‘Shaojigong’ signature dish of Chenzhou
2022-05-06
In the ancient times, the local people of Chenzhou often sang a ballad, saying “ships stop, horses die and travelers shiver when getting to Chenzhou”, because the Nanling Mountains in Chenzhou City, the watershed between the Xiang River and the Pearl River, impeded the shipping and all the goods had to be transported only by horses and mules.
Besides, as the miasmas diffused in mountains, the outsiders were often infected with malaria, a disease that will bring periodic chills, fever and shiver. It is said that Xu Xiake, a great traveler of the Ming Dynasty, cured the disease with “Shaojigong” or roast chicken, a signature dish of Chenzhou City.
In April 1637, Xu Xiake, who had travelled for many years, crossed the Dongjiang River by boat after days of inspection, and marveled at the beautiful scenery of Danxia landform when passing by Feitian Mountain. In Yongxing County, Xu Xiake was infected with malaria because he inhaled too much miasmas on the way. He had to moor off Xiangyindu, the south of Yongxing County, to see a doctor but he was by no means better.
At that time, a villager surnamed Li from Xiangyindu, killed a big rooster that had been raised for more than two years after knowing the situation. He prepared a large pot of roast chicken with ginger slices, dried pepper and local tea oil, and invited Xu Xiake to have a taste in the boat. Xu Xiake, feeling extremely hot and sweating profusely, kept paying compliments on the dish after meal. The next day, he recovered from the disease and set out towards Leiyang City and Hengyang City along the Leishui River.
Since then, the reputation of Shaojigong has spread all over Chenzhou City from Yongxing County and become a representative dish of Chenzhou City.
The spicy chicken, crispy skin, delicious soup and its effect of dispelling cold and nourishing blood makes it a favourite dish of Chenzhou people and it has strengthened their body for hundreds of years.
In recent years, Shaojigong tops the lists of local special dishes. With the growing reputation, even some of my out-of-town friends have heard of it and fell in love with it.
