Fried chicken has been trending for quite some time in LA. One of the first to get recognition was Gus’ Fried Chicken. Soon after, we started seeing many variations such as hot fried chicken from Hotville Fried Chicken, Honey Dress (Korean), and Tokyo Fried Chicken. Tenkatori is an award-winning Japanese karaage restaurant open on Sawtelle Blvd in Japan Town.
The name tenkatori is a double entendre. It can mean, peerless (the best) chicken or “obtaining peerlessness (the best)”. With that in mind, it was Tenkatori Japan’s goal to provide the best karaage in Japan. They draw a big fanfare when they opened a stall in Marukai Market (now Tokyo Central) in Gardena. Their newest location is located directly above Daiso just north of Olympic Blvd.
In Southern California, I’m accustomed to having karaage chicken as large chunks of chicken thighs coated with potato flour and fried. Potato flour makes the exterior of the chicken extremely crunchy and satisfying. It also provides an ideal textured surface for dipping sauces. In addition to traditional karaage, Tenaktori offers popcorn chicken, bone-in chicken, and gizzards.
If you visit Tenkatori, I recommend selecting the Karaage Bento ($9.95). It includes regular and marinated karaage chicken, Japanese spaghetti, steamed rice, green salad, and takuan (Japanese marinated radish). The bento is a great lunch offering.
Tori Soboro ($9.50) is a Japanese comfort dish. The word Soboro refers to ground meat, fish, or eggs cooked into fine, crumbled pieces; tori means chicken in Japanese. The chicken is typically seasoned with ginger, sake, rice wine, and soy sauce and served over steamed rice. The Potato Salad ($3.50) was tasty but unusual because it was mashed.
Non-alcoholic drinks like bottled water, soft drinks, and San Pellegrino are available.
Tenkatori is located on the second floor of Sawtelle Place on Sawtelle Blvd, just north of Olympic Blvd. Free parking is available. They also have locations in Gardena and Costa Mesa.
Tenkatori, 2130 Sawtelle Blvd #210B, Los Angeles, CA 90025; tenkatoriusa.com