Chicken Tatsuta-Age
America’s Deep South isn’t the only place that loves fried chicken: tatsuta-age is Japan’s own delicious version, which my family and I are addicted to! Our fried chicken is marinated with traditional Japanese aromatic flavorings and served with a refreshing and savory slaw. You can enjoy this versatile dish hot and crispy, or pack it for a picnic and eat it at room temperature—it travels extremely well. Tatsuta-age is also a perfect leftover food. It keeps in the fridge for several days without losing its flavor, and you can turn the boneless chunks into a delicious sandwich. When I was a kid, my mother often included this fried chicken in my lunchbox, a treat I happily share with my own school-age children today. Don’t use the breast for this dish—the legs and thighs have much more flavor. Be sure to keep the skin on, too.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 20 pieces, serves 4
Ingredients
Spicy Napa Cabbage Slaw
Marinade
Preparation
Step 1
To make the cabbage slaw, trim the bottom of the cabbage leaves. Cut the leaves in half and slice the bottom half into 1/4-inch-wide slices. Then cut the top leafy halves into 2-inch-wide pieces. Combine all the cabbage in a bowl and submerge in cold water to wash. Drain well and place in a bowl. Add the carrots, scallions, onion, and salt and mix well (the salt will remove excess moisture from the vegetables). Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, prepare the chicken. Using a sharp knife, separate the thighs from the drumstick by cutting between the joint. Cut the thigh in half lengthwise along the bone. Using a cleaver, chop the piece with the bone in half, resulting in 3 similar-size pieces. Also use the cleaver to cut the drumstick in half. Repeat with the remaining chicken. You should have 20 pieces of chicken when done. Place the chicken in a shallow pan and set aside.
Step 3
To prepare the marinade, combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour the marinade over the chicken and coat well using your hands. There should be just enough marinade to coat the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Step 4
To finish the slaw, rinse it in cold water three times and strain. Squeeze the slaw between your hands in small batches to remove all the excess water and place in a dry bowl; the cabbage should be wilted. Add the tobanjan, vinegar, soy sauce, nam pla, and chili oil. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 5
To finish the chicken, line a shallow tray with paper towels and set aside. Heat the vegetable oil (or as much as you need for a 3-inch depth) in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 325°F, or fill a deep fryer and set the temperature to 325°F. Place the potato starch in a large bowl and gently toss each piece of chicken until lightly coated. Carefully place half the chicken in the hot oil, being careful not to splatter. Cook until the chicken is nicely browned and begins to rise to the surface, 9 to 11 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oil using tongs and place on the paper towel–lined tray. Toss with the kosher salt while still hot. Repeat with the second batch of chicken.
Step 6
While the chicken is cooking, prepare 4 appetizer plates by placing 1/2 cup of the leafy greens in one corner. Add 1/3 cup slaw to the center of the plate and set 2 lime wedges next to it. Top with 5 pieces of hot chicken and serve immediately.
reusing frying oil
Step 7
The frying oil can be reused. When finished frying the chicken, allow it to sit at room temperature until it has cooled completely, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a sealable container and store in the refrigerator for several months.
