Okay, wing fans, this one’s about to get interesting! Albert, from Vancouver, introduced me to Kělè Jīchì or Coca-Cola Chicken Wings, and honestly? I’m so surprised at how delicious these turned out!

I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical. Coca-Cola…in a wing sauce? But Albert, whose family is Chinese, assures me this is a legit Chinese home-cooking staple. It started trending in the 80s, partly because cola was seen as a fancy American product. Now, it’s a go-to dish because it’s easy, tasty and you can find everything at your local supermarket. Albert also recalls fighting his siblings over the very last wing. Make these and you’ll get it.

Forget frying or baking. These wings are braised. First, you sauté them in a skillet or wok, then you let them simmer in the Coca-Cola sauce until it thickens into a caramel-like, sticky, gingery glaze that envelops the wings. It sounds so simple, but the flavor combo is bold and unique.

So, do they actually taste good? Yep! The cola flavor disappears completely and you’re left with this savory, sweet, slightly spicy sauce with a kick of ginger. Plus, the braising makes the wings incredibly juicy and tender. I kinda love how these look too! They’re this deep, glossy brown, with the sesame seeds and green onion adding a pop of color.

Kělè Jīch is a must-try. It takes a little more attention than some other recipes but the result is absolutely worth it. Trust me, you’ve never tasted wings like these before!