Eat This Now: Jerk chicken at Wah Gwan

Jerk chicken at Wah Gwan // Photo by Sarah Sipple

Over at University Academy on Holmes Rd., Mr. Ryan Hall’s 8th-grade English class has a long-running practice of learning about food writing through the “Eat This Now” column from The Pitch. Given the chance to put words to any restaurant in town using our format, the students have a rare opportunity to tackle the twisty skillset of blending persuasive and descriptive language with culinary concoctions. As part of a very special project and contest this year, The Pitch has decided to publish the three top submissions from these 8th-graders—getting their first byline in a major publication, as a reward for going above and beyond in Hall’s class. The following is one of three stories selected for this series, composed by Lyric Jackson. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

I’ve always wanted to travel the world. Whether that be to France or Puerto Rico–I want to see it all.

I don’t only want to see it all, but I also want to experience the culture, meet new people, and most of all, eat all the food that I can.

The problem is, well, not considering my age, of course, the many barriers to world travel. Luckily, Wah Gwan has brought a brand new world and taste right to my city.

Wah Gwan // Photo by Sarah Sipple

When I first saw the jerk chicken, I didn’t see any “woah” factors, but that’s okay with me. It gives a “homey’ vibe, even though I haven’t stepped foot in the Caribbean. The chicken had a brown, reddish color, and you could tell it wasn’t dry by the texture to the touch. The chicken thigh looked as if it was slow cooked and it felt soft all around. One thing that caught me off guard was the fact that you can literally feel the different textures of the spices on the chicken.

The scent of the chicken was so strong. It was smoky and savory, and I couldn’t help myself any longer, so I took the first bite.

Wah Gwan // Photo by Sarah Sipple

I was surprised by a bone because I thought it was chicken breast, but when I actually tasted the chicken, it had a lot of flavor. The chicken had this smoky taste, which is expected from the aroma, but what I didn’t expect was the sweet and spicy taste. I may be a weakling when it comes to spice, but trust me when I say, my nose was runny. And you know, sometimes when something is spicy, that’s all it is. But with this chicken, I could still taste every ounce of flavor. The culprit of the unexpected sweet taste was brown sugar and it combined perfectly with the smoky taste of it all. The spice was a burning but bearable sensation, and I managed to enjoy every bite without a single glass of water. Pat me on the back for that.

I managed to transport myself into a world I had not known before. The smoky aroma and the tangy flavor of the chicken were not only tasty but also eye-opening. Wah Gwan on Troost was like a new world for me. The colorful interior was comforting and welcoming, and all that comfort was reflected in the food.

Wah Gwan is located at 6228 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110.