1 pound chicken feet (about 1 dozen)
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 quarts oil
2-inch piece of fresh ginger
3 pieces star anise
For the marinade:
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
3 tablespoons black bean sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Shao-xing rice wine, sake, or vermouth
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon finely ground white pepper
1 ounce dried red chile pepper, broken up, or 1 jalapeño, sliced