Introduction
“Why on earth would I eat Kentucky Fried Chicken in Tokyo?” This is what most tourists think. You came for Sushi and Ramen, not the Colonel. But here is the truth: KFC in Japan is different. It is cleaner, the meat is often higher quality (domestic chicken), and it has a bizarre cultural status that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. With over 1,100 stores (ranking 3rd or 4th among burger/chicken chains), you will see Colonel Sanders everywhere. Here is why you should try it.
👁️ Kajino’s Eye: The “Colonel” Phenomenon
To be honest, I am not a fan of fried chicken. I rarely set foot in these shops. However, as a Tokyo local for over 50 years, I cannot ignore the cultural impact of KFC. In Japan, Colonel Sanders is not just a logo; he is a local celebrity. You will see his life-size statue standing in front of almost every store. He dresses up as Santa Claus in December, wears a Samurai armor in May (Children’s Day), and sometimes wears a Happi coat for summer festivals. Even if, like me, you don’t eat chicken, the sight of Japanese people lining up for hours on Christmas Eve to buy a bucket of chicken is a cultural spectacle you have to see to believe.
The Big Mystery: “Kentucky for Christmas” 🎄
In the West, KFC is fast food. In Japan, it is the traditional Christmas Dinner.
- The Origin: A marketing campaign in 1974 called “Kentucky for Christmas” (Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii) falsely but successfully convinced Japan that Americans eat fried chicken for Christmas.
- The Reality: Today, millions of Japanese families pre-order their “Party Barrel” (Bucket) weeks in advance. If you walk by a KFC on December 24th, you will see a massive queue. It is the busiest day of the year.
The Menu: Japan’s Top 10 Favorites 🍗
Japanese KFC menus are different. Burgers are called “Sandwiches” (Sand), and the sides are unique. Here is the ranking voted by Japanese fans:
- Original Chicken: The classic. Japanese fans swear it tastes fresher and less greasy than in other countries.
- Wafu (Japanese Style) Chicken Katsu Burger: Exclusive to Japan. A soy-sauce based teriyaki glaze on a chicken cutlet with shredded cabbage. A must-try.
- Chicken Fillet Burger: The standard chicken burger.
- Colonel Crispy: Boneless, crunchy strips. Garlic and soy sauce flavor.
- Biscuit: Warning! This is NOT an American savory biscuit. It is a donut-shaped pastry, similar to a scone. It comes with maple syrup. It is a dessert.
- Boneless Kentucky: Easy to eat, heavy on the spice.
- Fried Potatoes: Japanese KFC fries are usually thick-cut spirals or wedges, not thin shoestrings.
- Red Hot Chicken: A seasonal legend. When this spicy chicken is released, fans go crazy.
- Teriyaki Twister: Tortilla wrap with Japanese teriyaki sauce.
- Pepper Mayo Twister: Tortilla wrap with black pepper mayonnaise.
⚾ Trivia: The Curse of the Colonel (Kajino’s Memory)
This is a true story that every Japanese baseball fan knows.
- 1985: The Hanshin Tigers (Osaka’s team) won the championship. Fans went crazy and jumped into the Dotonbori River.
- The Incident: They didn’t have a lookalike for the star player, Randy Bass (an American with a beard). So, they stole a statue of Colonel Sanders from a nearby KFC and threw him into the dirty river.
- The Curse: Since that day, the team entered a massive losing streak for decades. People called it “The Curse of the Colonel.”
- The Discovery: In 2009, divers found the statue in the river, missing his glasses and left hand.
- The End? Finally, in 2023, the Tigers won the Japan Series (National Championship) for the first time in 38 years. The curse is officially broken!
How to Order Like a Pro
- Parts Request: In Japan, you can politely ask for your preferred part (Drum, Rib, Keel, Wing, Thigh). They can’t promise, but they will try to accommodate you if stock allows.
- “Dramu kudasai” (Drumstick please)
- “Saai kudasai” (Thigh please – juiciest part)
- Clean Up: In Japan, you must separate your trash. Burnable (paper/bones), Plastics, and Liquids (leftover drink) go in different bins.
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