chicken - 3 pounds (chunks, pre-washed and drained)
ground pepper - to taste
kosher salt - 1 teaspoon (or any regular salt)
canola oil - 6 cups (or vegetable oil, for frying)
potato starch - 1/2 cup
plain flour - 1/4 cup
sweet rice flour - 1/4 cup
baking soda - 1 teaspoon
egg - 1
ketchup - 1/3 cup
hot pepper paste - 1/4 cup
rice syrup - 1/3 cup (or corn syrup)
apple vinegar - 1 tablespoon
garlic - 4 cloves (minced)
vegetable oil - 1 teaspoon (for sauce)
sesame seeds - to taste (roasted, for garnish)
celery sticks - as needed (for serving)
vegetables - as needed (for serving, optional)
Instructions
Prepare Chicken: Season chicken chunks with ground pepper and kosher salt. Let sit for 30 minutes or cook immediately if short on time.
Heat Oil: Heat 6 cups of canola or vegetable oil in a large skillet.
Prepare Batter: Combine potato starch, plain flour, sweet rice flour, baking soda, and one egg. Mix well.
Fry Chicken: Dip chicken chunks into the batter and fry in two batches for 10 minutes each over high heat. Remove and set aside.
Make Sauce: In a pan, sauté minced garlic in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. Add ketchup, hot pepper paste, rice syrup, and mix well. Finish with apple vinegar.
Second Fry: Re-fry the chicken chunks for extra crispiness. Then coat them in the sauce.
Serve: Garnish with roasted sesame seeds and serve with celery sticks and optional vegetables.