I Ate Beggar’s Chicken, a Childhood Favorite, in New York 🐔

Tonight, I went to CheLi in the East Village, and to my surprise, I saw Beggar’s Chicken on the menu—a dish I loved as a child. I ordered it, and it truly brought back those nostalgic flavors.🥹 When the chicken arrived, it was wrapped in lotus leaf paper. The waiter lit the edges on fire 🔥 and then used a small hammer to crack open the clay that encased it. It was such a theatrical presentation! The chicken was roasted to perfection—tender and juicy. The meat practically fell off the bone and melted in my mouth. The sauce had a hint of lotus leaf’s fragrance, making it incredibly delicious. 😋 We also ordered their squirrel fish 🐟, which was equally amazing. The exterior was crispy, while the inside was tender and juicy. The fish’s freshness perfectly blended with the sweet and sour sauce. We cleaned our plates!👍🏻 🔥 Their chicken soup was also very flavorful, with various mushrooms 🍄‍🟫 that warmed the stomach. For dessert, their jasmine pudding 🍮 was heavenly—sweet but not cloying. I absolutely loved it! The decor of the restaurant is very traditional and cozy, perfect for a post-work dinner with friends to chat and catch up. 🔥 Address: 19 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003 #NewYork