dish where a whole chicken is first steamed, then deep-fried until the skin is blisteringly crisp while the meat inside remains incredibly tender. The chicken is shaped to resemble a gourd (hulu), hence the name.
Ingredients
- Whole chicken 1 (about 1kg)
- Ginger 20g (sliced)
- Scallions 5
- Star anise 3
- Cinnamon stick 1
- Light soy sauce 2 tbsp
- Shaoxing wine 2 tbsp
- Rock sugar 10g
- Salt 1 tbsp
- Cooking oil 3 cups (for deep frying)
Instructions
- 1. Clean chicken. Rub inside and out with salt and Shaoxing wine.
- 2. Stuff cavity with ginger and scallions. Marinate 2 hours.
- 3. Steam chicken over high heat for 1.5 hours until very tender.
- 4. Remove chicken. Pat completely dry.
- 5. Heat oil to 180C.
- 6. Deep-fry chicken until skin is golden and crispy, about 3 minutes.
- 7. The chicken should maintain its gourd-like shape.
- 8. Carve and serve with pepper-salt dip.
Cultural Notes
Hulu Ji is a classic dish of Chang'an (ancient Xi'an) cuisine with a history of over 1,300 years. Legend says it was a favorite of the Tang Dynasty imperial court. The unique two-stage cooking method (steam then fry) ensures tenderness inside and crispness outside — a technique that requires precision. The dish is served at important banquets and celebrations in Shaanxi.