At the table
Take one piece onto your plate, work the skin and tendons away from the small bones and leave the bones aside. It is served cool as an appetizer, not as a meaty chicken leg.
Contains chicken and many small bones. Sesame oil and soy sauce may add sesame, soy and wheat, depending on the preparation. Cooking wine or stock seasoning may also be used. Confirm ingredients and cross-contact for allergies. The feet should be fully cooked before chilling and kept refrigerated; vinegar marination does not replace cooking.
Sweetness, acidity and chilli level vary. Some versions omit chilli; others add red chilli. Sesame oil, soy sauce, cooking wine and stock seasoning depend on the recipe. Bone-in and deboned preparations should be distinguished when ordering.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Sweetness, acidity and chilli level vary. Some versions omit chilli; others add red chilli. Sesame oil, soy sauce, cooking wine and stock seasoning depend on the recipe. Bone-in and deboned preparations should be distinguished when ordering.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Bright vinegar acidity balanced with sugar, a little salt and ginger. The illustrated version has a light chilli accent; sesame oil or soy sauce may add aroma and savouriness.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Cool, firm and springy skin and tendons around many small bones. The surface stays moist and smooth rather than fried and wrinkled.
- How it’s made
- The trimmed feet are fully cooked, cooled and marinated under refrigeration in a vinegar-based sweet-sour liquid. Ginger and chilli may season the marinade; finishing sauces vary.
Sweetness, acidity and chilli level vary. Some versions omit chilli; others add red chilli. Sesame oil, soy sauce, cooking wine and stock seasoning depend on the recipe. Bone-in and deboned preparations should be distinguished when ordering.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Guangdong.
About this regional connection
Guangdong: Cantonese chilled sweet-sour chicken feet,distinct from fried-and-steamed dim-sum feet.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有白云凤爪吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A cool Cantonese appetizer
Baiyun chicken feet belong to the Cantonese tradition of sweet-sour chilled appetizers. Their pale appearance and springy texture contrast with the darker, fried-and-steamed chicken feet commonly served at dim sum.