Karaage is Japanese fried chicken — smaller, bite-sized pieces, usually marinated and seasoned before frying, and different in texture and flavor from Southern-style fried chicken. At Bakudan, it's one of ten items on the Starters menu, and it's worth knowing on its own rather than just as "the fried chicken option."
What's Actually in the Dish
Bakudan's Chicken Karaage is fried chicken tossed in Japanese spices, six pieces, priced at $9.50. The seasoning is the part that separates it from a standard fried chicken order — it's tossed after frying, not just battered and served plain.
How It Compares to the Wings
Bakudan also has Tebasaki Wings (sweet and peppery) and Honey Sriracha Wings (spicy, sweet, and savory) at the same $9.50 price point. If you want something more straightforwardly seasoned and less sauce-forward than either wing option, Karaage is the more neutral, spice-forward choice of the three.
Pairing It With a Bowl
Karaage works as a starter alongside any bowl on the menu — there's no specific broth it's built to pair with. If you're ordering a milder bowl like Bakudan Chicken, Karaage adds more seasoning and texture to the meal without changing what's in your broth.
Ordering It
Karaage is available at all three locations, in person or through online ordering via Toast, and works well split at the table the same way most of Bakudan's starters do.