Oita Tori-ten

Tori-ten is a regional dish from Oita Prefecture, where chicken is coated in tempura batter and fried until crispy. Unlike karaage, the batter is light, and it's traditionally eaten with ponzu sauce and prepared wasabi—the Oita way. Said to have originated at a Chinese restaurant in Oita city in the early Showa period, it has now become a soul food for Oita residents. It appears on menus across all types of restaurants in the city—teishoku-ya (set meal restaurants), izakayas, udon shops, and more—and is also beloved as home cooking. The combination of juicy chicken and crispy batter is irresistibly delicious.