Translation guide
The English verb 'fry' refers to cooking food in hot oil or fat. Japanese has several verbs that correspond to different frying methods, from deep-frying to stir-frying and pan-frying. The most common and versatile is 揚げる (deep-fry), but other terms are used depending on the amount of oil and technique.
To cook food by submerging it completely in hot oil.
The standard verb for deep-frying. Used for foods like tempura, karaage, and tonkatsu.
I deep-fry chicken.
Deep-frying tempura is difficult.
Literally 'make into a fry', often used for Western-style fried foods like fried fish or fried shrimp.
I fry the fish (in batter/breadcrumbs).
To cook food quickly in a small amount of oil while stirring or tossing.
To cook food in a small amount of oil in a frying pan, often without constant stirring.
A general verb for cooking with direct heat, including pan-frying, grilling, and baking. When used for frying, it implies cooking in a pan with a little oil.
焼く is very broad; context (like mentioning a frying pan) clarifies it's pan-frying rather than grilling.
To deep-fry food coated with flour or starch, often without batter, resulting in a crispy texture.
Specifically refers to making karaage, Japanese-style fried chicken or other foods coated in seasoned flour/starch and deep-fried.
揚げる is deep-frying (submerged in oil). 炒める is stir-frying or sautéing (small amount of oil, constant movement). 焼く is a general cooking verb that can mean pan-fry, grill, or bake depending on context. To clearly express pan-frying, say フライパンで焼く.
フライする is a loanword from English 'fry', but it's not commonly used as a general verb. It appears mainly in compound words like フライドチキン (fried chicken) or フライパン (frying pan). For cooking actions, use the Japanese verbs above.
The standard verb for stir-frying or sautéing. Used for vegetables, meat, and mixed dishes.
I stir-fry vegetables.
Please stir-fry the meat and onions.
Literally 'make into a stir-fry', used when turning ingredients into a stir-fried dish.
I made a stir-fry with leftover vegetables.
I pan-fry fish in a frying pan.
Loanword from French 'sauté', used in recipes and cooking contexts for pan-frying with a small amount of oil.
Sauté mushrooms in butter.
I made fried chicken (karaage).
Alternate kanji for karaage, less common.
Chicken made into karaage is delicious.
She is frying chicken in a deep pot.
Let's stir-fry the vegetables quickly.