A Shanghai restaurant has come under fire for selling a half-chicken dish priced at 480 yuan (₹5,500), with staff justifying the high cost by claiming the chicken was raised on classical music and fed milk. The unusual claim quickly sparked online mockery and skepticism.
The “Sunflower Chicken” Controversy
The controversy began on March 14, when a businessman and influencer with 270,000 followers visited the Shanghai Club restaurant and was shocked by the price of the dish. Curious about the reason behind its steep cost, he jokingly asked the staff whether the chicken was raised listening to music and drinking milk—to which they confirmed.
The restaurant claimed the dish featured a rare breed called “sunflower chicken”, sourced from a specialized farm in Guangdong province. The farm’s description states that the chickens are fed juice extracted from sunflower stems and faded flower heads, giving them a distinct flavor.
“Emperor Chicken” and Michelin-Star Popularity
Sunflower chicken belongs to the three-yellow chicken breed, also known as “emperor chicken”, which is popular among Michelin-starred chefs for its tender texture and rich flavor. However, the sunflower chicken is considered even more premium, reportedly costing over 200 yuan (₹2,300) per kilogram, with a whole bird selling for more than 1,000 yuan (₹11,500) in high-end restaurants.
Fact-Checking the Claims
As the story gained traction, local media reached out to the sunflower chicken farm, where a staff member clarified that while the chickens are indeed exposed to classical music, they are not actually fed milk.
The influencer, who ultimately paid 480 yuan for the dish, expressed frustration over the misleading marketing. “I can accept the price, but not the fabricated stories,” he told the restaurant staff.
Shanghai’s Expensive Lifestyle Under Scrutiny
The controversy reignited discussions about Shanghai’s notoriously high prices, often referred to as “Shanghai currency”. The term became popular last year after reports of an 800g Japanese toast being sold in the city for 98 yuan (₹1,100)—double its price in Japan.
Government data shows that in 2024, the per capita disposable income of Shanghai residents was 88,366 yuan (₹10.1 lakh), nearly twice the national average, further fueling debates about the city’s extravagant spending habits.
Despite the backlash, the high-priced chicken dish continues to attract attention, leaving many wondering whether Shanghai’s luxury dining culture is more about exclusivity than taste.
