Chicken Nanban, popular throughout the country, is a popular dish that is often eaten not only in restaurants and school lunches, but also at home. Chicken Nanban originated in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture. There are many different types of Chicken Nanban in Nobeoka City.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Chicken Nanban.

Characteristics of Chicken Nanban

Chicken Nanban is made by cutting chicken into bite-sized pieces, coating it in flour, then coating it in beaten egg and frying it in oil. It is then marinated in a sweet and sour sauce to add flavor, and it is complete.

Unlike fried chicken, it does not use potato starch, and unlike chicken cutlet, it does not use breadcrumbs. By coating the chicken in flour and then mixing it with egg, it is easier for the chicken to absorb the sweet and sour sauce, making it more palatable.

Chicken nanban was originally made with chicken breast, but now thigh meat, which is fatty and filling, is also popular. Chicken nanban made with chicken breast meat has a refreshing taste, while chicken nanban made with chicken thigh meat is juicy and filling, and each has its own merits.

In Nobeoka, where chicken nanban originated, there are two types of chicken nanban: a simple chicken nanban served with just sweet and sour sauce, and chicken nanban served with tartar sauce. Although chicken nanban is typically served with tartar sauce, in some areas of Shikoku it is served with aurora sauce.

The origin of the name Chicken Nanban

There are various theories about the origin of the name Chicken Nanban. It is said that Chicken Nanban was originally called "fried chicken marinated in sweet and sour sauce." At some point, it came to be called Chicken Nanban.

The "Nanban" in Chicken Nanban originally refers to the Portuguese who came to Japan during the Sengoku period and their culture. Nanbanzuke was part of the food culture of those who came to Japan. Nanbanzuke is a dish made by marinating ingredients in a sweet and sour sauce containing chili peppers. It is said that the dish came to be called Chicken Nanban because the chicken was marinated in the sweet and sour sauce.

There are two restaurants where Chicken Nanban originated

Chicken nanban was created around 1965, and is said to have originated from two restaurants: "Oshoku-no-mise Naotochan," which serves chicken nanban without tartar sauce, and "Ogura," which serves chicken nanban made with breast meat with tartar sauce.

"Naochan Restaurant"

When Naoto Goto, the founder of "Oshoku no Mise Naochan," was training at the Western restaurant "London" in Nobeoka City, he ate the staff meal of fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce. This prompted him to open a chicken nanban restaurant.

The chicken nanban at "Oshoku-no-mise Naochan" is not topped with tartar sauce, so it is not oily and can be eaten lightly. It is popular among women and older people because it is not heavy and easy to eat. If you want to change the flavor, it is recommended to add a little mustard or yuzu kosho.

"Ogura"

Ogura, which serves chicken nanban made with breast meat topped with tartar sauce, is a recommended restaurant for those who want a hearty meal.

The reason why "Ogura" developed Chicken Nanban was because they felt it was a waste. At the time, "Ogura" purchased whole chickens. They used thigh meat for chicken cutlets, but breast meat was not used much.

Teruyuki Kai, the older brother of the company's founder Yoshimitsu Kai, had known the poverty of war and was thinking about how he could somehow turn unused chicken breast meat into a product. When he noticed children eating fried chicken dipped in sweet and sour horse mackerel nanbanzuke, he came up with the idea for Chicken Nanban.

It is said that the idea of putting tartar sauce on chicken nanban came from putting mayonnaise on dried squid.

The story behind Chicken Nanban

It is not known which restaurant, "Oshoku no Mise Naochan" or "Ogura", first came up with the idea of chicken nanban, but it is certain that it was born in Nobeoka City. Nobeoka City's official mascot is "Chikinan Bancho", a mascot that promotes the deliciousness of chicken nanban. His trademark is a crest made of chicken nanban and a dashing face in a school uniform.

July 8th was also designated as Chicken Nanban Day. It was chosen because of the wordplay on nan (7) and ban (8). On July 8th, 2009, Nobeoka City declared itself "the town where Chicken Nanban originated." Civic groups have begun holding symposiums and other efforts to revitalize the town through Chicken Nanban. Miyazaki Hideji Beer, a local craft beer company, sells a "beer made just for Chicken Nanban."

Tourist information for the nature-filled city of Nobeoka

Nobeoka City is a warm region with an average annual temperature of about 17°C. In the midst of magnificent nature, you can enjoy outdoor sports such as surfing, cycling, and mountain climbing throughout the year. Sweetfish fishing in the pure Gokase River and BBQ camping are also popular.

Nobeoka City also flourished as a castle town of the Nobeoka Domain, which had a fief of 70,000 koku. Its history and culture are still passed down today, and the impressive 19m-high stone walls remain at Shiroyama Park, the site of the former Nobeoka Castle.

Shiroyama Park is also one of the three major camellia sites in Japan, along with Ino Falls in Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture, and the ruins of Matsue Castle in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Shiroyama Park is home to 108 species of camellias. They come in all colors, including red, white, pink, striped, and bordered. They bloom from the end of October to late April, but the best time to see them is from December to March.

How to get to Nobeoka City

It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Miyazaki City to Nobeoka City. Head north on the Higashi Kyushu Expressway from Miyazaki Nishi IC to Nobeoka City. It takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Fukuoka City or Kagoshima City if you use the expressway.

Nobeoka City is also easily accessible by train. If you take the "Nichirin" limited express train from JR Oita Station to JR Nobeoka Station, it will take about two hours. If you take the "Nichirin" or "Hyuga" limited express train from JR Miyazaki Station to JR Nobeoka Station, it will take about one hour.

Location of Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture

summary

In Nobeoka City, the birthplace of Chicken Nanban, you can enjoy a variety of Chicken Nanban. Unique to Nobeoka City are the unique chicken nanban dishes you can try, such as those topped with grated daikon radish, those with curry flavor, and Chicken Nanban rice balls.

If you visit Nobeoka City in Miyazaki Prefecture, be sure to try the authentic "Chicken Nanban."

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