Kara-age & Fried food

Kara-age, a simple dish of battered and fried chicken, is a national soul food loved throughout Japan. It is popular in a wide range of situations, not only as a staple in home cooking, but also as a side dish for bento boxes, a standard menu item at izakaya bars, and as a take-out gourmet dish. Generally, it is seasoned with seasonings such as soy sauce, sake, garlic, and ginger.

One of the attractions of kara-age is that it has different characteristics depending on the store and region. For example, there are unique details such as the part of the chicken, seasoning, frying method, and seasoning.

In recent years, unusual types of kara-age have been appearing one after another. You can enjoy various variations such as cheese flavor, mentaiko mayonnaise flavor, and curry flavor.

There are endless ways to enjoy kara-age. Enjoy kara-age in a variety of situations, such as as a side dish with rice, as an appetizer with alcohol, or as a side dish with a bento box.

In recent years, Kara-age specialty restaurants have been opening one after another. At specialty stores, you can enjoy various types of kara-age. In addition, the “Karaage Grand Prix” held every year is a B-class gourmet event to determine the most delicious kara-age in Japan.

Fami chiki (Family mart)：ファミチキ

Famichiki is a freshly fried chicken product sold at FamilyMart convenience stores. It usually comes in two variations: bone-in and boneless, and is flavored with sauces and spices.

Famichiki is popular as a simple and delicious snack, and is often chosen for lunch or late night snacks. Chicken sets will be sold at Christmas.

kara-age kun (Lawson)：からあげクン

Kara-age-kun is a fried chicken product brand sold at a convenience store called Lawson.

Nugget-style fried chicken that comes in a small box with a cute chicken illustration. It is seasoned with soy sauce and chili pepper. The “red” in the red package is spicy. There is also Kara-age-kun with a special flavor that is only available for a limited time.

Kara-age-kun is convenient and portable, making it a popular companion when on the go or traveling. Especially popular with children.

NaNa chiki (Seven-Eleven)：ななチキ

Nana Chiki is a chicken product sold at 7-Eleven convenience stores. It is popular for its plump, chewy meat texture and juiciness. The batter is flavored with spices such as black pepper and is delicious.

7-Eleven also has a similar product called “a-ge dori(frid chicken)”, but this one has a simple salty flavor. Because the batter is thinner, it is healthier than Nana Chiki.

These products are easily available at convenience stores in Japan and are loved by many people. Since each convenience store sells its own brand, each has its own unique taste and flavor.

Croquettes are a national gourmet dish that is loved all over Japan and can be said to be the king of fried foods. It is popular in a wide range of situations, including not only as a staple in home cooking, but also as a side dish in bento boxes, a popular item at delicatessen shops, and on restaurant menus.

It is a fried dish characterized by a crispy batter that envelops potatoes, meat, and vegetables. Usually, potatoes are mashed, some ground meat or vegetables are mixed in, and the resulting mixture is coated with flour or breadcrumbs and then fried. There are many other variations of toppings, and you can enjoy a variety of flavors such as cream croquette, curry croquette, and shrimp croquette.

Of course you can eat it as is, but you can also add sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, mayonnaise, etc. to suit your taste.

Croquettes are eaten in a variety of situations, such as as a snack or side dish with rice, as an appetizer with alcohol, or as a side dish with bento boxes. The National Croquette Festival is also held, where croquettes from all over the country come together.