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Authentic Chicken Nanban

Savor the contrast of tangy vinegar glaze and rich homemade tartar sauce over crispy fried chicken with this Miyazaki classic.
Print Recipe
Course Main Dishes

Notes

Chicken Nanban is a legendary dish from Miyazaki, Japan. It features crispy fried chicken drenched in a sweet and tangy soy-vinegar glaze, smothered with a rich, chunky homemade tartar sauce.

Ingredients (2 Servings)

  • 1 lb Chicken thighs or breasts
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose flour & 1 Beaten egg
  • Nanban Sauce: 3 tbsp Soy sauce, 3 tbsp Rice vinegar, 2 tbsp Sugar, 1 tbsp Mirin
  • Tartar Sauce: 1 hard-boiled Egg (mashed), 1/4 Onion (minced), 4 tbsp Japanese Mayo, 1 tsp Lemon juice, Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Make sauces: For Nanban sauce, simmer ingredients in a small pan until sugar dissolves; set aside. For Tartar sauce, mix mashed egg, minced onion, mayo, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  2. Prep & dredge chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dust lightly with flour, then dip completely into the beaten egg.
  3. Fry chicken: Heat oil to 170°C (340°F). Deep-fry chicken for 5-6 minutes until cooked through and golden. Drain briefly.
  4. Glaze: While hot, submerge the fried chicken entirely into the sweet Nanban vinegar glaze for 30 seconds to soak up flavors.
  5. Serve: Slice the chicken, arrange on a plate, and spoon a mountain of homemade tartar sauce on top.
Keyword Chicken, Dinner, Fried Chicken, Miyazaki, Tartar Sauce
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