There are various theories, but Kushiro, which is said to be the birthplace of robatayaki, is also apparently the birthplace of the restaurant that invented zangi.
I have a weakness for the word "origin." Especially when it comes to fried chicken, a dish I've loved since I was a child. I was walking around Kushiro, breathless and hungry, having missed lunch, when I finally decided to wait for the right moment and grab a drink at the nearby Akachochin Yokocho.
Just before 4pm, we went to Tomigen, the only restaurant open.
The place was bustling with local men and women. We had draft beer, the automatically-served cod Sanpei soup, and fried squid. Before we even got to the main entrance, our stomachs were filled to the brim.
Torimatsu, the birthplace of Zangi
I was having so much fun that I ordered another beer. Feeling full, I headed to Torimatsu for my first meal.
Surprisingly, the woman who had come to Tomigen earlier to say "good morning" was working there.
"Thank you for earlier. What would you like to order?"
There are two types of Zangi: bone-in and boneless. I wanted to try them both, but to my surprise, I saw the words "Motsuni Nikomi" (stewed offal) on the menu!
Stewed offal
So, the stewed offal that we couldn't resist is a rare stew made only from gizzards. The light soy sauce flavor is a great supporting actor that brings out the flavor of the zangi.
Bone-in Zangi
They purchase a whole chicken and deep-fry it in sections. The thin batter and sharp oil, the random cuts that make it fun to eat, and the special sauce make it far more delicious than you would imagine zangi to be!
Apparently, "Zangi" is a combination of the Chinese word for fried chicken (zhaji/zaji) and the "un" (lucky) part. I didn't really get it, but it was an exquisite dish that really showed the history and experience of the original store.
Shiso Lemon Sour
I was torn between a bottle of Takara Shochu Highball, but the words "Hokkaido Limited Edition" caught me off guard and I ordered Lemondo's Shiso Lemon Sour. I'm a bit of a fool, so I'm easily tempted not only by the word "origin" but also by "limited edition."
I ate it all up in no time, thank you for the meal!
word used after one has been treated (esp. used after a meal)
There's no doubt that this is the "origin" of the restaurant. I was only there for less than 30 minutes, but I was very satisfied. Currently, the restaurant is run by the elderly second-generation owner and two female helpers. I hope to continue passing on these skills and give myself a 30-minute challenge whenever I come to Kushiro in the future!
menu
Store Information
Torimatsu
Time: 5 PM to 11 PM
Closed: Sunday
Address: 3-1-1 Sakaemachi, Kushiro City, Hokkaido 085-0013
English
Japanese
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