How Pecking House's Chili Fried Chicken Became a Smash Hit in NYC - The Experts

Chef Eric Huang’s Pecking House went from a pandemic pop-up to one of New York’s premiere destinations for fried chicken. By blending flavors from his Taiwanese upbringing with traditional fried chicken, he and his team serve some of the city’s most sought after fried chicken and fried chicken sandwiches.
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Credits:
Producer: Connor Reid
Directors: Connor Reid, Murilo Ferreira
Camera: Murilo Ferreira, Michael Latchman
Editor: Howie Burbidge
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Development Producer: Ian Stroud
Supervising Producer: Stefania Orrù
Associate Producer: Julia Hess
Audience Development: Terri Ciccone, Frances Dumlao, Avery Dalal
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[@dosepipesutututu]

He needs his own cooking show, such an articulate and well spoken chef!

[@NYCharlie718]

I grew up about 10 blocks away from this place. Legit never ate there before and then all of a sudden I see this news pop up a few months ago and am shocked. Pretty cool to see something like this pop up in my neighborhood.

[@leroyjenkins6247]

​@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ Fçk off m8. go repent with your ped0 priests

[@pink1536]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ actual schizo

[@burksregime315]

In essence, he does.

[@gregsage8886]

USA ain ready for a Asian dude to have a TV show to prejudice

[@shreddersaurusrex323]

He really gave a lot of pointers for overall cooling chicken at home. Some ppl are tight lipped with their seasonings/process.

[@gregoryhouser3950]

Yes because you can give everyone a recipes and they will all have different outcomes, they perfected the process that’s why no one else can recreate it

[@cali4806]

Confidence right there

[@muhammadizzat6218]

@@gregoryhouser3950 to be honest asian just put everything based on feeling, pretty sure he already knew how much he need and don't need a ratio

[@riottonitedragon8344]

Tight lip 🥵

[@cmm3338]

@@muhammadizzat6218 That's not just Asians lol, that's called being a chef..

[@BOBMAN1980]

THIS is what it is all about. I've cooked in fine dining for over 15-years. I really dig on the chefs who are careful in their sourcing out, their preparation of ingredients, the presentation, the ambiance. . .creating an experience that one can only get under such situations. But this guy--Chef Eric Huang--taking his culinary knowledge, the comforts of what he's grown up with (i.e. his heritage), and a skillset that can likely rival anyone who's worked in 'haute'. . .and tossing it all up and keeping only what he wants, adding what he likes, and pulling it all off in a borrowed kitchen. . .to make food that is both adventurous, novel, AND accessible. Bro. . . SO MANY PROPS TO YOU!

[@Cordial_Lump]

why am i getting emotional over this fried chicken... just the way he interacts with his staff and explains things with such confidence and zen... what a great guy ;_;

[@likeasambud9817]

Because youre a typical gen z

[@Cordial_Lump]

@@likeasambud9817 *millennial but fun guess

[@badnoodlez]

@@Cordial_Lump I feel the same way. I'm about to hit 31 and I decided to become a teacher bc I met enough people like this chef.

[@Cordial_Lump]

@@badnoodlez more power to you. we need more good teachers. I wish america valued them more like other countries :/

[@vidhanp482]

Good on you lmao

[@defjam1310]

What’s really impressive is that he started this during the beginning of COVID. It has to be very good for a startup to have survived

[@NicholasLYang]

The chicken is incredible but oh man I wish they had talked about the sides. So freaking good. The bean salad has to be one of the best salads I've ever had. Perfectly cooked beans, little bits of mushroom and celery, and this fantastic black vinegar dressing.

[@danielmizrahi9629]

how is the price?

[@LottoLogista]

@@danielmizrahi9629 they are NOT cheap but the food is delicious

[@AerysBat]

The inventive, masterfully executed sides are where the Eleven Madison Park heritage really shines through. The mashed potatoes are straight up manna

[@doc-vg9lq]

@@LottoLogista how much?

[@zankaa8031]

Okay I like that he distinguished between crispy and crunchy because I've never thought of them as two different things but they definitely are.

[@YourXLNC]

There's actually a quote that he said in another video: "Crispy is the front of your teeth, crunchy is the back of your teeth."

[@phongle1772]

Captain crunch is NOT crispy.

[@dangerousfelon]

No you halfwit. They aren't. They're literally synonyms. The guy is making crap up and you people just buy it for some reason. It's actually kind of incredible how easily stupid people like you can be misled 😂 apparently people can just change the meaning of words on the fly now and everyone else will agree if they're a chef

[@dangerousfelon]

​@Your XLNC and thats made up nonsense. Use a dictionary sometime kid. They're synonyms.

