Coca-Cola Chicken a.k.a. ho lok kai

coke chicken

I remember Coke Chicken from the early 90’s when my sister watched her TVB drama series. The characters would go to a tai pai tong (an informal hawker stall, totally different from a cha chang teng) and ask for it. It was the first time I’ve heard of chicken being cooked with Coca-Cola and wondered if it actually *tastes like Coke*.

I have not been to Hong Kong at that point so I was intrigued by the sudden explosion in the popularity of Coke Chicken since then. It’s not so popular now (can’t find it in HK) but it’s a very fast and delicious way to make chicken.

ho lok kai

This is my better half’s recipe, it’s what we cooked for dinner last night:

  • 1 can Coca-Cola
  • 2 tablespoons cooking caramel (dark soy sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 300 grams chicken wings and drumsticks

coke chicken recipe

I wanted the drumsticks but Coke Chicken usually refers to wings, or so the TVB series would lead me to believe.

cooking with coke

There have been claims that this does not work with Diet Coke due to the (loads) of sugar required to *caramelize* the chicken. I’ve also heard that the addition of Coca-Cola is for the bicarbonate of soda, which is an *alkaline solution* that can actually change the fibers in chicken meat. The other camp says that Coke is acidic so it’s ideal as a *marinating agent* to tenderize protein.

coke chicken reduction

I don’t know which of the above it true, or none at all. I have found no research to quantify it, just the same words passed on without references. However, this dish is a quick and delicious meal. You just heat up the Coke while the marinated chicken is fried till golden brown. The chicken is then put into the Coca-Cola until it reduces to a thick sauce.

coca cola chicken

I like the idea of it though and I’ll try it with other beverages (Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Fanta Grape, different lagers and ales etc) and see how it goes! πŸ™‚

Contest: Coca-Cola limited edition Heritage bottle set giveaway

Psst…wanna score some coke?

sell coke

Not that kind, my friends…this ain’t 1903.

I know people who collect Coke cans from all over the world.

Thus, I lug a can from wherever I’m going – London, Georgia, China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Australia etc back for my friend.

Well, if you’re into collecting vintage Coke bottles, I’ve got something for you. Coca-Cola is running a video on the world’s largest full color LED screen – which is right here in Malaysia at PWTC.

I’ve got two very limited edition Coke Heritage bottle sets to give away. All you have to do is to comment on your fondest Coke memories and the two most creative ones win.

coke heritage

These Coke limited edition Heritage bottle set looks really good. I’m half tempted to filch one but no worries, I won’t. Heh. Just comment and I’ll give out two of them. πŸ™‚

Coke C2 (Coca-Cola C2)

coke c2

This is Coca-Cola’s low carbohydrate alternative to the ubiquitous
line of Coke drinks. Coke C2 claims to have low sodium and half the
carbs and calories of a normal (classic) Coke. Cola claims the name C2
stands for 1/2 the carbs, 1/2 the cals and all the taste of regular
Coke. It sure looks better, I like Coke C2’s colors and design.

cokec2

The medium carbohydrate Coke C2 seems to be following the trend of
low carb products to target people on the Atkins diet. It retails for
RM 2.19 each here and Cold Storage has a promotion where you get three
for the price of two. It’s the outlet in Suria KLCC, I haven’t seen
Coke C2 elsewhere. It seems to be available in the US only and the ones
we get here are imported from the US.

coke c2 drink

Well, I got it just coz I haven’t tried it before and this is my
verdict – it tastes just like Diet Coke (Coke Light). That’s not a bad
decree, coming from me, since I like the taste of Coke Light. I find
regular classic Coke to be too sweet and unpleasantly fizzy. Coke C2 is
great. I liked it.

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