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In the world of professional frying and culinary arts, cooking oil management is usually strictly regulated by acid value thresholds and oxidation standards. However, a historic Japanese fried chicken restaurant named "Karaage Wakadori," located in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has completely challenged these modern norms. The establishment has triggered an intense international debate on food safety versus culinary heritage after revealing that its frying oil has not been fully replaced or discarded in 66 years.
Founded in 1960 by the current owner's grandmother, the restaurant specializes in Karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken). Over nearly seven decades, the business has achieved legendary status among locals, culminating in winning the highest gold award at the prestigious 2023 Karaage Grand Prix. The secret to their award-winning, deeply savory flavor profiles lies in what the owners call their "nurtured oil." Instead of discarding the oil at the end of the day, the kitchen staff filters out the food debris and sediment, transfers the remaining oil to a storage container overnight, and blends it back into the master pot the next morning, continuously topping it up with fresh oil to compensate for what was absorbed by the chicken.
This multi-generational oil-aging process mimics the traditional concepts used in master stocks (Master Broth) or centuries-old soy sauce vats, where continuous use builds an irreplaceable depth of flavor. While local patrons and traditional culinary experts view this as a sacred heritage that imparts a unique, irreplaceable umami taste, the story recently went viral on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, igniting fierce criticism. International observers raised significant health concerns regarding lipid oxidation, acrylamide accumulation, and potential carcinogens associated with repeatedly heated oils. Despite the backlash, the restaurant maintains that its daily filtration, continuous replenishment, and rigorous temperature controls keep the oil safe, turning a simple kitchen component into a 66-year-old living legacy.
Source: Oddity Central / Note/耕雲