[@leonardilifter]

@@dangerousfelonwow you seem like such a pleasant person god bless you

[@BebehCookieIcecream]

Eric is a gem of a chef and holds a lot of integrity. Love this.

[@anthonyanonymous234]

That shot with the chili dripping off the chicken 🍗 Has me convinced this is the best fried chicken I’ve never tried 😂😂🥲

[@skoomskaa]

6:30 - the irony is that this is actually the correct way to caramelize sugar. "Just heat up sugar until it turns the color I want it to turn". Nailed it!

[@daimaoza832]

Well … tbh you not supposed to move the sugar 🫣

[@schyracollbrande1900]

@@daimaoza832 i once did that and it turns so bad. The sugar burns then blackened 🤣. It smells sweet but the taste is bitter. First time doing that. I now succeed in creating it by lowering the heat.

[@femmeofsubstance]

He is so articulate ! It is very nice to listen to him and to his information !

[@SlapMyGorillaGorilla]

Awhhh yes, another well put together episode I can eat on my lunch break and daydream about. Thank you Eater for cranking these videos out!

[@mattbuzzno7402]

Same

[@Dimaz42]

glad to see other men of culture that like to eat while watching foodie video 🤣

[@Stoic_Cat_]

@@Dimaz42 watching good food makes your own food taste better LOL

[@hannahlee152]

i watched him on another program. we need more of chef eric huang! seems like such a genuine, down to earth guy with much to offer to the world!

[@02honeydew]

I was thinking to myself that he looked and sounded familiar, I finally remembered it was that episode on Munchies

[@Lost_Hwasal]

I love that he is trying to elevate chinese cooking to a fine level of dining. We need more east-asian cusine that is highly regarded.

[@AlphaJuliett]

Humble and no nonsence. Wish you all the success in the world my dude!

[@richrcwx1685]

The only thing that would make me happier than watching his dedication would be to eat some of that chicken

[@thedeeprot]

that looks insanely good

[@OhDeeDoubleU]

WUB WUB WUB

[@elith6930]

He showed the recipe on munchies too!

[@ABigFatGuy]

It is! I wish they did some more features on the sides which were also phenomenal.

[@MyKeeP81]

It is insanely good

[@Highland_Moo]

What an awesome guy. If I had the money, I’d fly from here in Scotland to NY to eat that gorgeous looking chicken! Total respect for the guy sharing his method etc - so many people wouldn’t do that and the fact he does proves to me he’s a genuinely decent guy. I hope he has a long happy life of making others happy with his creations 👍🏻

[@FffffffffffffffffffffffffffffL]

Same lol, there;s few times when I'd actually want to get on a plane to travel just to eat at a specific restaurant. This is one of those times

[@amerikanbear757]

Hes the first unpretentious chef I've seen in ages. The future is looking bright in gastronomy

[@fillbill2454]

idk man have you seen any of eaters other videos? all the head chefs seem like cool and pretty unpretentious people

[@kndkos9435]

Genuinely curious. What do you mean by pretentious chefs?

[@fillbill2454]

@@kndkos9435 someone who is full of themselves

[@amerikanbear757]

@@kndkos9435 well, I never said pretentious did I?

[@kndkos9435]

@@amerikanbear757 Well you did say unpretentious which is just the opposite. Tryin to sound smart or smth LOL

[@GKP999]

Food brings people together. Through food I learn that regardless of races and ethnicities, we have more in common than differences!

[@ssuwandi3240]

Nope. Only Simpleton will think that way. Just suss it. Grow up first.

[@capstar633]

I want to go have him teach me some cooking skills. Love his ways!

[@GKP999]

@@ssuwandi3240 You are such a breath of fresh air!

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

Sure looked good to me. Way to get it done in and making the most of what you got. Was fun to watch. Great video

[@stormengine3261]

Dang that chili sauce fried chicken sandwich looks awesome!! I need to find this place

[@cookiekirkland8689]

Chef Eric you can tell u really enjoy making this food. The look and the details that go into this food allows us to see u in action. Your excitement is obvious and ur big smile says it all. Thank u for sharing, Warmly Cookie 🎹

[@burhansharif900]

Superb documentary and first person film! Loved every bit of this video ..bravo!

