Việt Dũng

HCM CITY — Grilled chicken feet may sound unappetising, especially when compared to chicken wings, drumsticks or fillet steaks, but they are actually a delicacy in Việt Nam, often eaten by many locals with friends and beer.

The recipe is simple: raw chicken feet are marinated with salt, shallots, garlic, chili and other spices, and then grilled to a crisp on a charcoal grill, with oil brushed on them occasionally.

The feet are served with spicy dipping sauces and vegetables, a perfect dish to eat slowly while chatting with friends.

This dish is often categorised by many as “món nhậu” – a dish that is typically not filling and not meant to be eaten as part of a full meal, but is small and savoury for snacking.

Grilled chicken feet can be an acquired taste, especially for anyone who eats the meatier parts of the chicken. But nibbling on these crispy delights will quickly reveal why they are so beloved by many adults in Việt Nam.

When properly grilled, the skin can be very flavourful and crispy, with a hint of spiciness lingering on the tongue after every bite. The juicy and rich tendons are not too filling, and combined with the savoury skin, it's no surprise that many people find them irresistible.

Grilled chicken feet is beloved by many locals due to its crispy, spicy skin and juicy tendons. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng

Popular snack 

In the evening, many locals can be found gathering at outdoor vendors or restaurants, chatting with friends while eating grilled chicken feet, slowly nibbling the skin and taking apart all the joints to reach the juicy tendons.

Nguyễn Thanh Sang, who has been a grilled chicken vendor in Tân Bình District for 10 years, says that chicken feet are his most popular dish. Some customers are able to eat up to 20 pairs of feet in one sitting, and others even express disappointment after he runs out of the snack.

While the recipe seems simple, there are few factors that can make or break the dish.

“If the feet are too small, customers won't like them. But if they are too big and they find them too fatty and not crispy enough, we will have to select the right chicken feet size to buy,” Sang says.

Locals often enjoy grilled chicken feet as a snack while hanging out with friends. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng

Trương Nguyễn Thanh Hải, who is a chicken and octopus grill vendor in Bình Thạnh District, says that chicken feet are cheap and great to eat with beer. 

He started making grilled chicken feet after taking his wife to snack on the dish every day.  

“A lot of foreigners often enjoy the meatier parts and tend not to like to nibble, but they should try these. Eating chicken feet has this ‘bit by bit’ feeling, and you can really savour the seasoning.”

Nguyễn Minh Hiền, a frequent customer at Hải’s place, says that he typically eats chicken feet once a week, and that the feet are great for people who like to nibble on bones and do not like chicken parts that have too much meat.

While grilled chicken feet is not for everyone's taste, if you are looking for a light tasty snack to entertain a small gathering of friends, this dish may just hit the spot. — VNS