
Chicken butt, also known as parson's nose, is considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia. In Japan, it is called bonjiri or sankaku, while in the Philippines and Thailand, it is known as puwet ng manok and dtòot gài yâang, respectively. While it may not be the most appetizing dish, it is said to be juicy and tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked properly. So, the next time you're feeling adventurous, why not give chicken butt a try?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Actual name | Pygostyle |
| Other names | Bonjiri, Sankaku, Chicken butt, Chicken batty, Parson's nose |
| Considered a delicacy in | Japan, Philippines, Thailand, other parts of Asia |
| Type of meat | Fatty |
| Texture | Juicy, melt-in-your-mouth, cartilage-like, crispy crunch on the outside |
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What You'll Learn

The chicken butt is considered a delicacy in some parts of Asia
Chicken is the world's most consumed meat, with its versatility reflected in cuisines worldwide. However, despite its ubiquity, certain parts of the bird are considered more "edible" than others, with some portions, like the beak, often discarded. The chicken butt, or pygostyle, is one such example, shunned in many places. However, in several parts of Asia, this very same cut of meat is considered a delicacy.
In Japan, the pygostyle, or chicken butt, is a popular dish at yakitori restaurants. It goes by various names, including "bonjiri" or "bonchiri," and "sankaku," meaning "triangle." The meat is seasoned with salt or tare sauce and grilled over charcoal, resulting in a crispy exterior and a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. As the fattiest cut of meat from a chicken, containing the oil glands for preening feathers, it offers a unique culinary experience.
Outside of Japan, chicken butt is also savoured in other Asian countries. In the Philippines, "Puwet ng manok" is a street food delicacy, barbecued on a stick over charcoal. Similarly, in Thailand, "ตูดไก่ย่าง" or "dtòot gài yâang" is a chicken butt dish prepared in a similar fashion. In Taiwan, chicken butt is available as a barbecued skewer, resembling satay, and is often sold at night markets.
The appeal of chicken butt in these Asian cultures extends beyond taste. The tailbones are believed to possess medicinal properties, touted as a traditional folk remedy for bad skin due to their high collagen content. Additionally, a study from the Nutrition and Dietary Studies of America found that chicken tailbones are higher in iron and calcium than chicken breast, providing a nutritional boost alongside their unique flavour and texture.
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It is called bonjiri or sankaku in Japan
While chicken butt is shunned in many parts of the world, it is considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia, including Japan. In Japan, the chicken's butt is referred to as "bonjiri" or "sankaku", which means "triangle". It is a popular dish at yakitori restaurants, where it is seasoned with either salt or tare sauce and grilled over charcoal. The tail meat is the fattiest cut of meat from a chicken as it contains the oil glands for preening feathers, resulting in a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked slowly. It also has a cartilage-like consistency and a crispy exterior.
The pygostyle, or chicken butt, is the heart-shaped flap covering the posterior where the tail feathers gather. It contains the last few bones of the spinal column. While some may find the term "chicken butt" humorous, it is not considered a formal menu item in restaurants. Instead, more elegant terms like "Parson's nose" or "chicken pygostyle" are used to describe this part of the chicken.
In other parts of Asia, chicken butt is also enjoyed as street food. In the Philippines, it is known as "Puwet ng manok", while in Thailand, it is called "ตูดไก่ย่าง" or "dtòot gài yâang". It is often barbecued on a stick over charcoal, adding to its juicy flavour and crispy texture.
The chicken's pygostyle is not only valued for its taste but also for its perceived health benefits. In Asia, tailbones are believed to be a traditional folk remedy for bad skin due to their high collagen content. This belief has likely contributed to the popularity of chicken butt as a delicacy in these regions.
Overall, while chicken butt may not be a widely accepted dish globally, it holds a special place in the cuisines of various Asian countries, including Japan, where it is savoured for its flavour, texture, and perceived health benefits. The terms "bonjiri" and "sankaku" in Japan reflect the cultural appreciation for this unique culinary treat.
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In the Philippines, it is called Puwet ng manok
Chicken butt, also known by its formal name, pygostyle, is considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia, including the Philippines. In the Philippines, chicken butt is known as "Puwet ng manok". While it may be shunned in other parts of the world, Puwet ng manok is a popular street food item in the Philippines. It is often grilled on a stick over a charcoal fire, resulting in a crispy exterior and a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The pygostyle is the heart-shaped flap of skin covering the posterior of a chicken, where the tail feathers gather. It is considered a fatty cut of meat due to the presence of oil glands used for preening feathers. This high fat content, along with the collagen in the meat, contributes to its tender, cartilage-like texture and juicy flavour.
