Chicken Wing Day (Tebasaki Kinenbi)

What Is Chicken Wing Day?

June 14th is "Chicken Wing Day" (Tebasaki Kinenbi), established in 2007 by S.Y. Food Co., Ltd., operator of the restaurant chain "Sekai no Yamachan," which helped popularize Nagoya's famous "tebasaki karaage" (deep-fried chicken wings) nationwide. The date marks the chain's founding: the first Sekai no Yamachan restaurant opened on June 14, 1981. The day aims to highlight the appeal of chicken wings and spread awareness of their place in food culture.

The History and Cultural Background of Chicken Wings

Chicken wings have long been enjoyed simmered or grilled, but the now-famous "tebasaki karaage" is said to have originated at Furaibo, a chicken restaurant that opened in Nagoya in 1963. Wings, until then used mainly for soup stock, were deep-fried and coated in the house sauce, and the dish caught on. With other shops such as Sekai no Yamachan joining in, it became a signature regional dish.

• A Nagoya specialty: Known for its sweet-and-spicy sauce and bold black pepper kick.
• Tied to izakaya culture: Easy to eat and a perfect match for beer, which helped it become a staple.
• Popular in home cooking too: Enjoyed fried, simmered, grilled, and in many other styles.

The Cooking Techniques Behind Great Chicken Wings

Although a simple ingredient, chicken wings can taste dramatically different depending on how they're prepared.

• Double-frying: Used to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
• Coating with sweet-spicy sauce: Tossing the wings in sauce right after frying brings out their aroma and flavor.
• A peppery kick: The Nagoya style uses plenty of black pepper for its distinctive bite.

Interesting Facts About Chicken Wings

• Skin and cartilage: Wing tips have little meat but plenty of skin, which contains collagen, while the cartilage contains calcium.
• A popular cut worldwide: Chicken wings are a beloved food in many countries, especially across Asia.
• The original: Furaibo, a Nagoya restaurant founded in 1963, is credited as the birthplace of tebasaki karaage.
• There's an art to eating them: Some restaurants show customers how to snap the joint, pull out the bones, and eat the meat cleanly.

How to Spend Chicken Wing Day

• Visit your favorite chicken wing restaurant and compare flavors.
• Try making chicken wings at home, experimenting with sauces and spices.
• Learn about the history of this Nagoya specialty and its regional roots.
• Look up the history of Nagoya chicken wing shops such as Sekai no Yamachan.

A Savory Aroma and Spicy Kick Bring a Little Happiness to the Table

Chicken Wing Day on June 14th is a day to rediscover the appeal of this beloved Nagoya-born dish. The crispy texture, sweet-and-spicy sauce, and fragrant spice -- each element reflects the region's food culture and the craftsmanship behind it. Let today be your starting point for exploring the deep world of chicken wings.