Karaage Ya: Authentic Japanese delights

Karaage Ya is a Japanese fried chicken place located in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, near Hotel Shangri~La. It’s been in operation for over three months. However, it’s well-known among those who enjoy the authentic flavor of Japanese chicken and cup noodles. Karaage Ya is where you should go if you want some mouth watering fried chicken and tasty instant cup ramen in the city. 

The eatery has cool and artistically drawn paintings of anime and Japanese characters on the walls, making the entire place fascinating. It’s an ideal spot to hangout and tuck in some good food.

We tried the boneless Karaage chicken, which is the cafe’s best selling dish. The chicken is delectably juicy and tender. They serve the chicken with a variety of seasonings, including Wasabi mayo, black pepper, consomme, and mayonnaise. 

Wings and drumsticks are some other must-try dishes. Ram Bahadur Rana, manager at Karaage Ya, says, “We make sure to check the quality of the oil before deep-frying the chicken, drumsticks, wings, and fries. We have a digital system frying fan to adjust the temperature.” This apparently is to ensure the chicken is cooked just right—crispy on the outside and succulent inside. Also, they use potato starch for the coating, which makes the chicken tasty and crispy.

The Saka Saka Potato, which is available in medium and large size, is another delight. There are plenty of options to choose from as well: cheese, soy butter, garlic, and takoyaki flavors. I particularly enjoyed my potato fries with a mixture of garlic and cheese flavors. I didn’t feel bloated despite having deep-fried items, which I guess goes to show they are a stickler for serving good quality food.  

After looking at the stack of Ramen cups, we decided to order some. The staff there suggested that we try the spicy soy sauce with chili pepper and chicken-based Soy Sauce Ramen. Although it wasn’t as spicy as Korean ramen, it was tangy and flavorful. They will soon be adding a bento box on their menu and I can’t wait to try that as well. 

I must mention that the staff were incredibly attentive and kind. Some of them have worked in Japan for years and they could speak Japanese with ease. The restaurant’s decor is currently being worked on, but the kitchen and dining area were impeccably clean. There is ample space for parking as well.

Their specials:

Karaage chicken (boneless)

Wings 

Saka saka potato

Drumstick

Location: Lazimpat, Kathmandu

Meal for two: Rs 1,200

Opening hours: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Contact: 01-4543512

Parking: Available