Chicken tatsuta facts for kids
Chicken Tatsuta is a special kind of fried chicken burger from Japan. It's a popular item sold by McDonald's Japan. This burger gets its name from a unique Japanese cooking style called Tatsuta-age.
What is Tatsuta-age?
Tatsuta-age (pronounced Tah-tsoo-tah-ah-geh) is a Japanese way of cooking that involves deep frying. First, meat or fish is marinated to give it lots of flavor. After marinating, it's lightly coated with a special kind of starch, usually Japanese potato starch (called katakuri-ko). If potato starch isn't available, corn starch can also be used. This coating makes the outside super crispy when it's fried.
How is Tatsuta-age made?
The process is quite simple but makes a big difference in taste and texture.
- Marinating: The meat or fish soaks in a flavorful sauce, often made with soy sauce, ginger, and sake. This makes it tender and tasty.
- Coating: After marinating, the food is lightly dusted with starch. This creates a thin, crispy layer when fried.
- Frying: Finally, the coated food is deep-fried until it's golden brown and cooked through.
Other Tatsuta Dishes
While Chicken Tatsuta is a burger, the Tatsuta-age cooking method isn't just for chicken! You can find other delicious dishes made this way too.
- Pork: Sometimes, pork is prepared using the Tatsuta-age method.
- Mackerel: Fish like mackerel can also be cooked Tatsuta-style, making it crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
- Whale: In some traditional Japanese dishes, whale meat was also prepared as Tatsuta-age.
Tatsuta dishes are very versatile. They can be served as a main meal, or even as part of a lunchbox. The Chicken Tatsuta burger is a great example of how this cooking style can be used in a sandwich or bun.
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