[@bobbykeene12]

I've watched this episode three times now- a lot to unpack. Riffing on this tomorrow. Thanks Chef!

[@shreykatiyar936]

My mind blocked every noise, even his voice, soon as they started serving. It looked that good.

[@shortstuff611]

I had the Peking House fried chicken dinner back in 2021 after a long wait and totally loved it! I also recently tried the recipe shared by chef Huang through Eater and it came out very close to the original. One item that doesn’t get enough credit is the dirty fried rice. I just think that the chicken liver fried rice was one of the best things I tried and I’m still trying to make it close to Chef’s version. I hope to see more videos on Chef Huang and wish him the best!

[@protopigeon]

chicken liver fried rice sounds amazing

[@alexvids9232]

link to recipe?

[@shortstuff611]

@@alexvids9232 kzbin.info/www/bejne/maWlf2Brf9tjqLc

[@toniprice6110]

I really enjoy watching cooking people real passion

[@elonhawkstein8156]

This made my mouth water it looks and sounds so good. I swear I can almost smell the fired chicken and chili seasoning

[@DJJAE]

What a great video. Congrats to Chef Eric. Truly inspiring.

[@Willpiggy]

This guy is so articulate. Such great use of vocabulary

[@CrunchyButtBurger]

Super legit guy. Looks delicious!

[@thedeepdaerk]

He looks so happy in a room full of fried chicken; this was brilliant btw.

[@vin7281]

Thank you Eater for this, it’s great to hear it from the restaurant owner/chef themselves than a host. You guys rock!

[@mikeross6501]

I can taste that charred cabbage with the chicken. Excellent idea.

[@WoodlandThrash]

Great chef. Love when they don’t knock how it’s originally done but build on it. 👌🏻

[@bigfriz1229]

That chicken and that chicken burger looks AMAZING.

[@roderickbranch759]

Truly enjoyed this video. Thank you

[@mrj6]

Great chef, wished they showed more of the end products and people eating them and their feedback tho… that’s the best part!

[@marca4443]

This was really beautiful & meaningful

[@mirnesvelic8196]

i would absolutely devour one of those..maybe two. well done chef!

[@WAB2138]

He is a very nice guy! A good human which is rare today. Very humble.

[@kiensane2670]

It cracks me up how he says staranise. lmao Love his energy

[@vt-yp7yq]

I may have to take a small road trip to NYC for this. 🤔 The amount of care and creativity looks amazing.

[@ebagthegr8]

Looks so good!

[@jbogz1236]

Salute chef! We need more chef like you!

[@awchatdhruvasubhash1888]

I really like the way your recipe for the chili sauce goes been trying to perfect mine for years

[@kenftan]

mouth watering fry chicken 🥰 love it 👍

[@Chibodian]

His fish tattoo at the end was pretty sick too. I love it all the care and taste and quality of fine dining with the casual chill laid back quality of the Everyman.

[@benjaminjackson1667]

This guy is super real. Refreshing!

[@NormanFreeman94]

Been here for a couple of times. Loved every single one of my vist

[@unruly_ronin]

Good man, solid character, great chef.

[@arshbehal6312]

What an incredibly humble chef. Amazon food. Great approach. GOD bless him!

[@Vablonsky]

This is a great example of cross-pollination. Combining the flavors and techniques from multiple culinary traditions to create something delicious and new. I haven't had the opportunity yet to try this fried chicken yet. But, oh man...it is on my list. Chef Eric Huang has put in the hard work and effort. And, now, this chicken is deservedly well known and acclaimed.

[@markogaudiosi5243]

when a botanist talks about cooking...cross- pollination, right.

[@thehealthinsight4587]

Glad to have come across this video! Will need to try this place. I think this chef and his approach is so elevated because he was also the sous chef at Eleven Madison Park?

[@bencera6067]

Seems like a real genuine dude, and that chicken looks amazing

[@Bammer2001]

You're the boss, Eric Huang! I would love to try your food one day!! 😋😋😋

[@Freeflow32]

My mouth was almost dripping watching this... jesus christ I need to go to NYC right now....

[@imnotmark3053]

its always a vibe to eat korean fried chicken with beer in the weekend honestly.

[@us7876]

I'd kill for one of those sandwiches🤤

[@sprig6043]

Whenever I get to NYC I'm going here for sure

[@GK-oj8oh]

I'm literally salivating. My god sir. full salute to you and your chicken masterpiece

[@NathanHarrison7]

Forget about a “Flavor Bomb”. That’s more of a “Flavor Nuke”. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for bringing us this awesome content guys and gals.

