Main Course · Lunch · Japanese ·

Japanese Chicken Karaage with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce

Name: Japanese Chicken Karaage with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 500g chicken thighs, boneless and cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons sake; 2 tablespoons mirin; 1 teaspoon grated ginger; 1 cup potato starch or cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; Vegetable oil, for deep-frying; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon sesame oil

A delightful Japanese dish featuring juicy chicken pieces coated with a crispy crust, complemented by a flavorful garlic soy dipping sauce.

4.1(824 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·February 1, 2026

Japanese Chicken Karaage with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Marinade

For the Coating

For the Frying

For the Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 577 kcal
Protein: 26.5 g
Carbs: 40.25 g
Fat: 32.5 g
Fiber: 0 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2309 kcal
Protein: 106 g
Carbs: 161 g
Fat: 130 g
Fiber: 0 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F
500g chicken thighs, boneless and cut into bite-sized pieces	1100	100	0	80
2 tablespoons soy sauce	20	2	1	0
2 tablespoons sake	25	0	3	0
2 tablespoons mirin	80	0	11	0
1 teaspoon grated ginger	5	0	1	0
1 cup potato starch or cornstarch	572	0	134	0
1/2 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0
1/2 teaspoon pepper	3	0	1	0
Vegetable oil, for deep-frying	400	0	0	45
1/4 cup soy sauce	35	4	3	0
1 tablespoon rice vinegar	0	0	0	0
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar	24	0	6	0
1 clove garlic, minced	5	0	1	0
1 teaspoon sesame oil	40	0	0	5

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Combine marinade ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, sake, mirin, and grated ginger.
2
Coat chicken
Add the chicken pieces and toss well to coat.
3
Marinate
Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Tip: Ensure the chicken is marinated thoroughly for an authentic flavor.

Preparing the Dipping Sauce

1
Mix sauce ingredients
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
2
Add garlic and oil
Stir in the minced garlic and sesame oil.
3
Let flavors meld
Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
Tip: For a spicier kick, add a dash of chili oil to the dipping sauce.

How to Make Japanese Chicken Karaage with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Coating the Chicken
Drain any excess marinade and pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece in potato starch, ensuring an even coating.
2
Heating the Oil
In a deep-frying pan or wok, heat vegetable oil to 170°C (340°F).
3
Frying the Chicken
Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch.