Quick Answer
Taiwanese popcorn chicken (yan su ji, also called salt and pepper chicken) is, according to Chinese Wikipedia, Taiwan’s most common fried chicken snack, distinctive for being fried together with Thai basil; its origin is often traced to Ximending in Taipei in the 1970s, though several vendors claim earlier dates. It is usually made in four steps: (1) marinate → (2) coat → (3) deep-fry (with basil) → (4) season with pepper salt. For overseas Taiwanese snack shops and bubble tea shops, ready-mixed marinade powder, coating (sweet potato starch) and pepper salt seasoning keep the flavor close to Taiwan’s and consistent batch to batch.
How Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Is Made
| Step | Powder used | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Marinate | Popcorn chicken marinade powder | Cut chicken into pieces and marinate |
| 2. Coat | Sweet potato starch, fried chicken powder | Forms the crispy crust |
| 3. Fry | — | Add Thai basil to the fryer just before removing |
| 4. Season | Pepper salt seasoning | Sprinkle on after frying |
Chinese Wikipedia notes that popcorn chicken is often sold at night markets and street stalls alongside other fried items such as vegetables and seafood products.
Choosing Powders
| Powder | Use |
|---|---|
| Marinade powder | Seasons the meat and sets the base flavor |
| Sweet potato starch (coating) | Crispy, slightly granular crust |
| Fried chicken powder | General fried chicken coating |
| Pepper salt seasonings | Post-fry seasoning, in flavors such as maqaw (mountain pepper) or cheese |
For the difference between sweet potato starch and other starches, see What Is Tapioca Starch?
How Overseas Taiwanese Snack Shops Use Them
- Drink plus snack combos: bubble tea with popcorn chicken is a signature pairing at many overseas Taiwanese snack shops.
- Consistent flavor: ready-mixed powders keep taste stable across branches.
- Importing ingredients: powders are food, so exports must meet the destination’s ingredient and labeling rules; see Taiwan Food Export Process.
Frying Oil and Hygiene
Check and change frying oil regularly, keep equipment clean and follow good hygiene practice; see Bubble Tea Shop Food Hygiene.
Tang Sugar’s Popcorn Chicken Range
Tang Sugar supplies popcorn chicken marinade powder, fried chicken powder, New Orleans chicken wing powder, popcorn chicken sweet potato starch, popcorn chicken pepper salt, maqaw pepper salt and cheese pepper salt. Contact us for details.
FAQ
What is Taiwanese popcorn chicken?
A common Taiwanese fried chicken snack: chicken pieces are marinated, coated and deep-fried, often with Thai basil, then sprinkled with pepper salt.
Where did Taiwanese popcorn chicken originate?
According to Chinese Wikipedia, its origin is often traced to Ximending in Taipei in the 1970s, though several vendors claim earlier dates.
What powder is used for Taiwanese popcorn chicken?
Typically a marinade powder, sweet potato starch or fried chicken powder for coating, and pepper salt seasoning after frying.
Can overseas shops make authentic Taiwanese popcorn chicken?
Yes. Using Taiwanese ready-mixed powders keeps the flavor close to Taiwan’s; exports must meet the destination’s food regulations.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia: Taiwanese popcorn chicken (in Chinese)
- Tang Sugar product list (March 2026 edition)
