What Is Bobo Chicken? 钵钵鸡 Explained

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Sichuan · Street food

Bobo Chicken

钵钵鸡

bō bō jī

Skewers of chicken and vegetables steeped in a fragrant, chilli-red Sichuan sauce.

Chengdu bobo chicken skewers in seasoned chilli oil
Photo: Fumikas Sagisavas · CC0
FromSichuan
Eating occasionSnack
Dish typeStreet food
FlavorSpicy · Numbing · Savory

01

What is Bobo Chicken?

Skewers of chicken and vegetables steeped in a fragrant, chilli-red Sichuan sauce.

02

Flavor profile

Spicy · Numbing · Savory

Skewers of chicken and vegetables steeped in a fragrant, chilli-red Sichuan sauce.

03

Key ingredients

Chicken, vegetables, chilli oil, Sichuan pepper, sesame, stock and seasonings.

This is a food guide, not a recipe. Ingredients and preparation vary between cooks, shops and cities.

04

How it is usually made

Cooked ingredients are threaded onto skewers, chilled and soaked in a deeply seasoned red-oil broth before serving.

05

Origin and food culture

Bobo chicken is associated with Leshan in Sichuan. Bobo refers to the earthenware bowl traditionally used to hold the seasoned broth or chilli-oil dressing.

Although chicken gave the snack its name, contemporary shops commonly offer many cooked meat, offal, tofu and vegetable skewers served cool or at room temperature.