How to Order Fried Chicken in Japanese (Without Accidentally Asking for a Live Chicken)

April 28, 2025

Have you ever found yourself in Japan, stomach growling, eyes darting around for the nearest food spot, and suddenly realizing you have no idea how to ask for fried chicken? Don’t worry—I got you.

Ordering food in a foreign language is like navigating a minefield of potential misunderstandings. Say one word wrong, and instead of crispy, golden fried chicken, you might end up with raw squid or an awkward stare from the cashier. But fear not, fellow fried chicken enthusiast! By the time you finish reading this, you’ll be confidently ordering karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken) like a pro.

First Things First: What’s Fried Chicken in Japanese?

Before you even step into a restaurant, let’s get the terminology down. In Japan, fried chicken generally falls into two categories:

カラアゲ (Karaage) – Small, bite-sized pieces of chicken marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then deep-fried to golden perfection.
フライドチキン (Furaido Chikin) – Japanese katakana-ized version of fried chicken, often used for Western-style fried chicken, like KFC.

You might also hear toriniku no age-mono (鳥肉の揺げ物), which literally means “deep-fried chicken,” but this is less common unless you’re being extra fancy.

Scenario 1: Ordering at a Fast-Food Chain (a.k.a. Playing It Safe)

Let’s say you wander into a conveniently familiar fast-food spot—like KFC or a local karaage shop. Here’s a simple way to order:

🗣 “Karaage o hitotsu kudasai!”
(One order of karaage, please!)

Or, if you want to sound even more polite:

🗣 “Karaage o hitotsu onegaishimasu!”
(One order of karaage, if you’d be so kind!)

Want more than one serving? Just change hitotsu (one) to:

Futatsu (二つ) – Two servings
Mittsu (三つ) – Three servings
Yottsu (四つ) – Four servings

(Side note: If you order too much fried chicken, don’t worry. Future-you will thank you.)

Scenario 2: Ordering at an Izakaya (a.k.a. Where Things Get Fun)

Picture this: You’re sitting in a bustling, slightly chaotic izakaya (Japanese pub), surrounded by friends, trying to balance a glass of beer in one hand while navigating the menu with the other. How do you gracefully order fried chicken?

Try this:

🗣 “Kono mise no osusume no karaage wa nan desu ka?”
(What’s the recommended karaage at this place?)

This not only makes you sound impressively fluent, but it also lets the staff suggest their best dish. (And if there’s a secret menu item, you just unlocked it.)

Once you’ve got your recommendation, you can confidently follow up with:

🗣 “Jaa, sore o hitotsu kudasai!”
(Alright, I’ll take one of those!)

Want to add some spicy mayo? Try this:

🗣 “Mayo tsuki de onegaishimasu!”
(With mayo, please!)

See? You’re already a fried chicken-ordering legend.

Scenario 3: Ordering at a Konbini (a.k.a. The Late-Night Lifesaver)

Ah, konbini (convenience stores)—Japan’s gift to humanity. Whether it’s 2 PM or 2 AM, these magical places have hot, ready-to-eat fried chicken waiting for you.

Walk up to the cashier and point to the golden-fried goodness behind the glass. Then say:

🗣 “Sono furaido chikin o kudasai!”
(I’ll take that fried chicken, please!)

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even ask:

🗣 “Osusume wa dore desu ka?”
(Which one do you recommend?)

Bonus Tips to Sound Like a Fried Chicken Connoisseur

Wanna level up your fried chicken ordering game? Here are some extra phrases:

“Karaage wa saikou desu!” (Karaage is the best!)
“Meccha oishii desu!” (This is super delicious!)
“Motto tabetai!” (I want more!)
“Otsumami ni saikou!” (Perfect as a snack!)

What NOT to Say (Unless You Want to Confuse Everyone)

🚫 “Tori o kudasai!”
(Give me a bird!) – Unless you want an actual live chicken staring at you, avoid this one.

🚫 “Karaage no nama o kudasai!”
(Raw fried chicken, please!) – Let’s not risk food poisoning, shall we?

🚫 “Furaido chikin no sashimi wa arimasu ka?”
(Do you have fried chicken sashimi?) – No. Just no.

Final Thoughts: You’re Now a Fried Chicken Ordering Pro

So there you have it. You’re now fully equipped to confidently walk into any Japanese eatery and secure a delicious plate of fried chicken without confusion, awkwardness, or accidental live poultry purchases.

Still nervous? Just remember: