A restaurant in Shanghai has sparked an online debate after selling a half chicken dish for 480 yuan (US$66), justifying the price by claiming that the Chicken Raised Listening to Classical Music and fed on a special diet. The controversy has drawn both amusement and criticism from netizens, who questioned the rationale behind such an expensive dish.
The so-called “sunflower chicken” is allegedly a rare breed known for its tender texture and succulent taste, but the extravagant pricing has led to widespread online mockery.
The Origin and Rarity of Sunflower Chicken
According to the restaurant staff, the sunflower Chicken Raised Listening to Classical Music, this chicken highly sought-after breed that originates from a farm in Guangdong province. The farm, which also operates as a commercial sunflower garden, feeds its chickens with juice extracted from sunflower stems and faded flower heads.
While the restaurant claimed that the chickens were also raised on milk, a staff member from the farm later clarified that the birds only listened to classical music but were not given milk.
This breed, also referred to as the “three-yellow chicken” or “emperor chicken,” is prized by Michelin-starred chefs for its unique taste and texture. The name derives from the bird’s distinctive yellow beak, skin, and feet.
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Due to its rarity and the specialized farming techniques used in its upbringing, the sunflower chicken is priced at over 200 yuan (US$28) per kilogram. A whole sunflower chicken can cost more than 1,000 yuan (US$140) in high-end restaurants, making it a luxury item among poultry dishes.
Public Reaction and Online Mockery
The viral video posted by a businessman and influencer, who has 270,000 followers, showcased the small portion of chicken served at an eye-watering price. The influencer was visibly shocked and confronted the restaurant staff about the authenticity of their claims regarding the chicken’s upbringing. Many online users found the justification ridiculous, ridiculing the concept of a chicken’s diet and auditory experience influencing its taste.
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Sarcastic comments flooded Chinese social media, with users making humorous comparisons to their own livestock. One user quipped, “Can my chicken be priced at 1,888 yuan (US$260) a dish? They were raised listening to Shanxi music.” Another netizen mocked the marketing strategy, stating, “Amazing the bizarre stories one can make up to sell products.”
Some commentators linked the controversy to the term “Shanghai currency,” a phrase that describes the city’s notoriously high prices. Shanghai has become known for expensive dining experiences, where seemingly ordinary items are sold at exorbitant rates.
A prime example of this trend was the infamous Japanese toast, which was sold for 98 yuan (US$14) per loaf in Shanghai while being available at half the price in Japan. The city’s high disposable income has enabled a market for such luxury food items, but many residents remain skeptical about the true value behind the price tags.
The Luxury Food Market in Shanghai
Shanghai has a long history of catering to a wealthy and extravagant clientele, making it an ideal market for exclusive and high-priced food items.
With a per capita disposable income of 88,366 yuan (US$12,200) in 2024, double the national average, the city’s residents have greater purchasing power. This economic reality has fueled the growth of luxury food markets, where high prices are often equated with exclusivity and quality.
Luxury food branding is a common strategy used by high-end restaurants to attract affluent customers. Ingredients are often marketed as being rare, meticulously sourced, or subjected to extraordinary care, such as feeding techniques or special environments.
The sunflower chicken is just one example of how restaurants capitalize on the perception of exclusivity, crafting narratives that enhance the perceived value of their dishes. However, despite Shanghai’s affluent market, not all consumers are willing to accept the high prices without scrutiny.
The backlash against the sunflower chicken highlights a growing skepticism among diners who question whether such pricing is truly justified or merely an exploitative marketing gimmick. While some may be willing to pay for the experience of eating an exclusive dish, others view it as an unnecessary extravagance and a symptom of overpriced dining culture.
The controversy surrounding the sunflower chicken serves as a reflection of broader consumer sentiments in China, where people are increasingly vocal about issues of value for money. The rise of social media has made it easier for customers to share their opinions and call out restaurants that they perceive as overpricing their products.
This incident demonstrates how public perception can shape the success or failure of luxury food trends, and how consumer skepticism is playing a larger role in defining what is considered acceptable pricing in the high-end culinary market.
Ultimately, whether the sunflower chicken is worth its price tag remains a matter of personal preference. For some, the appeal of a meticulously raised, Michelin-star-worthy chicken justifies the cost. For others, it is nothing more than an overpriced gimmick.
Either way, the viral reaction to the dish has certainly placed the spotlight on Shanghai’s extravagant food culture and the sometimes absurd lengths to which restaurants will go to justify their pricing strategies.
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