In the past few days, the weather has been gloomy and drizzly every time I go out for dinner, and it makes me feel down as well. Although I’m well and haven’t caught a flu yet, I still went for something really healthy, my go-to food whenever I’m sick, the Chinese-style Herbal Chicken!
This dish comes in many forms of presentation. Some serve it in a nice ceramic clay pot, while others use a bowl. However, the version from Da Xi Ji Fan comes in a bowl, with the chicken herbal soup first wrapped in plastic and then wrapped again in aluminum foil. Some may find this odd, but if you think about it, it’s actually a very practical way of sealing in the flavors and moisture. I would say it’s somewhat similar to the cooking method called sous vide, I guess that is the fancier version of this style.
But before I dig into the flavors of the dish, let me share a glimpse of what I experienced as I walked towards the Geylang Bahru Food Centre. It was only around 6:30 PM, yet the surroundings already looked dark because of the gloomy weather. It was drizzling as I walked along the road, and as I was thinking about what to eat that night, herbal chicken soup popped into my mind, and that convinced me to check out Da Xi Ji Fan’s version of this dish.
Arriving at the Geylang Bahru Food Centre feels like finally reaching an oasis, LOL. The warm lights and amazing smell of food awakened my senses, and it made me crave dishes that are always satisfying to munch on. However, I was focused and determined to have the herbal chicken soup, so I went straight to the stall and queued for it.
Thankfully, the queue wasn’t too long, I was around 7th or 8th, and it usually moves quickly because most of the dishes they sell are already steaming and ready to be served. It’s fresh but it’s fast, which is an amazing way to do business. My order cost SGD 7.00 plus SGD 0.50 for white rice. It’s a bit pricier than their other chicken dishes, but I had a feeling it was going to be worth it, so I didn’t mind paying extra.
Opening the wrapping felt a bit weird since I’m not used to this kind of presentation. But as soon as I unwrapped everything, I could already smell the aroma of the medicinal herbs that were added to it.
Some of you might think it tastes like medicine, but I’m already used to it, so I didn’t mind the slight bitterness and herbal fragrance. Actually, I felt better as I sipped the soup, because it seemed to have a therapeutic effect, or maybe a psychological one, that made me feel good about what I was eating. I like it regardless of the taste.
Although all the herbs are edible or safe to eat, I only took a bite of some of them. The goji berries are one of my favorites because I was told they’re good for eye health. I also like their sweetness, it’s a good balance to the bitterness of the other herbs.
As expected, the chicken was very tender even though it looked firmly attached to the bone. In fact, I was peeling off the meat with chopsticks without any struggle. It’s that tenderness that made the dish really satisfying to eat. That is the effect of the sous vide-like technique, and because of the long period of steaming used to cook the dish.
This experience reminded me why I love exploring local food spots. Even on a dark, drizzly night, a good dish can completely change the mood. The herbal chicken from Da Xi Ji Fan delivered both comfort and flavor in every sip and bite. It’s the kind of dish that stays memorable long after the meal is over. I hope this inspires you to try it yourself and discover your own rainy-day comfort food.
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