Everything you need to know about Karaage: Japan's fried chicken

Karaage is more than just deep-fried chicken; it is a culinary experience that perfectly reflects the food culture of Japan. With its crispy crust and tender, juicy interior, karaage has become a favourite among the Japanese and can be found in izakayas, street markets and in the kitchens of Japanese households alike.

Karaage Chicken at MARU

What is karaage?

Karaage is a traditional Japanese dish that usually consists of marinated chicken that is deep-fried in a mixture of potato starch or wheat flour. The term "karaage" refers to the technique of deep-frying and can theoretically also be used for other ingredients such as fish or vegetables. In practice, however, karaage usually refers to chicken.

The right preparation makes all the difference

Preparing karaage starts with choosing the right part of the chicken. Chicken thighs are ideal, as they remain juicy and full of flavor despite being deep-fried. The meat is then marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, ginger and garlic. This marinade gives the meat its characteristic flavor and makes it particularly tender.

After marinating, the chicken is rolled in potato starch or wheat flour. This starch gives the meat a crispy crust when deep-frying. Frying typically takes place in two stages: First at a lower temperature to cook the meat, and then at a higher temperature to make the crust crispy.

Yuzu Ponzu Karaage Don at MARU

A dish with centuries of tradition

Karaage originated during the Edo period in the 17th century and has its roots in Chinese cuisine. The technique of deep-frying was brought to Japan and perfected there. The term "karaage" is made up of "kara" (for "China") and "age" (for "frying"). Since then, the dish has continued to evolve and is now an indispensable part of Japanese cuisine.

Incredibly versatile and loved by all

In Japan, karaage is enjoyed in many different ways. Whether as part of a bento box, as a snack accompanied by a lemon wedge, mayo and a cold beer or as a topping on a bowl of rice (karaage don), the crispy pieces of chicken are perfect for sharing in social gatherings. Karaage is indispensable at street festivals and matsuris and is an extremely popular street food option. Here you will meet people of all ages who appreciate this delicious snack.

Karaage stand at Matsuri festival. Photo: 松岡明芳

A real highlight of Japanese food culture

Karaage is a wonderful example of the richness of Japanese cuisine. Here at MARU, we appreciate the versatility and, of course, the irresistible taste of this Japanese highlight. Whether as a snack with yuzu mayo or as part of a donburi dish, our karaage is prepared with care and traditional methods to give you an unforgettable and tasty experience.

きてね! - Kite ne! - See you soon!

Karaage as part of a donburi with yuzu mayo and shichimi powder at MARU

MARU is a Japanese comfort food takeaway at Zurich main station that specializes in culinary highlights of Japanese cuisine that are still largely undiscovered in this country. Bestsellers include gourmet donburi, traditional udon noodle soups and crispy Japanese fried chicken (karaage). Matcha fans will get their money's worth at the integrated Matcha Bar, with various creations traditionally prepared with high-quality matcha powder from Uji.