Introducing Karaage Ichiban

Hello there!

I’m Binako, a Sarukuma writer who’s been munching cherry tomatoes nonstop because I’m starving!

Today I’m featuring Karaage Ichiban, a beloved Japanese fried chicken (karaage) shop located in Yokota, Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture.

This bright orange-signed shop draws a wonderfully diverse crowd, from local homemakers picking up dinner to construction workers grabbing a quick bite.

There’s even a vending machine right next to the shop, so you can grab a drink to go with your karaage.

Convenient parking is available right out front.

The interior is cozy and compact, with a self-service water station tucked at the back — a charming little Japanese touch.

They also sell their signature karaage sauce in bottles for 60 yen each.
A karaage shop’s house sauce is guaranteed to be amazing — trust me!

Must-Try Menu Items at Karaage Ichiban

Here’s a look at the menu at Karaage Ichiban.
No.1 Bestseller — Soy Sauce Karaage: 230 yen / 100g
Salt Karaage: 230 yen / 100g
Salted Chicken Wing Karaage: 120 yen each
Chicken Nanban (sweet vinegar fried chicken with tartar sauce): 360 yen / serving
Tori-ten (Japanese-style chicken tempura): 360 yen / serving
Sunazuri (chicken gizzards): 300 yen / serving

They also offer bento boxes, perfect for grabbing on the go for a road-trip lunch or picnic.You can order by yen amount or by piece count —
there are several easy ways to customize your order!

They even share recipes for using leftover karaage the next day, which is a lifesaver for busy families (*´Д｀)

This time, I picked up the salt karaage and the soy sauce karaage to try!

The pieces are seriously generous in size — incredibly satisfying to bite into.I was so hungry, and the irresistible aroma of fresh-fried chicken was simply too much — I confess, I devoured them right in the car!

The salt seasoning is just right and the meat is so juicy that you genuinely can’t stop reaching for more.

Next up, the No.1 bestseller — the soy sauce karaage!

That just-fried, crispy golden coating is absolute perfection…

The soy flavor is deeply infused into every bite, and the contrast between that crackling-crisp coating and the tender, juicy meat is so good it’s almost dangerous!

The skin is wonderfully crunchy too — you’ll find yourself hunting for the crispiest pieces.

There’s truly nothing like karaage straight from the fryer!

And with their leftover-karaage recipes, why not throw your own karaage party? (*´Д｀)

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Frequently Asked Questions

* Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your visit.