For the Chicken Hearted: Nagoya’s Karaage Places

Aug 30, 2024

For the Chicken Hearted: Nagoya’s Karaage Places

For me, the one particular meat that is done so differently here and yet done so right would have to be chicken. The textures and flavors you find from how it is grilled, fried or even left raw (in a relatively safe to eat manner!) make the experience of eating chicken almost like learning about a whole new kind of meat. Today, we will talk about where Nagoyans can go to partake in chicken karaage – the Japanese version of fried chicken.

Gaburi Chicken

With several spots in the downtown area, Gaburi Chicken is a staple in the Nagoya community. There is nothing fancy here – just strong flavors, quality meats and handcrafted perfection. Once the weather cools down slightly, grab a cup of chicken and hit the streets of Osu, Tsurumai, Sakae and anywhere else you find this wonderful shop! I should warn you that there is probably no real reason to choose the smaller portion options. Also, when in doubt: order another cup! I have yet to meet a Nagoyan who uttered “Oh man, I wish I didn’t eat that much chicken” when talking about Gaburi Chicken.

Gaburi Chicken Locations

Kin no Torikara

Featuring its adorable bushy eyebrowed mascot, Kin no Torikara is a popular spot for chicken lovers in Nagoya. It offers the standard variety of fried chicken options, including karaage and skewers, but the restaurant specializes in its namesake: Torikara, bite-sized chicken pieces that are seasoned and fried to crispy perfection. There are different seasoning options, from classic soy and garlic to spicier versions for those who enjoy a bit of heat. The chicken here is incredibly tender, and the seasoning penetrates deep into the meat, making every bite full of flavor. It’s also a great option for takeout, especially if you want to enjoy your karaage on the go while exploring the city.

Kin no Torikara

Lee’s Taiwan Kitchen

A fixture in Osu Kannon, Lee’s is a spin on the normal chicken karaage by offering various alternative flavors like their san san flavor. Of course, the unique flavors are a great appeal here, but Lee’s also brings over other popular items from Taiwan like tapioca drinks. For me, though, the big draw is the option to choose your own spice level! Most chicken karaage settles on doing savory right, but Lee’s lets you scale your spice level comfort zone from almost nothing to oh-so-delicious and oh-no-my-mouth-is-on-fire goodness. Lee’s is a common fixture in the various downtown events and festivals, making it a familiar face for longtime Nagoyan residents.

Lee’s Taiwan Kitchen Locations

Toritori Tei

While not quite a chicken karaage chain, this izakaya absolutely has a seat at the table of great chicken discussions. Its claim to fame is its legendary chicken namba, a dish made by drizzling tartar sauce over a chicken cutlet. “So what?” you may ask. “I’ve had tartar and chicken cutlets before. They are okay, probably great together, so what’s the big deal?” Well, I can forgive you for those comments. Toritori Tei’s addicting namba sauce should be studied by scientists as it poses an incredibly delicious danger to the community at large. You can choose the half or full size when you order the chicken namba. Your brain will think half, your heart will think full.

Toritori Tei Locations (Note: Toritori Tei never shows up well on Google Maps – or I am terrible at searching for it – so here is their website. Use browser translation to help!)

Furaibo and Sekai no Yamachan

We have written about these locations before and they are more known for their Japanese-style chicken wings (手羽先 – tebasaki) rather than their chicken karaage. However, you can definitely get a fix of whatever chicken you would like at these locations, so we would be remiss to leave them out!

Furaibo Locations

Yamachan Locations

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Have a favorite spot? Let us know in the comments!

Kirk K via Flickr, CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0