Be it karaage or yangnyeom, country fried or har cheong gai, fried chicken is always a good idea
Greasy, succulent, yet impossibly crisp, fried chicken is a universal comfort food adored throughout the planet. From Japan to Guatemala, Korea to Taiwan, the delightful treat never fails to bring out one’s inner child. Treat yourself to any of these tasty fried chicken variants, or call up some friends and try them all—you deserve it.
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1. Karaage (Japan)
Crisp is the name of the game when it comes to any fried chicken, but the Japanese tori no karaage takes this to the next level. Commonly made with skin-on chicken thighs, karaage is notably juicy and flavourful; the dark meat boasts more fat (and more flavour), and the skin not only adds texture but helps conceal all the tasty juices within. A soy-based marinade enhances the flavour even further, often combined with mirin, ginger, and sometimes sesame oil. Enjoy the bite-sized nuggets on their own or with a squeeze of lemon and swipe of Japanese mayonnaise—you can’t go wrong.
Tatler Trivia: in Japan, Christmas is all but synonymous with fried chicken, but not karaage. Believe it or not, American-style Kentucky Fried Chicken has become a national tradition in the holiday season.
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