Hotline: +84 243 869 1980

General news

Giant legs of Vietnam's "dragon chicken" a Lunar New Year delicacy

Update: Nov 02, 2024 - 15:28 (GMT+7)

Diem Uyen – HUPHAVETDiem Uyen – HUPHAVETDiem Uyen – HUPHAVET

Giant legs of Vietnam\'s "dragon chicken" a Lunar New Year delicacy
he lumpy legs of the Dong Tao chicken -- named after the commune where it is bred in northern Vietnam -- are considered a delicacy, and are particularly popular among the wealthy during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, known as Tet. Photo: AFP

On a farm close to Hanoi, Le Van Hien picks out the best bird among his flock of "dragon chickens" -- a breed with legs as thick as a brick that can fetch up to $2,000 a head.

The lumpy legs of the Dong Tao chicken -- named after the commune where it is bred in northern Vietnam -- are considered a delicacy, and are particularly popular among the wealthy during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, known as Tet.

Hien's prized four-kilogramme bird, whose enormous legs make up around a fifth of its body weight, was sold for about $150 -- but especially large pedigree chickens have been valued at more than 10 times that. Some are even entered into beauty contests.

The key to the bird's taste is its diet of corn and rice and the freedom it has to roam, Hien told AFP.

Although the laying hens are kept in battery cages, which have been banned in some countries across the world, the chickens bred for meat are let loose in a small garden.

"The more the chicken walks, the stronger and bigger their muscles are," said Hien, who has been breeding chickens for more than 15 years.

The meat of the Dong Tao chicken -- which can reach up to 10 kg -- is prized for its tough and chewy texture and is also low in fat.

It is sometimes served boiled, but also fried, stewed or served with lemongrass.

Le Van Luan, who picked Hien's chicken meat as a year-end gift for his business partners and elderly relatives, is a regular customer in Dong Tao.

"The best part of the Dong Tao chicken is the skin of their legs. The bigger the legs are, the tastier," he said.


Maybe you are interested

Bird flu: How US states are testing cattle and humans for the virus
Bird flu: How US states are testing cattle and humans for the virus
Bird flu: How US states are testing cattle and humans for the virus

States in the US are playing a key role in the nation's response to a growing outbreak of bird flu among dairy cattle that has also infected humans.

Trà Vinh Province expands effective farming models
Trà Vinh Province expands effective farming models
Trà Vinh Province expands effective farming models

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Trà Vinh has encouraged farmers to expand effective farming models that adapt to climate change and offer high incomes.

Price of poultry meat plummets
Price of poultry meat plummets
Price of poultry meat plummets

HÀ NỘI — Prices of chicken and duck meat have plummeted on the domestic market over the past two weeks due to epidemics of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and the A/H5N6 avian influenza, according to traders.