Japanese Chicken Nanban - Crispy Fried Chicken with Sweet & Sour Sauce and Tartar Sauce

Golden, crispy fried chicken lightly coated in a sweet and tangy vinegar sauce, topped with rich and creamy Japanese-style tartar sauce.
This beloved dish from Kyushu offers a perfect balance of crunch, flavor, and comfort in every bite.

The combination of crispy chicken, tangy sauce, and creamy tartar pairs perfectly with rice, making it a satisfying and comforting Japanese meal.

Cooking time : 30min
Prep : 10min
Budget : normal
Serve : 4 persons
Level : easy
Ingredients
Chicken:
  • 1 chicken breast
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Oil for deep frying
Batter:
  • 1 egg
  • 50 g all-purpose flour
  • 30 ml water
Coating:
  • Potato starch (or cornstarch), as needed
Sweet & Sour Sauce:
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp vinegar
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tbsp potato starch (or cornstarch)
Tartar Sauce:
  • 1 egg
  • 5 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1–2 tbsp relish (or chopped pickles)

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken

Slice the chicken breast diagonally into bite-sized pieces, cutting across the grain to keep the meat tender. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

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2. Make the batter

In a bowl, mix the egg, flour, and water until smooth.

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3. Coat the chicken

Dip the chicken into the batter, then lightly coat with potato starch.

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4. Fry


Heat oil to 170–180°C (340–350°F) and fry until lightly golden. Remove and let rest briefly, then fry again until crispy and golden brown.

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5. Drain the oil

Transfer the fried chicken to a rack lined with paper towels and let it stand upright slightly to allow excess oil to drain off.

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6. Make the sweet & sour sauce

In a small pan, combine soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, water, and potato starch. Heat gently, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.

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7. Make the tartar sauce

Boil the egg for about 10 minutes until firm, then peel. In a bowl, add mayonnaise and relish, then mash in the egg while mixing well.

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8. Serve

Plate the chicken, drizzle with the sweet and sour sauce, and top with tartar sauce.

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NOTE

In this recipe, we used chicken breast, but using chicken thighs will give you a juicier and richer flavor.
The egg-based tartar sauce, commonly enjoyed in Japan, is made simply with relish for a quick and easy homemade version.