Buying Chicken Feet in Germany: A Practical Shopping Guide

Finding authentic chicken feet in Germany can be a challenge. Whether you want to recreate the distinctive flavour of Dim Sum at home, simmer a nutritious broth, or prepare the savoury snack you know and love from back home, the availability and selection of the right products are crucial. Many fans of Asian cuisine face the same question: Where can you buy high-quality chicken feet suitable for traditional recipes?

This guide is here to help. As your Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, I have analysed the available options to give you a clear overview. The goal is to help you make an informed decision that perfectly matches your culinary plans—whether it's for a quick ready-to-eat meal or cooking from scratch.

What to Look for When Buying Chicken Feet?

Before you make your choice, there are a few points to consider. The type of chicken feet you need depends heavily on the dish you plan to prepare.

1. Preparation Style: Pre-Seasoned or Raw?

The first and most important decision is whether you want to buy pre-cooked or raw chicken feet.

• Ready-to-Eat Chicken Feet: These products are already cooked, seasoned, and often vacuum-sealed or frozen. They are ideal for a quick and hassle-free meal. Typical examples include steamed chicken feet in black bean sauce, as you'd find in Dim Sum, or pre-braised varieties. They usually just need to be thawed and then steamed or heated.
• Raw Chicken Feet: If you want full control over the flavour and texture, raw chicken feet are the right choice. They are the foundation for a wide range of authentic dishes, from a slow-cooked chicken feet for soup that is rich in collagen, to self-marinated and braised Phoenix Claws (Feng Zhao). The preparation takes more time (cleaning, trimming nails, blanching), but it allows for maximum culinary freedom.

2. Processing Style and Texture

Chinese chicken feet are known for their unique texture. A popular style is Tiger Skin Chicken Feet (虎皮凤爪, Hǔ Pí Fèng Zhuǎ). To create this characteristic wrinkled skin, the chicken feet are deep-fried after blanching and then plunged into ice water before being braised. This texture ensures that the sauce is absorbed particularly well. Other preparations, like those for Dim Sum, focus on a soft, gelatinous consistency that melts in your mouth. Pay close attention to the product description to find the style you desire.

3. Pack Size and Quality

Check the net weight to ensure it's sufficient for your needs. Larger packs are often more practical for preparing soups or for family meals. For raw products, the size of the individual chicken feet can also be an indicator—larger ones offer more meat and a more gelatinous texture.

Top Chicken Feet Picks

Based on the criteria above, we have curated a selection of products that cater to different needs and cooking styles.

1. Laweiju Braised Chicken Feet 500g (Tiger Skin Style)

Why It Stands Out These chicken feet from Laweiju are prepared in the classic Tiger Skin style. The special process of frying and braising gives them a wrinkled skin that perfectly absorbs the savoury marinade. The tender, gelatinous texture comes off the bone easily.

• Key Features:

  • Authentic Tiger Skin texture for maximum sauce absorption.
  • Seasoned in a traditional Chinese master brine.
  • Convenient 500g family pack, ideal for Dim Sum at home or as a snack.
  • Simple preparation: Steam for 10–15 minutes after thawing.

• Who It's For? Anyone who loves the special taste and texture of braised Tiger Skin chicken feet and is looking for a convenient, pre-cooked option for the whole family or for multiple meals.

2. Delico Dim Sum Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce 400g

Why It Stands Out Delico brings the classic Dim Sum chicken feet flavour straight to your kitchen. The chicken feet are tenderly braised and marinated in a rich, savoury sauce of fermented black beans with a hint of spice—a beloved classic of Cantonese cuisine.

• Key Features:

  • Authentic restaurant-style taste of Phoenix Claws (Feng Zhao).
  • Fully cooked and ready to serve after a short steam (12–15 minutes) or heating in the microwave.
  • Ideal as an appetiser or side dish for an authentic Dim Sum experience.
  • Ingredients like fermented black beans, soy sauce, and sesame oil create a complex aroma.

• Who It's For? Lovers of Cantonese Dim Sum who want to enjoy the unmistakable flavour of chicken feet in black bean sauce at home without extensive preparation.

3. Mooijer-Volendam Raw Chicken Feet Jumbo XXXL 900g

Why It Stands Out These raw chicken feet from Mooijer-Volendam offer maximum flexibility for traditional recipes. Their Jumbo XXXL size ensures a high meat and gelatin content, making them ideal for soups and braised dishes.

• Key Features:

  • Raw chicken feet for complete control over seasoning and cooking method.
  • Versatile use: Perfect for preparing Sichuan-marinated chicken feet, Cantonese Dim Sum, or collagen-rich broths.
  • The jumbo size delivers an exceptionally rich texture.
  • Large 900g pack, ideal for stocking up or for larger cooking projects.

• Who It's For? Ambitious home cooks who want to prepare authentic Chinese chicken feet from scratch. Ideal for anyone looking to make their own chicken feet for soup or create their own marinades for braised dishes.

Discover More Options

If our selection doesn't quite match what you're looking for, or if you're curious about other flavours and brands, you can find additional options in our broader product category.

? Explore more products in the Chicken Feet Snack category here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What exactly are Phoenix Claws (Feng Zhao)?Phoenix Claws (Chinese: 凤爪, Fèng Zhuǎ) is the poetic name for a classic Dim Sum dish made from chicken feet. Typically, the chicken feet are fried, steamed, and then braised in a savoury sauce made from fermented black beans, chilli, and soy sauce. The result is a very tender, gelatinous texture and a complex, umami-rich flavour.

2. How do you properly prepare raw chicken feet? Preparation is crucial for the final result. First, the thawed chicken feet should be washed thoroughly. Then, the claws at the tips are trimmed off with kitchen shears. An important step is blanching: boil the chicken feet in water for 3–5 minutes to remove impurities. Afterwards, they can be processed further according to the recipe—for example, deep-fried for the Tiger Skin texture, braised directly, or cooked in a soup.

3. Are chicken feet rich in collagen? Chicken feet consist mainly of skin, tendons, and cartilage. This connective tissue is a natural source of collagen, which is converted into gelatin during cooking. This gives dishes like broths and braised chicken feet their characteristic rich and velvety consistency.