We Don’t Go On Dates
Howard China aka “HoChi” is this hole-in-the-wall, small establishment that serves the unique combination of Chinese food and fried chicken. HoChi, during my time at Howard University, was often frequented by the youngest and oldest of students. Its food was able to give the energy needed for a student to go to class, a pregame, a party, a movie date or even back to their dorm to indulge in a few other vices. And, although I didn’t try HoChi until my last semester at Howard, I do appreciate the mythos it has. Famous alumni like Taraji P. Henson or the late Chadwick Boseman both indulged in the delicacy of such food. A 3-piece chicken, fries with salt & pepper and mumbo sauce all over along with a half & half (sweet Arnold Palmer) could save your life. It fueled generations of Howard students, and I thought it was only right to recreate this legendary recipe.
I had never heard of mumbo sauce or frankly a Chinese spot serving chicken until I had moved to Washington, DC. Why in the hell is a Chinese spot making some of the best chicken in a Black neighborhood? It didn’t make any sense at all and that may be why I waited so long to patron the establishment. Mumbo sauce is this almost sweet & sour sauce with a bit more tanginess added; it’s like a very refined sweet & sour, so I get the logic of so many establishments offering it. Mumbo sauce is DC is mumbo sauce. The thickness, the red hue and sticky texture is a perfect complement to a fried dish. I’m never opposed to it. I’m grateful for it.
I often reminisce about early-autumn at Howard. Early-autumn makes me think of a particular semester where hedonism was at an all-time high and that’s Fall ‘15. One glaring memory is walking around with a peer and her insisting that a "“chicken wings and fries” date (discussed in Drake & Future’s “Jumpman”) isn’t a bad thing. A cheap date is feasible for a college student. Why? For a college student, the personal budget is already tight primarily because of their parent’s limited allowance; or the small refund; or their small time job they hate. Money is always tight especially for Black People. I’m not sure I ever agreed with my peer, but I understood her point-of-view. Why spend all your parent’s money to impress a lady when a quick visit to HoChi might be just enough? And this notion of financial-dietary consciousness is the very essence of HoChi. HoChi was never meant to be this top-rated, quick food spot. It was meant to be something accessible to everyone. A place many pilgrimed to get a break, take a date or even get food.
HoChi Full Meal
ingredients:
fried chicken:
3lb. chicken wingettes
1/2c fish sauce
6-8 cloves of garlic, minced
4T super fine/cane sugar
salt & pepper to taste
2 bunches of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1 bunch of fresh mint, chopped
2c green bell peppers, deseeded and diced
8 serrano peppers, diced
4-6 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
1-2c corn starch
5-6c canola oil
fried chicken rub:
4T kosher salt
4T black pepper
1/2c super fine/cane sugar
3-4t chili powder
fries:
8-10 russet potatoes
salt & pepper to taste
seasonings of choice (I used paprika)
olive oil
mumbo sauce:
6oz. tomato paste
1/2c ketchup
1/4c pineapple juice
2T Hot Honey OR honey
1T lemon juice
1T white vinegar
1t cayenne pepper
2t chili powder
1T hoison sauce
1-2t soy sauce
half & half:
12 lemons
4 1/2L water
5 cold brew tea bags
3c sugar
Helpful items:
dutch oven
garlic mincer
wok pan
recipe (fried chicken):
Mix fish sauce (sorry in advance for the smell but the flavor added is amazing), minced garlic, chicken, sugar and salt & pepper in bowl. Cover and fridge for at least 6 hours OR overnight.
Once chicken has marinated, remove from bowl and reserve marinade for later. Coat chicken with a generous amount of corn starch. Heat canola oil in dutch oven OR pot to 375F. Lightly fry. After all chicken has been fried, add chicken back to dutch oven OR pot and fry again until internal temperature is 160-175F OR fully cooked. Lightly cook double-fried chicken with chicken rub (shown above).
In a large pan or wok, heat to medium-high and add marinade, green peppers, serrano peppers, and thinly sliced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes. In bunches, add chicken without over-filling pot. Cook lightly for 1-2 minutes.
After all chicken has been cooked in pan or wok, pour into large bowl and garnish with more chicken rub along with mint, cilantro and vegetables from the wok or pan. Enjoy!
recipe (fries):
Thinly slice potatoes into quarter-inch thick fry shapes (video below to help). Drop sliced potatoes into bowl filled with ice water. Allow potatoes to sit in bowl for 10-15 minutes in order to remove starches. Remove potatoes and set on paper towel. Allow fries to fully dry.
Set oven to 375F. Set fries in parchment paper covered baking sheet, drizzle with oil, season with salt & pepper, seasonings of choice and bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn oven to 425F and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Closely monitor fries cause they can burn easily! Enjoy!
recipe (mumbo sauce):
In a medium saucepan set to medium-high, pour tomato paste and ketchup. Allow sauce to simmer. Pour in lemon juice, hoison sauce, soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey and white vinegar. Allow sauce to reach another simmer. Add chili powder and cayenne pepper. Allow sauce to reach a thicker consistency and immediately take off heat. Sauce should be served after cooling for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!
recipe (half & half):
Slice lemons in half and squeeze juice into bowl. Set lemon-halves aside and place lemon juice in fridge. Take lemon-halves set aside and cover with sugar. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and fridge for 3 hours.
In a large jug or bowl, pour 4L of water and drop in tea bags. Set in fridge and allow for tea to cold brew for 3-6 hours.
Pour lemon-halves, lemon juice into cold brew mixture and stir. Add sugar to taste. Enjoy!
THE HELP!