Fried Chicken is foreign but an immensely popular food in Japan, and it owes that to the American fast-food giant, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Fried chicken is different from the Japanese version Karaage for its thick and crispy outer layer. Fried chicken becomes highly in demand in Japan as the Christmas season approaches, leading to long queues forming at restaurants. This unique phenomenon is deeply rooted in the cultural aspects of Christmas celebrations in Japan.
The relationship between KFC and Christmas holds a particularly interesting history in Japan. This tradition is a result of the unique cultural elements associated with Christmas celebrations in Japan. In the early 1960s, Christmas in Japan had already become more of a commercial event than a religious one. The concept that having some form of chicken dish is the tradition of Christmas from western countries, particularly the United States, began to spread. Many chicken butcher shops in Japan started selling Teriyaki Chicken Legs for Christmas alongside their traditional Yakitori grill. Seizing this opportunity, KFC launched the “Christmas is Kentucky” campaign in the mid-1970s. This campaign created an impression that it was customary to eat KFC chicken on Christmas. This phenomenon of the “Christmas is Kentucky” idea became ingrained, and it became common for many households in Japan to enjoy KFC chicken on Christmas Eve. This unique cultural tradition has firmly established itself, making KFC a Christmas staple for many people in Japan.
While KFC’s fried chicken is readily available worldwide, preparing homemade fried chicken can add a special touch to the holiday season. The experience of indulging in freshly deep-fried chicken at home is absolutely delightful. Although the idea of eating fried chicken on Christmas may sound strange for many people, it has become a quirky yet authentic Japanese cultural practice. We invite you to savor the uniqueness of this tradition and enjoy our fried chicken this holiday season!
Fried Chicken
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Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
Dry Rub
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp ground smoked paprika
Crust
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl. Pat the chicken surface dry with a paper towel and coat the chicken with the dry rub seasoning. Let it sit for 45 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature.
- Mix egg and water in a small bowl. In another bowl, combine the remaining crust ingredients. Coat the chicken with the egg mixture and then the flour mixture. Pat to remove excess flour from the chicken.
- Heat the deep-frying oil to 350°F and cook the chicken, turning it a few times until the internal temperature reaches 175°F, which should take about 15 minutes.
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