In the Philippines, the chicken butt is often prepared by barbecuing it on a stick over charcoal, similar to other street foods in the country. This method of preparation adds to the unique texture and flavour of the dish. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, Puwet ng manok is definitely worth a try for those adventurous enough to indulge in this local delicacy.
The chicken butt, or Puwet ng manok, is just one example of how different cultures embrace various parts of an animal to create unique and flavourful dishes. In the Philippines, it is not uncommon to find other chicken parts, such as intestines, feet, liver, and gizzard, being skewered and grilled to perfection. This utilisation of all parts of the animal demonstrates a respect for the food source and a commitment to minimising waste.
While the term "chicken butt" may be off-putting to some, it is important to recognise that this informal name is used to add a playful twist to what may be considered an unusual dish by some. The use of creative names, such as "Puwet ng manok," can help make the dish more approachable and intriguing to those who may be hesitant to try it.
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In Thailand, it is called ตูดไก่ย่าง or dtòot gài yâang
While chicken butt is shunned in many parts of the world, it is considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia, including Thailand. In Thailand, chicken butt is called ตูดไก่ย่าง or dtòot gài yâang. It is often barbecued on a stick over a charcoal fire and can be found as street food.
The chicken butt, or pygostyle, is the heart-shaped flap covering the posterior where the tail feathers gather. It is the fattest cut of meat from a chicken as it contains the oil glands for preening feathers. This means that when cooked properly, it has a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a crispy crunch on the outside. It also has a cartilage-like texture and is said to contain a lot of collagen.
In other parts of Asia, chicken butt has other names and is also considered a delicacy. In Japan, it is called bonjiri or sankaku, meaning 'triangle', and is seasoned with either salt or tare sauce before being grilled over charcoal. In the Philippines, chicken butt is known as Puwet ng manok and is also barbecued on a stick.
Some people might find the term "chicken butt" too informal or crude for a restaurant menu and instead opt for terms like "Parson's nose" or "chicken pygostyle". However, others argue that these alternative terms are humorous, possibly obsolete, and not much better than simply saying "chicken butt".
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The proper name for the chicken butt is pygostyle
While the term "chicken butt" may be humorous to some, the proper name for this part of a chicken's anatomy is pygostyle. This refers to the heart-shaped flap of skin covering the posterior, where the tail feathers gather. It is also known as the parson's nose, a humorous and possibly obsolete term. In some parts of the world, particularly Asia, chicken butts are considered a delicacy. For example, in Japan, it is called bonjiri or sankaku, meaning triangle, and is seasoned with salt or tare sauce before being grilled over charcoal. In the Philippines, it is known as puwet ng manok, while in Thailand, it is called dtòot gài yâang.
The pygostyle is the fatty protuberance in which the tail feathers are embedded, and it contains the last few bones of the spinal column. It is also the part of the chicken with the most fat, as it contains the oil glands used for preening feathers. This fat, combined with the high collagen content, gives the meat its juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked slowly. The pygostyle also has a cartilage-like texture and a crispy crunch when cooked properly.
While some may find the idea of eating chicken butts unappetizing, giving it a more elegant name like pygostyle can make it more appealing. This technique is often used in the food industry to make less desirable parts of meats sound more palatable. In addition to being a tasty treat, the pygostyle was once believed to have medicinal properties. In some Asian cultures, chicken tailbones are used as a traditional folk remedy for bad skin due to their high collagen content.
The pygostyle is not the only part of the chicken that has a unique name. Other terms related to chicken anatomy include "combs," which refer to the spikes on a chicken's head that help regulate body temperature, and "pin feathers," which are the new feathers that grow in after chickens lose their old ones in the fall. These pin feathers can be painful for chickens, so it is important to avoid touching them.
In conclusion, the proper name for the chicken butt is pygostyle, and this unique part of the chicken has cultural and culinary significance in various parts of the world. Whether considered a delicacy or a humorous novelty, the pygostyle is an interesting example of how different societies view and utilize different parts of animals for food, medicine, and entertainment.
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Frequently asked questions
Puwet ng manok.
ตูดไก่ย่าง (dtòot gài yâang).
Pygostyle.
Parson's nose.
In the 1960s in the southern USA, butchers would yell out prices on chicken cuts. For instance, "Chicken butt! Fifteen cents a cut!"











































