Gai yang

Gai Yang (Thai: ไก่ย่าง) or Ping Gai is a dish originating from the ethnic Lao people of Laos and Isan, but it is commonly eaten throughout Thailand as well, where it has become immensely popular. The dish is a common staple of street markets and readily available at all times. Being a typical Lao/Isan dish, it is often paired with tammakhoung (Lao: ??????????, Isan: ตำมักหุ่ง, IPA: ɗam mak huŋ, Thai: ส้มตำ, IPA: som ɗam) and sticky rice ((Lao: ເຂົ້າໜຽວ, Thai/Isan: ข้าวเหนียว, IPA: kʰaːw nio). It is also eaten with raw vegetables, and often dipped in spicy sauces such as jaew bong.

Names

The Lao name for the dish is ປິງໄກ່ (IPA: piŋ gɑj), and means 'roast chicken'. The Thai and Isan term is usually spelt ไก่ย่าง (Thai: gɑj jːaŋ, Isan: gɑj ɲːaŋ), although ปิงไก่, a Thai letter rendering of the Thai name, would be understood in Isan as well. In the West, where it is a common feature of menus on Thai restaurants, it is either known by its Thai name or as 'Thai barbecued chicken'.

Ingredients and Preparation

A whole chicken is often halved and pounded flat. It is marinated and then grilled over a low heat on a charcoal flame for a long time, but is not cooked to be burnt or dry. The marinade typically includes fish sauce, garlic, turmeric, coriander root (cilantro), and white pepper. Many variations exist, and it is also quite common to find black soy sauce, hoy sin, shallots, leaves and seeds of coriander, lemongrass, chiles, ginger, vinegar, palm sugar, and MSG. Compared to many Lao/Isan dishes, it is mild and somewhat sweet.

References

* Tan, Terry. (2007). "The Thai Table: A Celebration of Culinary Treasures." Marshall Cavendish. ISBN: 9812614427
* Thompson, David. (2002). "Thai Food: Arharn Thai." Ten Speed Press. ISBN: 1580084621
* Brissenden, Rosemary. (2007). Southeast Asian food: Classic and Modern Dishes from Indonesia, Malaysia, .. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN:0794604889
* McDermoot, Nancie. (1992). Real Thai: The Best of Thailand’s Regional Cooking. Chronicle Books. ISBN:0811800172ISBN:1580084621