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Apr. 12 2023
The Difference Between Zangi and Karaage 2023
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So, what’s the difference between zangi and karaage?
If you’re coming to Hokkaido, one of the many food recommendations you’ll get is to try zangi, Hokkaido’s very own version of fried chicken. It’s crispy, juicy, and delicious, but how is it different from the regular karaage that everyone already knows and loves? Well, we’re going to try and help you answer that question today.
When you ask someone from Hokkaido what the difference in taste between a zangi and karaage is, they’re most likely to tell you that they don’t know. However, they’ll be just as sure to reassure you that the two are different. However, if even the locals can’t tell the difference between the taste, then how are we to come to a conclusion?
Since we can’t conclude from the taste, we can look at this from another angle and figure out if there’s a difference in the way they are made. And, yes, the method used to make the two are indeed different. For karaage, the meat itself is not flavored before it is coated and fried. The zangi, however, is first marinated to make the meat flavorful before being covered in seasoned batter and fried. As such, you’re unlikely to need to add sauce to your zangi because it’s already bursting with flavor.
Besides the difference in the way the two are made, however, there really isn’t too much of a difference that you’ll be able to find. From asking around, most people from Hokkaido are enable to explain the difference, but the nostalgia from growing up with zangi and calling it such gives the food a special place in the heart of the locals, and of course, local cuisine.
Recommendations: 1.【Sappro Zangi Honpo】 （札幌ザンギ本舗） Address: 4 Chome Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido Hours: Mon-Sat, 4pm-4am; Sun, 4pm-5am Contact: +81-50-5595-8605 2.【Hiro-Chan’s Sapporo Salt Zangi Kita 24 Shop】 （ひろちゃんの札幌塩ザンギ 北24条店） Address: Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita, Kita 24 Jonishi, 3 Chome−1−2 1F Tsukumo Building (ツクモビル) Hours: Mon-Sun (Closed on Weds), 11.30am-9pm Contact: +81-11-737-0855
When you ask someone from Hokkaido what the difference in taste between a zangi and karaage is, they’re most likely to tell you that they don’t know. However, they’ll be just as sure to reassure you that the two are different. However, if even the locals can’t tell the difference between the taste, then how are we to come to a conclusion?
Since we can’t conclude from the taste, we can look at this from another angle and figure out if there’s a difference in the way they are made. And, yes, the method used to make the two are indeed different. For karaage, the meat itself is not flavored before it is coated and fried. The zangi, however, is first marinated to make the meat flavorful before being covered in seasoned batter and fried. As such, you’re unlikely to need to add sauce to your zangi because it’s already bursting with flavor.
Besides the difference in the way the two are made, however, there really isn’t too much of a difference that you’ll be able to find. From asking around, most people from Hokkaido are enable to explain the difference, but the nostalgia from growing up with zangi and calling it such gives the food a special place in the heart of the locals, and of course, local cuisine.
Recommendations: 1.【Sappro Zangi Honpo】 （札幌ザンギ本舗） Address: 4 Chome Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido Hours: Mon-Sat, 4pm-4am; Sun, 4pm-5am Contact: +81-50-5595-8605 2.【Hiro-Chan’s Sapporo Salt Zangi Kita 24 Shop】 （ひろちゃんの札幌塩ザンギ 北24条店） Address: Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita, Kita 24 Jonishi, 3 Chome−1−2 1F Tsukumo Building (ツクモビル) Hours: Mon-Sun (Closed on Weds), 11.30am-9pm Contact: +81-11-737-0855
