What Does Mar Far Chicken Taste Like? An In-Depth Exploration

Mar Far Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish with a crispy exterior, tender and juicy interior, and an unforgettable sweet, savory, and tangy flavor profile But for those unfamiliar with this regional specialty, the name itself provides little indication of what the dish actually tastes like

So what does Mar Far Chicken taste like? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the origins, ingredients, and culinary secrets behind Mar Far Chicken to understand the flavors that have made it a classic comfort food for generations.

A Brief History of Mar Far Chicken

While the origins of Mar Far Chicken have taken on an almost legendary status, most food historians agree the dish traces its roots to Kim’s Restaurant in Medford, Oregon in the 1950s The combination of simple ingredients like chicken, eggs, soy sauce, and flour transformed into an unforgettable taste through the restaurant’s innovative cooking techniques

The name “Mar Far” comes from the Chinese “ma la fang” meaning “various pieces,” referring to the assorted cuts of chicken used in the dish. As Mar Far Chicken grew popular at Kim’s Restaurant, its fame spread beyond southwest Oregon throughout the Pacific Northwest, and eventually across the country as a staple of Chinese-American cuisine.

The Key Ingredients That Create the Signature Taste

Mar Far Chicken has a deceptively simple list of ingredients that combine to create its signature flavor. Here are some of the key components:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces provide moist, tender meat.

• Flour: An egg and flour coating gives the chicken its ultra-crispy exterior.

• Eggs: Beaten eggs help the flour adhere evenly to the chicken.

• Soy sauce: The tangy saltiness of soy sauce adds deep savory umami flavor.

• Milk: Milk assists the flour in creating a thick, crunchy coating on the chicken.

• Garlic and onion powder: Aromatic spices infuse the chicken with a well-rounded flavor.

It’s the precise ratios and special mixing techniques that transform these simple ingredients into the Mar Far Chicken flavor fans crave.

The cooking process seals in the flavor

In addition to the ingredients, the cooking method is equally important in producing Mar Far Chicken’s signature taste. The chicken is first marinated in a milk and soy sauce mixture to allow the seasonings and brine to fully penetrate the meat. After marinating, the chicken pieces are dipped into a thick batter of flour, egg, and milk before frying to golden perfection.

Frying seals in the flavors from the marinade and batter while crisping the exterior. The high heat also caramelizes natural sugars in the chicken, promoting the development of a slightly sweet taste. This cooking method ensures a piece of chicken with a crunchy, flavorful exterior and a moist, seasoned interior in each bite.

The taste experience of Mar Far Chicken

When all of these elements come together after frying, Mar Far Chicken provides an irresistible symphony of flavors and textures:

• Crispy, crunchy coating – The battered exterior provides a satisfying crispness that crackles as you bite into it.

• Tender and juicy chicken – The chicken inside is perfectly cooked until moist and tender.

• Sweet notes – The milk and flour bring out subtle natural sweetness in the chicken.

• Savory depth – The soy sauce lends a savory, salty flavor that highlights the chicken’s richness.

• Aromatic spice – Garlic and onion powder provide a layer of aromatic flavor.

• Tangy undertones – The marinade gives the chicken a faint tangy quality.

Some diners also detect an almost addictive umami quality from the soy sauce and cooking process. The complexity of flavors and textures is what makes Mar Far Chicken a unique tasting experience unlike any other fried chicken.

Regional variations add diversity

One of the joys of Mar Far Chicken is discovering the regional and family variations that all provide their own spin on the classic recipe:

• Oregon style features heavier batter and focus on the sweet milk and tangy soy sauce flavor.

• California style utilizes a lighter, thinner batter to let the chicken flavor shine.

• Some family recipes add hot sauce or spices like cayenne to the marinade for a spicy kick.

• Other versions are sauced or glazed after frying for flavors like teriyaki, sesame, or sweet and sour.

So while the traditional recipe maintains the taste people crave, there’s plenty of room for customization in making Mar Far Chicken your own.

Healthier cooking methods provide similar flavor

The traditional Mar Far Chicken recipe deep-fries the chicken, which maximizes flavor but increases calories and fat. However, the dish can also be prepared in healthier ways:

• Baked: The chicken can be baked at 425°F after the marinade and batter to provide a crispy exterior and lock in moisture.

• Air fried: Modern air fryers are perfect for giving the chicken a crunchy crust without submerging it in oil.

• Grilled: Grilling imparts delicious charred notes, and the marinade keeps the chicken juicy.

While these cooking methods don’t yield quite as crispy a coating, they still infuse the chicken with most of the beloved Mar Far flavors.

Mar Far Chicken satisfies cravings

In the end, Mar Far Chicken has remained a staple in Chinese-American dining for over 70 years because of the incredible flavors and textures it delivers. The combination of sweet, salty, tangy, savory, spicy, and aromatic notes in each bite provides a taste experience unlike any other chicken dish.

When you get a craving for crispy fried chicken but want bolder, more complex flavors than typical American-style fried chicken, Mar Far Chicken always satisfies. This regional delight highlights how simple comfort food can be elevated into something truly memorable through culinary creativity and skill.

Mar Far Chicken is a crispy, deep-fried chicken dish, often found in Chinese-American restaurants, particularly in Southern Oregon. It typically consists of bite-sized chicken pieces that are marinated, coated in a seasoned batter (often containing flour, cornstarch, and spices), and then deep-fried to a golden crisp.