On of my go-to items for lunch is chicken karaage. I just never get tired of the stuff. After returning from Japan I decided to do the rounds and do a short comparison of Karaage and Chicken Nanban(vinegar sauce), commonly served with tartar sauce in these parts. I'm leaving out Taisho and Yakyudori since I recently did a comparison between the two places. So here's how they line up in my opinion.
1 - Wa Dining Okan:
A bit surprising since, I'd been underwhelmed by lunch here at times. The fried chicken with vinegar and tartar sauce was quite good, if a bit rich.
They do have regular chicken karaage on the menu, but I found that the batter on this is different, more crunchy and light. The tartar sauce isn't too sour which helps things.
Wa Dining Okan
3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
2 - Izakaya Sakura:
Sometimes a bit inconsistent, as I mentioned in a karaage comparison post back in 2011.
Still, this was crisp, light, though you really had to use that tsuyu to give it some flavor.
Wish they'd pump up the flavor a bit more, but this isn't a bad choice.
Izakaya Sakura
3904 Convoy St Ste 121
San Diego, CA 92111
3 - Ramen Yamadaya:
In spite of not being particularly happy with the ramen here recently, I gave the "Chicken Tartar", a version of Tori Nanban a go. I liked having the tartar sauce on the side as it was really mayo heavy, so a little went a long way. The chicken seemed to be fried a bit too "hard", but that turned out to be a good thing as is stayed crunchy for the whole meal. Love the vinegar tones with a touch of tartar sauce. As I noted in my post back in 2012, there a nice hint of ginger in this which I enjoy as well.
Ramen Yamadaya
4706 Clairement Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117
4 - RakiRaki:
All the posters said "best Japanese Fried Chicken in San Diego".
Of course, I say, most "self promoted hype machine in San Diego". It seems like this place sometimes just throws stuff up on the walls to see what sticks. The flavor, with a hint of curry is indeed unique, but the pieces were huge......very ponderous with chopsticks. It was kind of dry and a lot off the batter had flaked off during the cooking process. The portion size was quite generous, but the Tsukemen is preferred........though let's say that might be the best in San Diego by default.
RakiRaki Ramen and Tsukemen
4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
5 - Tajima:
Usually, consistency is good thing.
But being last in two fried chicken comparisons....maybe not so much. Gummy, lacking in flavor.....to be honest, I'd rather get cold case-bento Karaage from Nijiya. Nothing's changed from my last set of visits nearly a year ago. Consistency.....
Tajima Japanese Restaurant
4681 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
Hey Kirk, how about Yakyudori? I really like theirs.
Posted by: Jinxieats | Sunday, 15 March 2015 at 12:08 PM
Hi Jinxi - I didn't include them because I just wrote about the Karaage in this post: http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2015/02/yakitori-story-part-4-yakyudori-versus-taisho.html
FWIW, it's our current favorite.
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 15 March 2015 at 03:43 PM
karaage...love! glad there are more places there that serve good karaage than bad:)
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 15 March 2015 at 10:32 PM
Never been a fan of Karaage but I might have to try it again or because I never found a place that made it good.
Posted by: nhbilly | Monday, 16 March 2015 at 05:05 AM
That's true Kat!
Hi Billy - I think you need to find a good version.....it can be addictive.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 16 March 2015 at 06:26 AM
Hi Kirk! I've been a longtime reader but have never commented.
This time though your karaage evaluations were completely spot on with mine so I wanted to comment. Wa Okan also makes (made?) a version with the scallion sauce, which is a good alternative when you're sick of the tartar. In my opinion, their buta kakuni is one of their weakest dishes that I never order...
On a side note, on my (infrequent) visits to Tajima I see many orders of karaage so I'm always more than a bit surprised...
I think Rakiraki is completely overhyped in all aspects - the last time I went back was 2-3 years ago. Yamadaya's tsukemen is better I feel, but on my recent visits they have had SERIOUS consistency problems regarding the taste/mouthfeel of their soup.
Posted by: Daryl | Monday, 16 March 2015 at 10:59 AM
Haven't been in a while but I enjoy the karaage at Masa.
Posted by: Junichi | Monday, 16 March 2015 at 11:40 AM
Hi Daryl - Thanks so much for reading! And also for taking the time out to comment. I think the Tsukemen at RR has gotten better, Yamadaya's version is too salty and thin for my tastes. This might have been amplified having had Tsukemen at Rokurinsha. Thanks again for dropping by!
Hi Junichi - If you're referring to Masa's Fried Chicken. It was great back in the Teriyaki Cowboy/Early Izakaya Masa Days - circa 2006-2007. The place seemed to have jumped the shark a bit. During my last couple of visits, it has no longer been crisp and that distinctive flavor (which I think is from Kim Chi base) has been toned down a lot. Too bad, because that chicken and the chukka kurage were the only two items I really enjoyed there.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 16 March 2015 at 04:43 PM
I last had Tsukemen at RR about 6 months after they opened, so I guess I will try it again. The parking is a significant hurdle though :(
Heard good things about Rokurinsha - heading over to Tokyo in April/May and hope to try that out!
Posted by: Daryl | Tuesday, 17 March 2015 at 12:58 AM
Absolutely the worst parking lot on Convoy Daryl. Though others are catching up! We ate at the Rokurinsha on Ramen Street in Tokyo Station. I liked it; it was a bit much for the Missus.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 17 March 2015 at 06:36 AM
Hi Kirk, Thanks for this article! I was going to request a review of karaage. How is it at Taisho? Meant to try it, but we tried many of your other recommendations. Nijiya's cold karaage is one of my guilty pleasures--I usually eat it in the car on the way home.
btw, went to Kazumi in his new location. Amazing sushi. Uni soup seemed like a different recipe, more broth-like, less richness, although still very good. No liquor license yet.
Posted by: Sang | Tuesday, 17 March 2015 at 11:19 AM
Hi Sang - Right now Taisho is a favorite of ours. We usually go once a week. I think you'll like it. Good to hear Kazumi is doing well.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 17 March 2015 at 02:18 PM
Kirk, have you tried the Jidori Karaage at Yokohama Koubou? I've had mostly good luck there with the exception of the last visit. Maybe a change of oil was needed?
Posted by: LL | Thursday, 19 March 2015 at 02:20 AM
Hi LL - I've only had the nankotsu, which I thought was the item they did the best. I've never been too impressed with Koubou, but now that Yakyudori seems to be sliding maybe it's time for a revisit! Thanks for commenting.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 19 March 2015 at 06:30 AM