Discovering Shio Tebasaki Minami

Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Ginjiro, writer for SaruKuma.

Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Shio Tebasaki Minami, a specialty salt-seasoned chicken wing shop in Suizenji, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, with roots going back to 1975 (Showa 50)!
50 years of history?! Over 20,000 Instagram followers? A menu featuring nothing but chicken wings?
As a self-confessed chicken wing lover, just hearing this had my heart racing.
Since this is a takeout-only shop, the exterior is refreshingly simple — just a pickup window facing the street. But thanks to the large signboard on the building, you really can’t miss it as you walk by.
Even glancing at the menu board outside, it’s clear: salt-seasoned chicken wings are truly the only thing on offer.
Yet the shop itself looks remarkably clean and modern — certainly not what you’d expect from a 50-year-old establishment.
I started to wonder if I had the right place, so I asked the owner directly. He explained:
“We originally started as a yakitori restaurant in the city center. When we decided to close that shop, we wanted to preserve the salt-seasoned chicken wings that our regular customers loved so much. So on May 14, 2022, we held a grand opening as a specialty shop dedicated entirely to this dish.”

The Pride of a Former Yakitori Master!
Even during the yakitori days, these salt-seasoned chicken wings (shio tebasaki) were the standout favorite, and the recipe hasn’t changed one bit since the very beginning.
Each day, the shop sources whichever Japanese-bred chicken is in peak condition, so the variety changes daily. On the day I visited, they were using herb-fed chicken.
It was a weekday, but they had already prepared 11 kilograms.
On weekends, that number climbs to a whopping 20 kilograms!
While the breed varies day to day, one thing never changes — they exclusively use domestic Japanese chicken.

Recommended Menu at Shio Tebasaki Minami

Chicken wings that even children can enjoy with confidence — and that taste absolutely amazing — that’s the philosophy here.
This belief is why the shop proudly insists on “never using frozen chicken!”
And the wings themselves? Seasoned with nothing but additive-free salt — pure, simple, and made with peace of mind in every bite.
They’re fried to a perfect crisp at 200°C, achieving a beautifully golden, lightly crackling finish — what you might call true Japanese-style “sumage” (plain-fried) chicken wings, with no batter at all.

How to eat them like a pro:
1) Hold the wing from both ends and snap it cleanly in two.
2) Take the meatier half, slip out the bone, then pop the boneless meat into your mouth — it slides right off!

I’d been told this technique, but honestly… does the bone really come out that easily?
And what’s this about the meat just “sliding off”?
Skeptical but curious, I gave it a try.
And sure enough — the bone slipped out, and the meat truly slid right off!

The way the meat falls clean from the bone is incredible — it’s literally one perfect bite.

This kind of texture is impossible to achieve with frozen meat — it’s a testament to the shop’s unwavering commitment to using only fresh, never-frozen domestic chicken.
Because the meat isn’t marinated, the surface stays crisp while the inside remains incredibly juicy.
The salt seasoning is wonderfully balanced — never overpowering.

Was chicken always this juicy?
Was chicken always this delicious?
These wings genuinely make you ask those questions. Before you know it, you’ve polished off several in a row.

The salt level is so gentle that I’d actually recommend these as a snack for kids, too.

That said, if you’re planning to pair them with a cold beer or sake, you might find yourself wanting just a touch more saltiness.
Not to worry — the shop has you covered.
To let you customize the saltiness to your liking, they generously offer a free packet of additive-free original salt, blended in-house with several spices.
Unlike the pure white refined salt you might be used to, this one has a slight beige hue, and the small packets come generously filled.
Any leftover salt makes a fantastic seasoning for home cooking too — so don’t forget to take a packet home!
I sprinkled on about this much, and the flavor instantly tightened — transforming the wings into the kind of perfect drinking snack that has you reaching for a cold drink.

The shop is takeout-only and closes once they sell out for the day, but you can also place reservations through Instagram or by phone.
These chicken wings are pure happiness in every bite — a delicious tradition lovingly preserved across generations.
If you’re visiting Kumamoto, do yourself a favor and try the wings at “Shio Tebasaki Minami” — the salt-seasoned chicken wing specialists!
Gochisosama deshita — thank you for the wonderful meal!

◇◆◇ Pricing (tax included) ◇◆◇
5 wings — 600 yen
10 wings — 1,200 yen
15 wings — 1,800 yen ※ 600 yen for every additional 5 wings

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