Topping & Side Dishes
Chicken Karaage
WHAT IS CHICKEN KARAAGE?
Chicken Karaage is a popular Japanese fried chicken dish made with bite-sized pieces of chicken marinated in soy sauce, sake, ginger, and garlic, then coated in potato starch and deep-fried until golden and crispy.
Juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, karaage is commonly enjoyed as a main dish, side dish, or snack. It also makes a flavorful ramen topping, adding savory richness and a satisfying contrast in texture to the noodles and broth.
HOW TO USE CHICKEN KARAAGE
Ramen Topping:
Add freshly fried chicken karaage to your ramen just before serving to enjoy its crispy coating. It pairs especially well with shoyu ramen.
Jiro-Inspired Ramen:
For a hearty, Jiro-inspired bowl, add karaage, bean sprouts, cabbage, and garlic to tonkotsu shoyu ramen.
Side Dish:
Serve karaage on its own as a classic Japanese side dish.
RAMEN PAIRING IDEAS
Instructions
1) Cut the boneless chicken thigh into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1–1¼ inches (3 cm)
2) In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sake, grated ginger, grated garlic, and white pepper. Add the chicken and mix well. Marinate for 20–30 minutes.
3) Fold the skin inward and gently shape each piece into a compact, rounded piece.
4) Drain off excess marinade and coat the chicken evenly with potato starch.
5) Heat the frying oil to 340–350°F (170–175°C).
6) Carefully add the chicken and deep-fry for approximately 4–6 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
7) Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on a wire rack.
8) Serve immediately as a ramen topping or enjoy as a side dish.
