Ma You Ji (Taiwanese Sesame Oil Chicken Soup)
Local name: 麻油雞
In short: Ma you ji is Taiwan's warming sesame oil chicken soup: bone-in chicken simmered with plenty of ginger, toasted sesame oil, rice wine and dried mushrooms. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Sesame oil chicken soup is Taiwan's classic winter warmer, and traditionally a restorative dish for new mothers. Plenty of ginger is slowly fried in toasted sesame oil until fragrant, then chicken and rice wine are added and simmered into a deep, nutty, gently sweet broth. It is usually served with thin wheat vermicelli or rice. The recipe is short, but keep the heat low so the sesame oil never scorches.
Instructions
- Squeeze the soaked mushrooms dry, trim off the stems and halve the caps. Rinse the chicken pieces and pat them dry.
- Heat the sesame oil in a heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the ginger and cook slowly for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring, until the edges are lightly browned and the pot smells strongly of ginger. Keep the heat low so the oil does not scorch.
- Add the chicken, raise the heat to medium and sear for about 6 minutes, stirring now and then, until the surface turns golden.
- Add the mushrooms, rice wine and water. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then lower the heat. Partly cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, until the chicken is tender and reads at least 74°C (165°F) at the thickest part.
- Stir in the goji berries and salt and simmer for 5 minutes more. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- If using vermicelli, cook it in a separate pot of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and drain. Divide among deep bowls and ladle over the chicken, mushrooms and broth. Serve hot.
Tips
- Fry the ginger over low heat only. Toasted sesame oil turns bitter if it burns, and the soup will taste harsh.
- Long simmering reduces but does not remove the alcohol. Replace part or all of the wine with water for children or anyone avoiding alcohol.
Questions and answers
What is sesame oil chicken soup?
It is a warming Taiwanese soup of chicken, plenty of ginger, toasted sesame oil and rice wine. It is traditionally eaten in cold weather and by new mothers in the weeks after giving birth.
Can I use less rice wine?
Yes. Use half wine and half water for a gentler broth. The soup will taste a little less sweet and winey, but the sesame and ginger flavors remain.
What should I serve with it?
Thin wheat vermicelli called mee sua is the classic partner. Steamed rice or sticky rice also works, and a plate of blanched greens on the side makes it a full meal.
How long does it take to make Ma You Ji (Taiwanese Sesame Oil Chicken Soup)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ma You Ji (Taiwanese Sesame Oil Chicken Soup)?
About 400 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
