In the izakaya of Hokkaido , there is a food that is deeply rooted in the soul of every Taoist people - ザンギ (ZANGI), which is Hokkaido fried chicken. How common is
ZANGI in Hokkaido? That is, in Seicomart, a unique convenience store in Hokkaido, ZANGI is always the star product.
Fried chicken may be divided into many types, KFC fried chicken, American fried chicken, Korean fried chicken, domestic fried chicken fillet, large chicken steak, Japanese Tangyang fried chicken...etc. , fried chicken is really loved by everyone. But for Hokkaido Fried Chicken ZANGI, in addition to Hokkaido’s dairy products, Genghis Khan, and ramen, this is another delicacy that must be checked in.
However, this is the first time I ate ZANGI at Seicomart. My question is that it is indeed much better than ordinary Tangyang fried chicken, but I can’t tell what makes it so delicious.
Every time I go to gourmet restaurants and izakayas across Hokkaido and order a ZANGI, I feel like... Sorry, I have a problem with my tongue. It does taste good, but what is the difference? ?
Until, I came to Kushiro and accidentally walked into this ZANGI specialty store.
Kushiro is the place where ZANGI was "born".
html More than 150 years ago, Mr. Kuwahara Kiyoshi, the owner of "Torisomatsu" in Kushiro, pioneered the Hokkaido fried chicken ZANGI. Different from ordinary Tangyang fried chicken, the chicken is marinated in advance, added with some sweet and spicy soy sauce, and then fried. The reason why it is named ZANGI is also related to China. The pronunciation of "fried chicken" is translated into Japanese transliteration as (ザーチー／ザーギー), and finally it became "ザ『ン』ギ".
However, this time by accident and chance, I did not go to "Torizen", but chose "Torizen", a Hokkaido fried chicken specialty store very close to the hotel.
Before going out, I asked my photographer friend: This restaurant may only serve fried chicken. I guess... we may have to change to another restaurant for a late-night snack after eating... right?
Sure enough, after opening the "Niaoshan" store door, a fat Japanese uncle greeted us with the first words: Welcome! And the second sentence is: Our store only sells fried chicken, not other rice, does that matter?
Of course, we are here to eat fried chicken.
The shop is not big, with a small bar, a small Kang table, and two older uncles, one working in the kitchen and the other greeting the customers.
The uncle who greeted the guests was very enthusiastic and asked us where we were from.
I said I am from Beijing, but now I live in Kyoto.
Uncle: Wow! Beijing! Eh? I have a friend in Shanghai who has eaten in the restaurant before.
The chat box is also opened in this way.
After several rounds of chatting, I found out that the man in charge of the dishes at "Niaoshan" turned out to be an apprentice with Mr. Kiyoshi Kuwahara, the owner of "Niaoshan", and then opened this store by himself. The inheritance of "Niaoshan" is "Niaosong" The most authentic ZANGI taste. It has been more than 40 years since the store opened.
Could it be that I accidentally got into such an incredible store? ! Have you tasted the hand-crafted skills of the founder of ZANGI? !
While chatting, ZANGI was served, divided into bone-in and bone-free. The fat uncle eats "Amway" in the authentic way, with a little soy sauce, a little pepper, and ZANGI with the seasoning. The outer skin doesn't have a thick flour flavor, but it completely wraps the chicken, giving it a slightly crispy texture.The chicken inside has completely locked-in gravy and a marinated flavor, which is just right!
Ah! ! ! This is ZANGI, it’s completely different from what I’ve had before.
with a plate of edamame and a glass of beer. If you are not in a hurry, chat with the two uncles and eat freshly made hot ZANGI. Snow is falling outside in winter. Outside the store is the biting cold wind in Kushiro at night, but inside there is hot fried chicken, hearty laughter, and chatter...
As I write this, I seem to be able to make up my mind and come here next time I go to Kushiro. Store scene.
Some of the delicacies during the trip that can remain in my heart may not be the Michelin tires, but small and old shops that are different from each other but have a human touch... They are like waiting for you. Old friends on your journey can make you feel the warmth of a foreign land.
