Translation guide
In Japanese, 'deep-fried chicken' can refer to several distinct dishes. The most common is karaage, but other styles like tatsutaage and Western-style fried chicken also exist. This guide helps you choose the right term based on preparation and context.
The most common Japanese deep-fried chicken, marinated and coated in potato starch or flour, often served as a side dish or in bento.
The standard term for Japanese-style fried chicken. Usually bite-sized pieces marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, then coated with potato starch or flour and deep-fried.
I'll make karaage tonight.
This karaage is very juicy.
Explicitly says 'chicken karaage'. Useful when you need to distinguish from other karaage (e.g., fish).
I'll have the chicken karaage set meal.
A specific type of karaage where chicken is marinated and coated with katakuriko (potato starch) only, giving a lighter, crispier texture.
A variation of karaage using only potato starch for coating. Often associated with a more delicate, crispy crust. Sometimes written as 立田揚げ.
Tatsuta-age is crispy on the outside and tender inside.
American-style fried chicken with a thick, seasoned flour coating, often on the bone.
The loanword for Western-style fried chicken, like KFC. Typically refers to chicken pieces with a thick, crispy flour coating.
I ate fried chicken on the weekend.
Small, boneless pieces of chicken, often processed, with a uniform coating.
Refers specifically to chicken nuggets, like those from fast-food chains.
Kids love chicken nuggets.
Karaage (唐揚げ) is Japanese-style, usually marinated and coated with potato starch or flour, resulting in a thinner, lighter crust. Western-style fried chicken (フライドチキン) has a thicker, seasoned flour coating and is often eaten on the bone. If you say 'fried chicken' in English, Japanese people may think of KFC-style, not karaage.
Karaage and fried chicken are different.
If you want Japanese-style fried chicken, ask for 'karaage'. If you want Western-style, say 'furaido chikin'. Many izakaya and teishoku-ya serve karaage as a standard item.