Roast chickens are certainly trending in the Shanghai food scene, be they homestyle, rotisseried or charred. Here are five savoury options for tonight's dinner table.
THE EXOTIC
If you've got a taste for Southeast Asian-style flavours, you’ll love this delicious crispy bird which is dressed under the skin with an aromatic golden paste of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, galangal, pandan leaves and turmeric before being roasted and grilled.
Price 198RMB for a half bird with papaya salad.
Ginger 91 Xingguo Lu, near Hunan Lu, Xuhui district (3406 0599).
GRANDMA'S RECIPE
Heat's French-style rotisserie chicken is a simple bird: moist and tender on the inside with lovely golden legs and wings. Pair the meat with homemade sauces like the bright, garlicky chimichurri or creamy honey mustard, and choose from nice sides like herby ragout, sautéed mushrooms with garlic, Brussels sprouts with strips of chorizo, pomme noisette fries (little puffs of fried mashed potato), roasted pumpkin and others.
Price 245RMB for a whole bird with four sauces and four sides; 125RMB for half of all that; 65RMB for a quarter.
Heat French Rotisserie and Bistro 199 Maoming Bei Lu, near Weihai Lu, Jingan district (3220 5689).
THE CHAR-ROASTED
Paul Pairet’s char-roasted chicken may be simple, but it's cooked and carved to absolute perfection. It’s a must-try from the carvery. Don’t go light on the savoury lemon-garlic jus that comes with – you’ll be licking up every last drop from your plate so that none goes wasted.
Price 180RMB per portion; 340RMB for whole bird.
Chop Chop Club Second Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu, Huangpu district (5308 5399).
THE SEASONED PRO
Soon to be available by delivery under the name Pop Chicken, this rotisserie chicken is tender, golden-skinned and seasoned to the nines with a pile of fresh herbs. Each half or whole bird comes with sides, too – try the ratatouille and the roasted potatoes.
Price 188RMB for whole bird with four sides.
Shanghai Republik 418 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu, Jingan district (6340 1889).
THE PLUMP FRENCHY
Need a sure pick for Sunday dinner? Grab one of these plump, beautifully roasted chickens from Dodu. This premium rotisserie has everything you need: tasty sauces, homestyle sides and all. Plus, Dodu’s premium French breed of free-range birds are raised all naturally.
Price 198RMB for whole bird and sauces; 268RMB with four sides and sauces.
Dodu 81 Changshu Lu, near Julu Lu, Jingan district (6431 5176).
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