Chicken is an extremely popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine, with numerous delicious and iconic chicken dishes that are beloved staples of Japanese home cooking and restaurant fare. From fried chicken to simmered chicken stews and soups, chicken is prepared in diverse ways that highlight its versatility as an ingredient. But what is the most popular chicken dish in Japan? To answer this question, we need to examine the top contenders and look at data on chicken dish consumption, reviews, and cultural significance.
Some of the top chicken dishes in Japan include:
- Karaage – Japanese fried chicken
- Oyakodon – Chicken and egg rice bowl
- Toriniku no Karaage – Fried marinated chicken
- Tori no Karaage – Fried chicken without marinade
- Yakitori – Grilled chicken skewers
- Mizutaki – Chicken hot pot
- Oyakoshabu – Chicken and vegetables in hot pot
- Tori Soboro Don – Ground chicken over rice
- Chicken Katsu – Breaded, fried chicken cutlets
- Tori Nabe – Chicken stew
These beloved dishes grace the tables of households and izakaya pubs across Japan on a regular basis. But a closer look at the data reveals a clear winner for the title of most popular chicken dish in Japan.
Karaage is the Most Popular Chicken Dish
Karaage, Japanese-style fried chicken, emerges as the hands down favorite. The irresistible combination of succulent, juicy chicken pieces encased in a crispy, flavorful fried coating has cemented karaage as the number one way chicken is prepared and eaten in Japan.
Several key factors point to karaage as the chicken dish of choice for Japanese diners:
Karaage is ubiquitous
Karaage can be found everywhere in Japan. It is served as a standard menu item at casual dining restaurants across the country. Karaage is also a convenience store staple – freshly fried pieces are available 24/7 at the hot food counter. From train station bento boxes to festival food stalls, this crispy fried chicken makes frequent appearances all over Japan.
Karaage is the top selling chicken product in Japanese supermarkets
In grocery stores, prepared karaage is by far the best selling chicken product. Japanese supermarkets stock an entire refrigerated section devoted to karaage, with flavors ranging from standard to garlic, cheese, and spicy. The production numbers reveal its popularity – one major chicken brand produces 40 million packages of karaage per month to meet consumer demand.
Karaage has deep roots in Japanese food culture
While fried chicken is iconic across the globe, karaage holds special significance in Japan. Karaage has been an integral part of everyday home cooking and casual dining for decades. Recipes for karaage appear in Japan’s earliest cookbooks dating back to the 1800s. Its longevity and prevalence in both households and restaurants has solidified its status as the definitive chicken dish.
Trend data reflects karaage’s leading status
Data on Japanese consumer trends cements karaage’s standing. According to market research institute Fuji Keizai, the market size for karaage in Japan reached nearly $2 billion USD in 2020. Karaage also tops lists of most popular Japanese foods among both locals and visitors. In yearly consumer ranking polls of favorite fried foods, karaage consistently dominates the competition.
Other top contenders
While karaage emerges as the clear winner, other chicken dishes also have strong standing and cultural weight. Two dishes in particular have a claim as contenders for most popular chicken dish in Japan.
Oyakodon
This classic comforting dish of chicken, egg, onions, and other vegetables simmered in sauce and served over a bowl of rice has broad appeal. Beloved for its convenience, flavor, and ubiquity on casual dining menus, oyakodon has a loyal following. Data shows it is the second most consumed chicken dish in Japan after karaage. It likely owes this status to its presence as a standard lunch and dinner menu item across the country.
Yakitori
Skewers of bite-sized grilled chicken are another iconic Japanese chicken specialty. Yakitori’s social, shareable format makes it a popular pairing with drinks at Japan’s lively izakaya-style dining bars. Yakitori consumption has grown steadily in Japan over the past decade. From locally sourced organic chicken to specialty regional seasonings, high-end yakitori also has a growing gourmet presence. The broad appeal across income levels and its prominence in Japanese dining culture make yakitori a top contender.
Regional differences
While the data shows karaage’s primacy nationwide, digging deeper uncovers some interesting regional variations.
Kansai
The Kansai area, home to Kyoto and Osaka, demonstrates especially strong karaage consumption. A survey by nursing care company Nichii Gakkan found karaage was the most eaten food in Kansai homes, beating out even the region’s famed comfort food specialty, okonomiyaki savory pancakes. Kansai-style karaage stands out for its use of fresh ginger in the marinade and sauce.
Hokkaido
Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido shows more balanced popularity between karaage and other chicken dishes like yakitori. Hokkaido is Japan’s top chicken farming region, producing chickens prized for their juiciness and taste. With plentiful local chicken as an ingredient, yakitori and other skewer-grilled chicken dishes find an appreciative audience here alongside Hokkaido’s locally loved karaage.
Okinawa
The cuisine of southern Okinawa shows the most divergence, with a beloved regional specialty not found elsewhere – salt-and-pepper chicken wings. This dish of fried chicken wings coated in a mixture of salt, black pepper and spices originated from the island’s cultural fusion with Chinese and Southeast Asian influences. The wings’ craggy salt and pepper crust offers a different experience from karaage’s smooth breading, fueling its popularity as a local comfort food.
Conclusion
The numbers don’t lie. From deeply woven cultural roots to nationwide ubiquity and sheer production volume, karaage stands supreme as Japan’s number one chicken dish. Its magical combination of crispy coating encasing moist, juicy chicken has earned karaage a special spot in Japanese hearts and appetites. While regional favorites abound, karaage takes the crown as the most popular chicken dish across Japan. This crunchy, flavorful fried chicken is an icon of comfort, convenience and enjoyment – for good reason. Once you bite into a piping hot piece of perfectly fried karaage, its status as Japan’s chicken dish of choice makes perfect sense.
References
- Shokken. (2021). Leading chicken product companies in Japan in 2020, by sales revenue. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/885212/japan-leading-chicken-product-companies-sales-revenue/
- Nippon.com. (2013). Eat Karaage, Experience Japan. https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b00114/
- Gottlieb, A. (2020). Japanese fried chicken is bigger than KFC. Eater. https://www.eater.com/2020/9/23/21451206/japanese-karaage-fried-chicken-history-kfc
- Suntory. (2019). Japanese Eating Habits & Food Consumption. Suntory News Release. https://www.suntory.com/news/2019/1224.html
- Harada, Y. (2022). Salt-and-pepper chicken wings, the Okinawan comfort food now beloved all over Japan. SoraNews24. https://soranews24.com/2022/08/06/salt-and-pepper-chicken-wings-the-okinawan-comfort-food-now-beloved-all-over-japan%E3%80%90photos%E3%80%91/