🍱 Tori-Ten

Oita Prefecture is known for its frequent consumption of chicken. In 2019, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications conducted a survey of annual chicken consumption per household for prefectural capitals and government-designated cities, and Oita City ranked first in Japan. In Oita Prefecture, various chicken dishes such as "Tori-Meshi," a mixed rice dish with chicken, and "Tori-Jiru," a soup with chicken broth, have been eaten. Among them, “Karaage” is the most famous, but “Tori-Ten”, deep-fried chicken in Tempura Flour, is also widely popular throughout Oita Prefecture. In the days when chicken was an expensive ingredient, "Tori-Ten" was made at home with plenty of batter. The thick batter increased the amount of chicken so that everyone could enjoy the chicken, even if the family was large. “Tori-Ten" is said to have originated at the prefecture's first restaurant, Toyoken, in Beppu City. In the early Showa period, the fried chicken on the menu at the time was made with bones, which made it difficult for women to eat. So the dish was made by cutting boneless chicken thighs into bite-size pieces and arranging them in a Tempura style. The crispy and soft batter, which cooks faster than fried chicken, quickly became popular, and soon a variety of restaurants began to offer “Tori-Ten”.