In Japanese, Japanese fried chicken is called “karaage.” Some people might think it resembles KFC, but it’s a different dish. It’s mainly made from chicken thighs or breast meat. Depending on the shop, they may use either thigh or breast meat.
It’s made in bite-sized pieces, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. While it might sound similar to KFC when described, it’s a distinct dish. Karaage is flavorful on its own, but it’s also recommended to eat it with lemon or mayonnaise.
In Japan, it’s widely enjoyed as a side dish with rice and as a snack with alcohol. I haven’t met any Japanese person who dislikes karaage. (Of course, there are probably some who don’t like it, but it’s such a familiar food for Japanese people.)
Karaage is available nationwide in Japan, from convenience stores and supermarkets to diners and izakayas. Additionally, there are “karaage specialty shops” that only sell takeout, often in small storefronts. Convenience stores often sell it as a hot snack near the cash register. Lawson convenience stores, for example, sell a product called “Karaage-kun,” which is a slightly snack-like version of karaage.
I recommend trying it first at a supermarket or diner/izakaya. However, if you come across a “karaage specialty shop,” it’s a must-try. The level of juiciness there is extraordinary. Karaage specialty shops often sell it by weight (usually in increments of 100 grams). But they’ll also sell you a specific number of pieces if you ask, so it’s no problem to point and say, for example, “Please give me three.” When there was a karaage specialty shop near my house, I used to buy it at least twice a week. The one near my house was called “Fuku no Kara.” I remember being shocked at how delicious karaage from a specialty shop could be. Although “Fuku no Kara” stores are only found in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba, there are many other karaage specialty shops, so please don’t worry!
Enjoy the enchanting world of Japanese karaage!