karaage

Japanese-style fried chicken is one of my absolutely favorite foods. Literally meaning “bare (kara) fry (age),” karaage is so named because it has only a thin coating of seasoned wheat flour or potato starch as opposed to a more substantial “koromo,” or coating.

Typically made with chicken, the karaage preparation has a wide range of variations from sanzoku-yaki (mountain bandit cooking) in Nagano to zangi in Hokkaido. I usually make it using a simple mix of soy sauce and sake to marinate the chicken, and them dip into katakuriko (potato starch) before frying until crisp. (Adding garlic and ginger to the marinade is also a great way to go!)

The other day, I wanted to experiment with this classic. I went with a tandoori marinade and then deep-fried with the typical katakuriko. The experiment was a success. The chicken came out tender and succulent and worked as a great friend of a nice saison or a hazy citrusy IPA.

Who doesn’t love fried chicken? Karaage is cut into pieces two or three bites in size and is usually boned, making it a great comfort food for lunch or dinner, as well as a fun appetizer to kick off a party.

This obento has rice with furikake sprinkled on it, a firm-boiled egg, bean sprouts, garlic chicken and broccoli.

The obento (bento box) is a meal filled with love and care. Traditionally made by mothers for their children, husbands and other family members to eat when away from home for a meal, the obento is usually for lunch.

I chose obento as the theme of my first blog post because it reminds me of how important it is to prepare each dish with care, a thought I keep foremost in mind when cooking at home or at the UpCountry.

I grew up in Japan, where food is very important. On this blog, I would like to share what I serve at the restaurant, what I eat at home and what I make for my dear friends and family members.

You are what you eat. You are who you are loved by. And you are who/what you care for.

This obento has rice topped with an umeboshi and sesame seeds, an egg and tofu dish, kinpira celery and karaage (fried chicken).

I hope you enjoy my posts.

Thank you.

Tag: karaage

The Obento