Let’s talk about Karaage. If you’re not familiar, Karaage is Japanese fried chicken, and it’s seriously delicious. The texture is light and crispy, and the flavor is rich and savory.
What sets Karaage apart from typical fried chicken is the way it’s prepared. It’s marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before being lightly coated in flour or potato starch and then deep-fried. It’s usually served without any sauce, but it’s often paired with lemon wedges or mayonnaise.
Karaage Don is a Japanese rice bowl featuring that amazing Karaage. It’s a complete meal, with crispy chicken, a flavorful sauce (usually a teriyaki-style sauce), and a bed of hot, fluffy rice. It can be served as a side dish, main course, or appetizer. It’s a simple dish that pretty much everyone loves.
What is karaage?
Karaage is a Japanese cooking technique in which foods are deep-fried. While it can be used for a variety of foods, it’s most often used to prepare fried chicken.
Origins and history
Karaage originated in Japan, adapted from Chinese-style fried dishes. Over time, karaage has evolved into a staple of Japanese cuisine, widely available in restaurants and home kitchens.
Key characteristics
- Marinating. With karaage, bite-sized pieces of chicken are marinated in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with umami goodness.
- Breading. Karaage chicken is typically coated in potato starch or cornstarch. This gives it a light, crispy crust that doesn’t overpower the flavor of the chicken.
- Frying. The chicken is deep-fried until it’s golden brown and crispy. Many cooks use a double-fry technique to make it even crispier.
Karaage Don ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make a delicious karaage don at home:
Karaage
- Chicken. Boneless, skin-on chicken thighs are the traditional cut for karaage because they’re juicy and flavorful. You can use chicken breasts, too, but you may have to adjust the cooking time.
- Marinade. A flavorful marinade is key to good karaage. The marinade usually includes soy sauce, sake, mirin, garlic, and ginger. Some cooks also add sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper.
- Breading. Potato starch is the gold standard for achieving that crispy, craveable karaage texture. Cornstarch will also work, but the texture won’t be quite the same.
Donburi
- Rice. Cooked Japanese short-grain rice is the foundation for a donburi. Make sure the rice is hot and fluffy when you assemble your bowl.
- Sauce. The sauce is typically made from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and water. Some cooks add a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for extra flavor.
- Garnishes. Sliced green onions, pickled ginger, and Japanese mayonnaise (like Kewpie) are classic toppings. If you like a little heat, sprinkle on some seven spice (Shichimi Togarashi).
Step-by-step Karaage Don recipe
Here’s how to make this delicious dish at home:
Preparing the Karaage
- Marinating the chicken. Cut the chicken into roughly 2-inch pieces. In a bowl, whisk together your soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sake. Add the chicken and mix well to make sure all sides are coated in marinade. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.
- Dredging the chicken. Mix your potato starch with a tablespoon or two of water. You want a slightly lumpy texture for extra crunch. Dredge each piece of marinated chicken in the potato starch, making sure it’s fully coated. Place the dredged chicken on a wire rack and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Frying the chicken. Heat your oil to between 325 and 340°F (163-171°C). Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, for 3 to 4 minutes, until it’s a lovely golden brown. Remove the chicken from the oil and let it rest on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, double-fry the chicken for another minute to achieve maximum crispiness.
Assembling the Karaage Don
- Preparing the sauce. Combine your soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce has thickened a bit.
- Plating the dish. Place a serving of hot, fluffy rice in a bowl. Arrange the fried Karaage pieces on top of the rice. Drizzle the sauce generously over the chicken and rice.
- Garnishing. Garnish your Karaage Don with sliced green onions, pickled ginger, and a dollop of Japanese mayonnaise. For an extra kick, sprinkle with shichimi togarashi (seven spice).
Tips for Perfect Karaage Don
Here are some tricks and techniques I’ve picked up over the years that can help you make the best karaage don possible.
Achieving Crispy Karaage
- Potato starch is your friend. Using potato starch will give your chicken that classic crispy texture. Cornstarch will work in a pinch, but it won’t be quite the same.
- Double fry. Frying the chicken twice makes it extra crispy and helps it stay that way longer. Let the chicken rest a few minutes between frying sessions to let the coating set up properly.
- Monitor oil temperature. Keeping the oil temperature consistent is key to ensuring the chicken cooks evenly and gets perfectly crisp. Use a thermometer to keep an eye on the oil.
Flavor Enhancement
- Marinate, marinate, marinate! Letting the chicken marinate overnight will give the flavors a chance to really soak in. If you’re short on time, even a 30-minute marinade will make a difference.
- Adjust the sauce to your liking. Feel free to play around with the sauce ingredients to get it just right. Add more sugar if you like a sweeter sauce, or more soy sauce for a saltier kick.
Serving Suggestions
- Top it with an egg. A soft-boiled or hard-boiled egg on top adds richness and protein.
- Serve with sides. Miso soup or a simple salad are great accompaniments for a complete and satisfying meal.
Conclusion
Karaage don is a classic Japanese rice bowl that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The crispy, juicy karaage chicken, the fluffy rice, and the savory-sweet sauce combine to create a satisfying and comforting meal.
Plus, karaage don is easy to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and the right techniques, you can have a delicious and impressive dish on the table in no time.
The beauty of karaage don lies in its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different sauces, toppings, and garnishes to create your own unique version. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests, karaage don is always a great choice.
So, gather your ingredients, follow the recipe, and prepare to enjoy the delightful flavors of this beloved Japanese dish. You might just find that karaage don becomes a new favorite in your household!