Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago.
Whenever I fly United Polaris (longhaul) business class, I try to sample something new. But this week I found something I cannot wait to order again…
Ever since United eliminated the tamale-stuffed chicken breast in business class, I’ve been left in a quandary. I fly United more than any other carrier and while it is rare that I order something I do not like, I have not found a new favorite.
But perhaps I now have courtesy of the Ginseng Chicken Bowl, which may come as a surprise to readers who know my usual food preferences. I tried it for the first time from San Francisco to London earlier this week.
Ginseng Chicken Bowl
Ginseng lemon grass chicken broth, grilled chicken, chick and lemon grass pot stickers, carrots, celery, green onion.
This soup is light and tastes healthy, even if my tastebuds were deceiving me. With cilantro added, it hit the spot unlike any United meal I’ve had in quite some time. Even the pot stickers, which I figured I would skip, were quite tasty, reminding me of Maultaschen, one my of favorite German delicacies.
CONCLUSION
The Ginseng Chicken Bowl is on the menu for most United intercontinental flights departing the USA this month and usually appears every other month. I do recommend it and look forward to ordering it again.
Have you tried the United Airlines Ginseng Chicken Bowl?
Yes! I tried it as a recommendation from the flight attendant. I usually get the beef short rib (which I always look forward to), but wanted to try something new. I agree, the cilantro added great flavor… and it was a little spicy! I very much enjoyed this new experience. Kudos to the chefs!
I wonder if it makes your breath bad? Anyone know?
Sometimes with longer business meetings, I avoid garlic and curry before the meeting.
Simply eat a mint Derek lol
If you’re on a long haul Polaris flight, you should probably brush your teeth prior to any meetings anyways.
I’d hit the garlic and curry hard. It just might make for a shorter meeting.
Was wondering how this would turn out. Looks fantastic!
I had it in May on IAD-ZRH and enjoyed it very much. Definitely a future choice.
The recipe is in this month’s Hemispheres….so now you can have this whenever you want!
I noticed that yesterday! Will try to post it.
Yes, please, and thank you. I saw the recipe on a flight today but forgot to take the magazine and can’t find it in the online version. Would love to make this.
I tried it on DEN-FRA on 27 June, and loved it. Presentation looked similar, only had two line wedges on a skewer. Definitely will be a go to dish in the future!
Had this Friday. Outstanding
Doesn’t say that this is free range chicken, so almost certainly it’s caged birds, pumped full of growth hormones and antibiotics. Munching on misery…no thanks.
But I avoided red meat just for you!
Yes, the improvement is noted, albeit starting from a very low base.
My favorite on United was the pork chop that they used to serve on the 747 to Asia. I haven’t seen it on recent flights though.
I’ve tried the short-rib and I didn’t like it, but I like my beef extremely rare which is impossible on an airplane.
Yes I had it last week and it was Great!
The best thing I’ve ever tasted on an
airplane. Whomever came up with this dish deserves kudos, …more like this please!!
I’ve enjoyed it a couple of times on United flights. My wife prefers the short rib as the Ginseng Chicken is a bit spicy for her.
It is my favorite Polaris entree at the moment!