🍚 Why is salted fish and chicken fried rice so popular? Let us explain!

✨ Preface: A classic among classics of tea restaurant

Hey fellow foodies~ When it comes to fried rice, I'm sure names like "Yangzhou Fried Rice" and "Egg Fried Rice" come to mind. But if I had to choose a fried rice dish that's most Hong Kong-style and embodies the soul of a cha chaan teng, I'd definitely pick Salted Fish and Chicken Fried Rice ! 🤤
A plate of fragrant fried rice, with distinct golden rice grains, tender chicken pieces, and the rich aroma of salted fish. Whether it's lunch or a midnight snack, it's incredibly satisfying! 💥
So here comes the question: Why is salted fish and chicken fried rice so popular?

📜 The origin of salted fish and chicken fried rice

Guangdong Salted Fish Culture

Salted fish is one of the traditional foods in Guangdong, especially in the Pearl River Delta area, and has a long history.

• In the past, fishermen would pickle the fish into salted fish for easy preservation.
• Although it smells a bit "heavy", after cooking, the salted fish has a rich flavor, salty and fragrant, and is very unique.

Creative fusion of tea restaurants

To add a new flavor, Hong Kong tea restaurant chefs add salted fish and chicken cubes to fried rice.

• Chicken cubes : tender and smooth texture, light taste, can neutralize the salty fragrance of salted fish.
• Salted fish : It has a strong salty flavor and a taste impact when you bite it.
  The combination of the two, paired with fragrant fried rice, is surprisingly harmonious, and over time it has become a must-have dish in tea restaurants.

🥢 Why do people love salted fish and chicken fried rice so much?

1. Savory and fragrant with a wok-fried aroma 🔥

When the salted fish is stir-fried, the aroma is so strong that it fills the entire restaurant.

• This salty fragrance whets your appetite as soon as you smell it.
• Combined with the wok aroma of fried rice, it is a double enjoyment for your taste buds.

2. Rich taste 😋

• Rice grains : fried until dry and distinct, with egg on each grain.
• Chicken cubes : tender and juicy, adding meaty flavor.
• Salted fish : The salty aroma is prominent, forming a strong contrast.
  You can enjoy multiple flavors in every bite, and it won’t be monotonous.

3. Delicious food at affordable prices 💰

Although salted fish has a strong flavor, it is actually a relatively affordable ingredient.
Chicken is more economical than beef and seafood, so it can be fried into a dish of rice at a popular price that everyone can afford.

4. One of the representative dishes of Hong Kong-style tea restaurants 🏙️

• Almost every tea restaurant has "Salted Fish and Chicken Fried Rice" on the menu.
• Whether you are a student, a worker, or having a family dinner, eating this dish of rice feels homely and substantial.

5. Fragrant but not greasy, you will never get tired of eating it 🤩

Although the salted fish has a strong flavor, the fried rice is not too salty or greasy because the chicken and egg flavors are balanced. Instead, the more you eat, the more you want to eat.

🍳 Cooking tips for salted fish and chicken fried rice

1. Stir-fry the salted fish : First, chop the salted fish into small pieces and stir-fry it with oil to give it a salty aroma.
2. Stir-fry diced chicken : marinate the chicken first and stir-fry until 70% cooked.
3. The rice grains are dry and crisp : Fried rice must be made with leftover rice or dry rice, so that each grain is distinct.
4. Stir-fry over high heat : Use high heat throughout the process to bring out the wok aroma, which is the true Hong Kong flavor.
5. Egg-flavor fusion : Scrambled eggs wrap the rice grains, making the fried rice more fragrant and smooth.

🌏 The cultural significance of salted fish and chicken fried rice

• A fusion of Guangdong tradition and Hong Kong creativity : using Guangdong salted fish and combining it with Hong Kong-style tea restaurant techniques to create a classic.
• The taste of the grassroots : not expensive, but rich in flavor, perfect for working people to quickly fill their stomachs.
• A Hong Kong culinary symbol : Like pineapple buns and milk tea, salted fish and chicken fried rice has long become a representative of the "Hong Kong flavor."

💡 Editor's Summary

I think the reason why Salted Fish and Chicken Fried Rice is so popular can be summed up in four words: salty, fragrant and delicious ! 💭

• The salted fish provides a strong aroma, the chicken pieces balance the taste, and the fried rice carries all the flavors.
• A plate of fried rice embodies both the traditional salted fish culture and the grassroots spirit of Hong Kong tea restaurants.
• No wonder people always order this dish whenever they go to a cha chaan teng (tea restaurant) because it’s truly a dish you never tire of! ✨

🎤 Let me tell you

👉 What's your favorite topping for salted fish and chicken fried rice? Some people add chopped green onions and chili oil to elevate the flavor! 🔥 What's your opinion? Let me know in the comments! 📩