Page 37 - Our Hawker Stories

The dish I picked for my hawker culture essay is chicken
karaage udon. It comes from Japan, and I chose it because
it is extraordinary and exciting to eat! Nobody knows
exactly where it first started, but the most interesting
story says it might have come from China more than
1,300 years ago! That is even older than my great-great-
great-grandparents!

I love this dish for two big reasons. First, it combines two
of my absolute favourite foods: crispy fried chicken and
soft, slippery udon noodles. When I am feeling sick, a
warm bowl of this makes me feel much better. The hot
broth is comforting, and the chicken stays crunchy even
in the soup!

Second, it is actually a pretty healthy meal. The chicken
gives me protein to grow strong, the noodles provide “The steam from the udon warms my face,
me with energy, and the broth is tasty without being too the chicken stays crispy — it’s my comfort
oily. When I want something delicious but still good for food and my happy place in a bowl.”
me, this is my go-to choice.

At my favourite hawker stall, the cook makes it extra Julian Amir Bautista Munoz
special. I love watching him fry the chicken pieces until P5.3
they turn golden brown, and I can hear the sizzling North Spring Primary School
sound every time. The udon noodles are always perfectly
chewy. The steam from the hot broth warms my face
when I lean in to take my first slurp!

Our Hawker Stories 33