Dico’s, a popular Chinese fast-food chain, has recently sparked attention with its latest menu item—charred-looking chicken strips that have raised some eyebrows. Since 2015, the restaurant has celebrated ‘Krispy Day’ by introducing one or two crispy dishes, but this year’s additions have garnered more attention than usual due to their unique appearance.
The new item, “Black Gold Pepper Crispy Pork,” was launched at Dico’s locations across China at the end of last month. It quickly went viral on social media, not just for its dark color, but because the strips’ shape has led many to joke that they resemble human feces. Hundreds of humorous comments have flooded the internet, poking fun at the unusual look. Although Dico’s clarified that the blackened appearance comes from a “black gold coating” used during the deep-frying process, many customers remain skeptical about trying the dish.
This isn’t the first time Dico’s has made headlines with its blackened food. In 2023, the company launched its “Crispy Fried Chicken 3.0 Version,” which featured a similar charred black exterior. The unusual look caught attention, with many commenting that the chicken was cooked to an extreme crisp. Dico’s explained that it developed the black coating by blending deep-sea cuttlefish ink with black rice, using a proprietary “high-temperature instant batter coating” method to ensure the food turned black quickly when fried. While people were intrigued by the color back then, this time, it’s the shape that’s turning heads.
Social media users have had a field day with the new dish, posting comments like, “I can’t even poop something that looks this good,” and “It’s a bit dry, you should drink more water,” while another joked, “I’ll go to the toilet and make it for you.”
Despite the online jokes, a Dico’s spokesperson assured Chinese media that the company prioritizes taste and quality. The spokesperson added that the chain had not received any negative feedback about the Black Gold Pepper Crispy Pork. In fact, those who have dared to try the new item have praised its taste and crispy texture.
