Japanese Fried Chicken Sandwich (Karaage) with a Ponzu Slaw

Karaage is a Japanese cooking technique similar to deep frying, either as little tenders or in a sandwich like this one. I paired with a lemony kewpie mayo and ponzu slaw.

The Deets:
In February 2023, I was in Hokkaido for my honeymoon and had Japanese fried chicken or karaage for the first time. Honestly I’ve been dreaming of it ever since, so I knew I needed to make it at home. When I had it, it was paired simply with lemon and a little ponzu, so I created a sandwich with a ponzu slaw and a lemony kewpie mayo. The chicken is marinated overnight and then gets a simple coating of potato starch and then fried. I am so happy with how this turned out and even more nostalgic to go back to Japan, truly one of the best places in the world. 

This recipe:
I adapted Kenji Lopez karaage recipe from “The Wok Book” for the marinade and coating. His version fries in a wok (I’ve made that version and also so so good) but for this I opted to give a full deep fry and turned into a sandwich. The rest is a simple slaw and pulled flavors from what I had in Hokkaido. 

• Sandwiches

Japanese Fried Chicken Sandwich (Karaage) with a Ponzu Slaw

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Ingredients

Serves 4 Sandwiches

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Chicken marinade:

• ▢ 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken thighs 
• ▢ 1 tbsp Minced fresh ginger
• ▢ 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp Sake
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Salt
• ▢ 1/3 cup Potato starch (or corn starch)
• ▢ 1/3 cup Flour 
• ▢ Peanut or neutral oil for frying
• ▢ 3 tbsp Black and white sesame seeds 

Ponzu Slaw:

• ▢ 2 cups Slaw mix 
• ▢ 3 tbsp Scallions, sliced
• ▢ 2 tbsp Rice wine vinegar 
• ▢ 2 tbsp Ponzu sauce
• ▢ 2 tbsp Sesame oil 
• ▢ 1 tbsp Honey
• ▢ 1 tsp Minced fresh ginger
• ▢ 1 tbsp Sriracha
• ▢ 2 tbsp Black and white sesame seeds

The rest:

• ▢ Kewpie mayo
• ▢ A nice squeeze of lemon
• ▢ Zest of half the lemon 
• ▢ Sea salt 
• ▢ Pepper
• ▢ Brioche buns (or a potato bun)

Instructions 

• Combine chicken with with ginger, soy sauce, sake and salt and toss until thoroughly combined. Let sit in the fridge for at least 30 min or up to 24 hours.
• Combine starch and flour in a large bowl. Add sesame seeds and mix until combined. When chicken is ready, remove from the marinade and coat in the starch mixture, knocking off any excess. Repeat with all pieces of chicken.
• Add oil to a large pan about an inch up the side. Let oil get to 350 degrees and then add in the pieces of chicken. Cook until crispy, about 4 min per side. 
• Make the kewpie mayo and slaw by combining ingredients and season to taste. 
• Toast bun and add lemon mayo, and a piece of chicken. Give the chicken another nice squeeze of lemon. Add slaw and enjoy! 

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