你知道“客家”是什么意思吗？
江西省位于长江中下游，客家菜，是江西的主要菜系之一。
Situated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Jiangxi Province is known for its Kejia, or Hakka cuisine, which is a key part of its food culture.
Have you ever wondered what the "three cups" in the famous Kejia dish “three-cup chicken” mean? They refer to one cup of rice wine, one cup of soy sauce, and one cup of sesame oil. These ingredients are the essence of Kejia three-cup chicken!
The term “Kejia”, meaning “guest families”, comes from the household registration system in ancient China, which divided people into “native” and “guest” groups. Locals were classified as “native”, while newcomers were called “guest”.
Many people migrated south to Jiangxi from the Central Plains, and they became known as the Kejia people. These people kept moving south, reaching places like Guangdong, Fujian, and even Taiwan.
But no matter how far they traveled, they always held onto the traditional tastes of their hometown.
When making three-cup chicken, the “three cups” are crucial. One cup of rice wine gets rid of the bad smell and boosts the aroma; one cup of soy sauce gives it color and flavor, and one cup of sesame oil brings out the wonderful smell. Each bite is filled with a rich meaty taste blending sweetness with a hint of saltiness and freshness, reminding the Kejia people of their hometown.
三杯鸡不仅是一道美味佳肴，它还承载着皖赣文化的悠久与底蕴，见证了客家人的迁徙与传承，寄托着对故土的思念和对美好生活的向往。
Three-cup chicken is more than just a tasty dish. It also carries the rich history of Anhui and Jiangxi cultures. It mirrors the journey and traditions of the Kejia people, bearing their love for their hometown and hopes for a better life.
Over the years, the versions of three-cup chicken from Taiwan and the mainland, separated by a narrow strait, share stories of the deep connection between the homeland and those who have wandered afar.
Because of this, three-cup chicken has become a heartwarming dish for the reunion dinner during the Spring Festival.
In Chinese, the character for “chicken” sounds like the first character in “ji li”, which means “lucky”.
so, three-cup chicken is also viewed as a dish representing the wish for "da ji da li"，or good luck and success.
