Karaage Don, or Japanese Fried Chicken Rice Bowl, is one of my favorite rice bowl’s to have. Especially when it’s steaming hot! The chicken is lighter in texture compared to the normal fried chicken, but still rich in flavor. It’s best to use potato/corn starch instead of flour for a delicious crispy texture, and if possible, use chicken thigh for a juicy taste.
Don is short for “Donburi”, which literally translates to “bowl”. It’s normally used as a suffix for Japanese rice bowl dishes such as Gyudon and Katsudon. I absolutely LOVE making this at home because that just means I can have as much chicken as I want! (And I get so sad when I finish my rice bowls quickly when eating out.)
You can use any toppings or garnishes you’d like. I added a poached egg, Japanese mayo, green onions and nanami togarashi for a little bit more heat. This karaage recipe is alcohol free, made without mirin and/or sake. Hope you’ll love this as much as I do!
RECIPE
Karaage Don
Ingredients
Marination
- 3/4 lb chicken thigh (cut to preferred size)
- 4 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar*
- 1/2 tbsp honey*
- 3 cloves garlic (crushed/grated)
- 3 tbsp potato/corn starch
Others (optional)
- 1.5 cups cooked rice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Japanese mayo
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 1 poached egg
- Nanami Togarashi
- green onions
Instructions
To make chicken karaage
- Marinate the chicken with all the ingredients listed except the potato/corn starch.
- Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
- Add the starch and mix well.
- In hot oil, fry till golden brown by batches and drain on paper towel.
To assemble rice bowl
- Add rice to a bowl and season with soy sauce and chili oil.
- Add as many chicken karaage as you want and Japanese mayo all over.
- Add a poached egg in the middle/on top and garnish with green onions and nanami togarashi for extra heat. Enjoy!
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