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Chicken nanban
For the tartar, boil the 2 tartar eggs for 10 minutes, cool them in cold water, peel and chop. Soak the chopped onion in cold water for 5 minutes and squeeze it dry. Mix the eggs, onion, pickles, parsley, mayonnaise, lemon juice and sugar with a pinch of salt, and chill.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Chicken nanban take?
50 min all in — 25 min prep, 25 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 plates. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Eggs, Soy. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Frying pan, Saucepan, Mixing bowl, Tongs, Chef's knife, Cutting board.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at ½ tsp.
How much vinegar?
60 ml (rice vinegar) of Vinegar.
How much sugar?
40 g of Sugar.
How much soy sauce?
50 ml of Soy sauce.
How much mirin?
2 tbsp of Mirin.
How much sugar?
1 pinch of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Chicken thigh → Chicken breast, butterflied thin. Leaner and quicker to dry out. Fry a minute less. Rice vinegar → Cider vinegar with a little extra sugar. Sharper and fruitier. Taste and add sugar until it is as sweet as it is sour.
Any tips from this recipe?
Make the tartar first so it has time to chill. Cold sauce on hot chicken is the point. Leftovers go into a sandwich with the cabbage the next day.
Can I prepare this ahead?
Leftovers go into a sandwich with the cabbage the next day.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.