07 Jul Explosive Crispy Chicken – A Sichuan Original by Z & Y
For most Americans, the term “crispy chicken” or “fried chicken” invokes visions of the traditional “Southern Fried Chicken.” Similarly, the thought of fried chicken is often associated with summertime barbecues and and side dishes like biscuits, mac & cheese, or potato salad.
However, an increasing number of western food critics and influencers are coming to appreciate the Sichuan variety of crispy fried chicken, known in to many in China as Chongqing Mala Chicken. At Z & Y Restaurant in San Francisco, we have become known for our famous “explosive” crispy chicken dish served with a healthy volume of Sichuan chili peppers.
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Local Press Love for Explosive Chicken
Many local food critics in San Francisco have come to recognize the quality of the ‘Chicken with Explosive Chili Pepper‘ dish on the Z & Y Menu. Michael Bauer, the City by the Bay’s best-known food critic during his 32 years of service with the S.F. Chronicle, wrote about this local favorite back in 2016:
“It was during that visit that I became acquainted with the chicken with explosive chili pepper, where nuggets of golden fried dark meat are buried like treasures in hundreds of dried red chiles. It was one of the best fried chicken dishes I’ve had, with the bonus of a bold buzz at the end.”
San Francisco Chronicle – April 1, 2016
I may just have to head to Z&Y for lunch for this explosive chicken. https://t.co/1PRicB5VyM pic.twitter.com/D1LEw894w7
— Michael Bauer (@michaelbauer1) April 4, 2016
Blogs and travel sites will now commonly include Z & Y’s explosive chicken on their lists of “must-try” dishes in the rich San Francisco culinary scene. A 2017 post on the “PureWow” blog titled, “35 Things Every San Franciscan Must Add to Their Foodie Bucket List” is one such example. Here’s what they had to say about this Sichuan standout:
“When the grandmother of classic Chinese food in California, Cecilia Chiang, calls the explosive chicken at Z & Y Restaurant her favorite dish, we listen.”
PureWow – June 5, 2017
The Action Bronson Seal of Approval
Ariyan Arslani is a multi-talented individual. As a successful rapper, writer, chef, and television presenter, he’s better known to his 1.6m followers on Instagram as “Action Bronson.” In 2016, he paid a visit to San Francisco’s Chinatown and Z & Y Restaurant. Evidently he was inspired by his first experience with the Sichuan variety of explosive crispy chicken.
In 2017, Matt Crawford of SF Weekly wrote about an Action Bronson trip to San Francisco when he paid visit to Z & Y and a number of other local establishments.
Bronson has some local favorites, as well. In a January episode of F*ck That’s Delicious, he sits down for a meal at State Bird Provisions and crushes a to-go order of Z & Y’s explosive chicken on a pier near the Bay Bridge. He calls the dish “the chicken of all fucking chickens” in the preface to a recipe in his cookbook that he also shared on The Rachael Ray Show.
“I love that fuckin’ chicken, man,” he says. “Once I discovered that chicken, it was like a marriage. I’ve actually searched for Szechuan peppered chicken throughout the entire world wherever I go.”
SF Weekly – October 25, 2017
In Bronson’s 2017 book (also titled, “F*ck That’s Delicious,” he writes about his explosive chicken experience and how it subsequently has inspired him to seek out fried chicken with Szechuan peppercorns during his travels around the world.
Mr. Arslani – If you ever reach this post, we promise we’ll let you film during your next visit to Z & Y Restaurant. In fact, cameras or not, we’d love to have you back to meet our Chef Han and discuss this wonderful dish.
Customer Reviews from Locals and Tourists Alike
Visitors to Z & Y Restaurant from near and far have come to appreciate the distinct taste and flavors of Z & Y’s explosive chicken. Check out the sampling of Yelp reviews below:
“Every time I come here, I get the chicken with explosive chili pepper which is one of my favorite dishes and is done particularly well here.” – Kimberly T., San Francisco, CA
“Ordered two plates of the explosive chicken and spicy garlic crab. Amazing and must visit when is SF.” – Jer E., Bountiful, UT
“This is by far my favorite Chinese food in San Francisco. I would consider myself an expert on how good the food is because I order delivery every Sunday night. I’m not very diverse in my order because I only order explosive chili chicken. That’s my bang or it would not be Sunday night.” – Bill K., Nashville, TN
“Amazing food and great customer service! Chicken with Explosive Chili Pepper is a must!!” – Joanna Serrano P., Dallas, TX
“I personally have to, order the Chicken with Explosive Chili Flavor. It’s quite delicious, it has just the perfect amount of Szechwan peppers. It’s spicy, but not it’s not too intense.” – Kristina C., San Francisco, CA
“If you like Szechuan food, I highly recommend getting the Chicken with Explosive Chili Peppers because it was my favorite spicy dish. It’s peppercorn spiced fried chicken topped with a mountain of Szechuan peppers. It’s not as spicy as it looks and sounds, and the flavor is really good.” – Shao-Lon Y., Lubbock, TX
“Food was on point. My favorite was probably the chicken with explosive chili peppers. Chicken was crispy and the peppers gave it a kick, but not too spicy at all” – Tony V., San Francisco, CA
