What Is Xian Su Ji (鹹酥雞)? Taiwan's Iconic Salt-and-Pepper Fried Chicken

Xian su ji (鹹酥雞) is Taiwan's beloved night market fried chicken — bite-sized, shatteringly crisp, and seasoned with a bold blend of salt, white pepper, garlic, and chilli. The name says it all: 鹹 (xián) means salty, 酥 (sū) means crispy, 雞 (jī) means chicken. In Singapore, you can find this style at I Love Taimei — with a signature twist that sets it apart from the traditional version.

What Exactly Is Xian Su Ji?

Xian su ji (鹹酥雞) is a Taiwanese street food that originated in the night markets of Taipei and has since spread across the island and beyond. The name is straightforward Mandarin: salty crispy chicken. It describes the dish perfectly — pieces of chicken coated in a light cornstarch batter, fried until the exterior shatters, then seasoned with a dry spice blend of white pepper, salt, garlic, and chilli flakes.

The preparation is precise: chicken is marinated in garlic, ginger, and five-spice powder to build flavour from within, then coated in cornstarch for that characteristic thin, glass-like crunch. After frying, the pieces are tossed with fresh basil leaves (fried separately and added at the end) and a dry seasoning blend that coats every surface.

In Taiwan, xian su ji stalls are everywhere — near MRT stations, night markets, and university areas. It's casual food by design: no table service, no cutlery needed, just paper cones filled with hot fried chicken eaten standing up at a stall. The style has become so ingrained in Taiwanese street food culture that you'll find it at almost every market.

How Xian Su Ji Differs from Regular Fried Chicken or Popcorn Chicken

If you've had Western-style fried chicken — thick batter, heavy crust, buttermilk marinade — xian su ji is a different animal entirely. The key differences come down to three things: marinade, coating, and seasoning.

Western fried chicken relies on a thick batter or breadcrumb crust. Xian su ji uses a lighter cornstarch coating that creates an ultra-thin, glass-like crunch rather than a heavy crust. The marinade leans into aromatics — garlic, ginger, five-spice — which are distinctly Taiwanese flavours.

And then there's the seasoning toss. After frying, xian su ji pieces are tossed in a dry spice blend that coats every surface. This is what gives it its signature savoury-heat profile. Regular fried chicken usually comes plain or lightly salted; xian su ji is fully flavoured from the outside in.

The texture difference is also notable. That ultra-thin cornstarch crust shatters when you bite into it, revealing tender chicken underneath — not heavy or greasy like some deep-fried alternatives.

Read more about how Taiwanese popcorn chicken compares to other styles in our best Taiwanese popcorn chicken guide.

I Love Taimei's Take: Boneless Chicken Thigh

Traditional xian su ji in Taiwan typically uses a mix of bone-in cuts — wings, thigh pieces, cartilage — which you'd navigate around while eating. I Love Taimei takes a different approach: all chicken is boneless thigh meat.

This matters for a few reasons. Chicken thigh is naturally more flavourful and juicier than breast meat. Going boneless means every piece is easy to eat — no bones to work around, no wasted bites. And because ILTM fries fresh to order (single fry, not double-fried), the chicken stays moist on the inside while achieving that signature crispy exterior.

The result is a version of xian su ji that's more accessible than the traditional night market style — cleaner to eat, juicier in texture, and consistent across all 14 Singapore outlets.

Where to Get Xian Su Ji in Singapore

You don't need a flight to Taipei to try xian su ji. I Love Taimei — a women-owned Taiwanese eatery that has been serving night market favourites since 2009 — brings this style to 14 outlets across Singapore.

Their Taiwan Popcorn Chicken is the xian su ji expression on the menu: boneless chicken thigh pieces marinated in garlic and five-spice, fried fresh to order, then tossed in their signature salt-and-pepper seasoning with fresh basil added separately. Priced at $6.90.

A few convenient outlets:

All outlets serve the same menu and follow the brand's no pork, no lard standard.

Find your nearest outlet here: https://ilovetaimei.com/places/

Why Singaporeans Love Taiwanese Fried Chicken

Taiwanese fried chicken has carved out a permanent spot in Singapore's food scene for good reasons.

The flavour profile hits different from what you'd get at a typical Western fried chicken outlet. The garlic-ginger-five-spice marinade gives it aromatic depth that feels more like something you'd find in a Chinese kitchen. Singaporeans who grew up with garlic-heavy dishes — stir-fries, braised meat, salted egg — naturally gravitate towards this flavour direction.

The texture is also a draw. That ultra-thin cornstarch crust shatters when you bite into it. It's not heavy or greasy. You can eat a whole portion without feeling weighed down.

And xian su ji works as both snack and meal. Grab a portion on your way home from MRT — that's a snack. Order it with rice at I Love Taimei — that's dinner. The versatility fits Singapore's fast-paced food culture perfectly.

If you're curious about the broader Taiwanese night market context, check out our guide to taiwan night market food in singapore. For details on whether I Love Taimei works for Muslim diners, see our is i love taimei halal breakdown.

FAQ

What does "xian su ji" mean?

Xian su ji (鹹酥雞) literally means "salty crispy chicken" in Mandarin — 鹹 (xián) means salty, 酥 (sū) means crispy, and 雞 (jī) means chicken. The name describes exactly what you get: bite-sized pieces of chicken seasoned with salt, white pepper, garlic, and chilli, fried until shatteringly crisp. It's one of Taiwan's most iconic night market street foods.

Is xian su ji spicy?

Traditional xian su ji has a mild heat from chilli flakes mixed into the seasoning blend, but it's not aggressively spicy. Think more "warm savoury" than "hot." The primary flavour is garlic and white pepper, with heat as a supporting note. At I Love Taimei, the seasoning follows the same Taiwanese night market profile.

What's the difference between xian su ji and popcorn chicken?

In Taiwan, they're essentially the same thing — xian su ji (鹹酥雞) is the style (salty crispy chicken), and popcorn chicken describes the bite-sized format. At I Love Taimei in Singapore, the Popcorn Chicken and Taiwan Popcorn Chicken follow the xian su ji tradition — but with a key difference: ILTM uses boneless chicken thigh instead of the traditional mixed bone-in cuts, making every piece more tender and juicy.

Is Taiwanese fried chicken halal?

I Love Taimei is not halal-certified, but all their food — including their Popcorn Chicken — is prepared with no pork and no lard. This makes it suitable for Muslim customers who avoid pork but may still want to verify with individual outlets if cross-contamination is a concern.

Where can I order xian su ji in Singapore?

You can order xian su ji-style fried chicken at any I Love Taimei outlet islandwide, available for takeaway, delivery, and dine-in at selected locations. Order online here: https://go.momos.com/ilovetaimei or visit the full menu at https://ilovetaimei.com/menu/.