[@RT-xj7el]

Very cool. Wish I lived near this place. :)

[@andybellamy899]

I want to visit this place so bad!!!

[@CalvinChikelue]

Good lord that chicken sandwich looks like heaven

[@theyuragoon3226]

This channel entertains me while I'm eating food that's lower quality than the 240p I'm watching in because my service is ass ☠️

[@saintshall3265]

I gained 20 pounds during the pandemic and Ive been trying to lose weight. Ive been watching this channel to cope with my hunger lmao

[@joeybaah3271]

You got this 💪🏽

[@RAM-im1xf]

Life's short bro, sounds like you were eating some good food. Don't stress over it.

[@saintshall3265]

@@RAM-im1xf thanks lol ♥️

[@timmyasikin5895]

Good job !

[@timmyasikin5895]

@@RAM-im1xf correct....

[@danielpreilly77]

Seems like a solid dude, very mindful approach to his food. Respect

[@omefea8501]

I wish this place and these people a long time of success. My lord, that just got better and better. Their restaurant gonna be flyyyyyyyy...!!

[@ErikPukinskis]

3 million subscribers: I don't need to say it, but this is the best cooking channel on KZbin.

[@sambailor]

I need them to reopen soon

[@randomshit550bolobuds6]

Where is this located they closed?

[@rocketman3770]

@@randomshit550bolobuds6 temporarily. It is called 'Pecking house' in BK

[@neliacwahs895]

That little extra food cost to make it crispy in the fridge is a beautiful thought.

[@thekop9621]

Eater always coming with the best episodes and coverage of restaurants and gastronomy. Whenever I see an EATER notification, I click fast. EATER is by far the best channel on KZbin covering all thing related to food.

[@linky7772]

agreed bud

[@Dimaz42]

yea, I like that they just let the chefs do their thing and run the show instead of bombarding them with questions

[@heresjohnny602]

Anyone would think they're paying you.

[@thekop9621]

@@heresjohnny602 certified nope.

[@sikyya3732]

@@thekop9621 Sounds like what someone who was getting paid would say.

[@Arcenia13]

Delicious! Bravooooo to the chef and his team!!!!!

[@nathan2964]

Cool! First 35 seconds of the vid was everything its all abt. Thanks i dont have to spend 9 mins watching

[@cliftons.roberts1449]

His food looks absolutely amazing! Also would like to know who did his tattoos!

[@lokiasred]

Nice one..tq for sharing 😀

[@nahum3557]

Looks insanely good

[@RoTelnCheese]

Thank you for making me even more hungry

[@stevenesquivel1778]

Great story and great food video

[@dev-pj9vi]

I have never wanted to visit New York until seeing this dude’s chicken.

[@JohnnyJQuest]

Whoa I remember reading about the password chicken during the pandemic, I am glad to see you're doing well!

[@KillerTacos54]

Wow looks amazing

[@martinvera5962]

That looks phenomenal 🍗 👀

[@prasannagunit]

Great story and production quality

[@timmyasikin5895]

True

[@pishedbloke]

Simplicity doesn't mean it isn't well thought out. Eric's an inventor!

[@warrenjrjr4470]

Dexter Morgan would be very proud of this man's knife work.

[@juanzacatelco3906]

Damm its crazy how easy you make it look

[@Mickey_Valentine]

Wow...... I never though id be drooling over fried chicken ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ beautiful work Chef 🏅

[@pluckybellhop66]

Fried chicken covered in oily sauce turns my stomach so hard, I envy people who are healthy and acclimated enough to enjoy this rich food 🥺

[@austinhedrick4289]

Great video 😊

[@sinbadddx]

This looks delicious! Respect to the hard work and effort put into it

[@michaelrispulo3377]

Awesome chef

[@DeathclawJedi]

Don't know much about fried chicken but I do know my grandma's fried chicken was part corn meal part flower and a butt load of spices and seasonings. So this was very interesting to watch.

[@stellahaynesworth5833]

Crunchy crunchy 😋

[@netogame7727]

It’s really awesome looking at Latinos in the kitchen attacking any time type of cuisine. Makes me very proud. And this chef is really awesome very calm and well spoken.

[@mikekenney8362]

Awesome product

[@adventureswithcarl123]

Looks so delicious

[@Kedoink18]

It says it's temporarily closed on Google maps?

[@backpackpepelon3867]

This guy is smooth af, it's triggering my danger sense 😅