For English speakers the menu identifies this dish as "ginger chicken with sesame oil" ($9.95), but to customers who read Chinese, the characters that signify "three cup chicken" are more evocative. Equal parts sesame oil, rice wine, and soy sauce are cooked down, often in the presence of ginger, garlic, chili peppers, and sugar, until their flavors are absorbed by the chicken; basil is commonly added as a finishing touch.
Since the liquids are largely reduced, when served the dish often sizzles. At a minimum, it should glow; so will you.
For more dishes, see the slideshow.
Taiwanese Gourmet (also known as Taiwanese Specialties)
84-02 Broadway (at St. James Ave.), Elmhurst, Queens
718-429-4818
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