Fried chicken: Fast food champion
The power of battered poultry and how it has come to achieve global domination
Fried chicken is loved the world over - it’s the most popular dish in global fast food, according to industry analysts, eclipsing even the burger. From Senegal to Singapore many countries have their own native twist on it, whether it’s covered in sesame seeds, battered in tempura or finished with a dunk in aioli. But what is it that makes fried chicken so appealing to so many different cultures?
Graihagh Jackson speaks to three fried chicken shop owners from South Korea, the UK and South Africa to find out how battered poultry has come to achieve such global dominance. They explain how different cultures like their birds fried, how competitive the industry can be, and go deep into the science behind the perfect bite.
We also learn how hard it can be to convince customers that fried chicken should be viewed as a gourmet meal, and priced accordingly, rather than a cheap, unhealthy snack. And how important is it to source the best possible meat, without going bust?
Plus, is the smell of a deep fat fryer any good for your love life?
(Picture: A hand holding a piece of fried chicken. Credit: Getty Images/Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ)
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No-one wanted my fried chicken, so I doubled the price
Duration: 02:06
Broadcasts
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 02:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service West and Central Africa
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 03:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Europe and the Middle East
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 04:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 05:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Australasia, Americas and the Caribbean, South Asia & East Asia only
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 11:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except West and Central Africa
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 18:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Australasia
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 21:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 5 Mar 2020 23:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 8 Mar 2020 08:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
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