**A Delicious Journey Through Hokkaido’s Unique Chicken Dishes**

*Japan’s regional chicken cuisine is as rich as it is diverse.*

Introduction

Japan is home to a vast variety of chicken dishes, with each region offering its own distinctive flavors and cooking styles. This diversity ensures that even seasoned food lovers never get tired of exploring what the country has to offer.

In this article, we head north to Hokkaido, Japan’s largest prefecture and a treasure trove of unique culinary experiences. Let’s discover some of Hokkaido’s most beloved chicken dishes.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries "Our Local Cuisine"

Zangi – Hokkaido’s Bold Take on Karaage

In Hokkaido, what’s commonly known as karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken) is called zangi.

The key difference? Zangi is known for its bold, flavorful seasoning.
Chicken is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, egg, sake, ginger, and garlic before being deep-fried to a rich golden brown. In some cases, the fried chicken is then dipped into additional sauces—recipes for which vary by home and restaurant.

Interestingly, “zangi” is also used to refer to other fried foods like octopus (tako-zangi) and salmon (sake-zangi).
In Kushiro, the city believed to be the birthplace of zangi, the dish is often served at local festivals and events.
Today, zangi is a staple on izakaya menus across Hokkaido and is popular as a rich-flavored companion to alcohol. Many specialty shops also offer zangi as takeout, making it easy to enjoy at home.

Bibai Yakitori – Chicken on a Skewer

Bibai, a city located between Sapporo and Asahikawa, was once a flourishing coal mining town.
One of the local favorites from those days is still widely loved today: Bibai yakitori.

This dish refers to skewers (motsu-kushi) that combine various chicken parts—including the head, skin, internal organs, and even undeveloped eggs—grilled together with onion.
Unlike typical yakitori, which often uses green onion, Bibai yakitori uses regular onion due to the area's strong agricultural roots and the abundance of high-quality, affordable onions.

Bibai yakitori is considered the city’s soul food, enjoyed by everyone from children to the elderly.

Shinko-yaki – Asahikawa’s Bold & Simple Classic

In Asahikawa, shinko-yaki is a hearty, beloved local dish.
This dish features half of a young chicken, wings included, grilled simply and boldly.

The term “shinko” originally referred to a young gizzard shad (a type of fish), but in Asahikawa, it came to represent young chicken or fish.
Thus, shinko-yaki is the grilled half-body of a young chicken. In contrast, grilled adult chicken is known as sanzoku-yaki, to distinguish between the two.

Each restaurant has its own special sauce or seasoning, and records suggest the dish has been enjoyed since just after World War II.

Bibai no Torimeshi – Simple, Soulful Chicken Rice

Bibai’s chicken rice, or Bibai no torimeshi, is a simple yet flavorful dish that remains a part of home cooking to this day.

The main ingredients are just rice, stir-fried chicken, and organ meats, seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, and sake, and cooked together.
Because the recipe is so straightforward, the deep umami of the chicken truly stands out, creating an aroma and richness that fills the bowl.

In Bibai, you can find this dish at restaurants, diners, and even in the prepared food sections of supermarkets.

And There's More...

Wakadori Hanshinage (Otaru)
A soul food of Otaru, this dish features half of a young chicken deep-fried whole for a juicy, crispy bite.
Muroran Yakitori (Muroran City)
Despite the name "yakitori" (which usually implies chicken), this local dish is made with pork, skewered alternately with onion.
It’s enjoyed with a sweet sauce and spicy mustard, creating a unique regional flavor.

Conclusion

From deep-fried delights to skewered surprises and hearty rice dishes, Hokkaido’s chicken cuisine showcases the region’s rich culinary creativity.
Whether you’re exploring the city streets of Asahikawa or relaxing in a Kushiro izakaya, don’t miss the chance to try these local specialties.
It’s a delicious reminder that in Japan, chicken is never just chicken.

Discover the many uniquely Japanese ways to enjoy chicken 2<Hokkaido>

A Delicious Journey Through Hokkaido’s Unique Chicken Dishes