Eat this Taiwanese popcorn chicken from Tai Ke

It would be a big mistake – huge – to overlook the yan su ji, or Taiwanese popcorn chicken, on Tai Ke’s sprawling menu of street food classics. Lightly battered dark meat nuggets are tossed in a gently spicy combination of white pepper and Chinese five spice. The generous plate of crunchy, tender chicken and fried basil will keep you reaching for your cold beer, like you’re sweating it out in a night market instead of a U City strip mall.

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Tai Ke, 8604 Olive Blvd., University City, 314.801.8894, taikestl.com