Tweet

“K.Hatanaka” some rights reserved. flickr

You might already be familiar with the Japanese version of fried chicken called “karaage”. Karaage itself is an old-fashioned Japanese food, but it is all the rage in the modern day! According to a recent survey by NHK (Japan’s national TV station) 90% of the 2000 Japanese people asked claimed they like karaage.

Recently in Japan, a variety of karaage specialty shops have sprung up, one after another. Especially in the Tokyo area, the number of karaage shops has increased from 10 to 150 in the last four years. Most of them are not restaurants but take-out style shops, and this low overhead might make it easier for newly opened places to sustain their business.

Interestingly, in 2008 an organization called Japan KARAAGE Association was established by true karaage lovers. Their main mission is to improve the status of karaage; spreading knowledge about karaage, seeking international collaboration, encouraging karaage experts, holding events, and so on.

I read that a karaage specialty store recently opened in Surabaya, Indonesia (where I lived a couple of years ago) as well. The day will come soon when karaage, like teriyaki chicken, is recognized world-wide!

And now I would like to share a karaage recipe from Create Eat Happy‘s Youtube video!

*****************************************************

Difficulty: Very Easy

Time: 40min (incl. marinating time)

Number of servings: 2

Ingredients: 

250g (8.8oz.) chicken thigh (with skin)

A
* 1 tbsp. soy sauce
* 1/2 tbsp. ginger juice
* 1/2 tbsp. sake
1/2 beaten egg

B
* 1 tbsp. flour
* 1 tbsp. katakuriko (potato starch)
vegetable oil for deep frying
ketchup or lemon if preferred

Directions:

1. Remove unwanted fat but leave the skin of chicken (because the skin makes the chicken crispier!) and cut up into bite-size pieces. 

2. Put the chicken in a bowl, add A and marinate for 30 minutes.

3. Drain well and mix beaten egg. Then mix B.

4. Fry them in oil at 170C (338F) for 5 minutes. Then turn to 190C (374F) and cook for 20 seconds to fry to a crisp golden brown.

*****************************************************

This recipe is kind of my favorite style! But I am also a big fan of garlic flavor, so would add some garlic (either powdered or grated) as well 🙂 Karaage is not difficult to cook. Why not try give it a go yourself?

Source: Naver Matome / Create Eat Happy

Author: Junko

This is JAPAN Style!