Zhejiang-style Beggar’s Chicken

Zhejiang-style Beggar’s Chicken is a traditional Chinese dish that originated in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. It is a whole chicken stuffed with mushrooms, dried scallops, ham, bamboo shoots, and seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, and other spices. The chicken is wrapped in lotus leaves and clay before being baked in a hot oven for several hours. This cooking method ensures the chicken remains moist and tender while allowing the aroma and flavors of the stuffing to infuse into the meat. The dish is named after the legend of a beggar who used to steal chickens and baked them in the ground to avoid being caught. Today, Beggar’s Chicken is a popular dish served on special occasions and important celebrations.