The Hanamaulu Cafe, a local icon on Kaua’i, closed in 2014, after being in business for more than 80 years. But its famed fried ginger chicken lives on. The Internet has several versions of Hanamaulu Cafe chicken, but this recipe is the one that was passed on to me when I got married. As happens with passed down recipes, it’s pretty bare bones. It’s not fancy, but it’s my favorite protein to include in plate lunch, with a big scoop of mac salad and 2 scoops rice.
I’m sharing this recipe today to celebrate the release of Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners (review). An enemies-to-lovers rom-com that takes place partly on Maui, Olive and Ethan mostly stay on the touristy side of a Hawaiian vacation. I felt like it was important to share something that’s part of the real Hawaii. And, really, it was a good excuse to have Hanamaulu Cafe Chicken and buy myself some chocolate covered mac nuts.
If you get a hankering for plate lunch while on the south end of Kauai, Mark’s Place in Lihue/is our go-to for a top notch one.
Hanamaulu Cafe Chicken
This recipe for crispy ginger chicken was passed down to me when I got married.
Ingredients
- Marinade:
- 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, crushed
- 4 T. granulated sugar
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1/2 t. rice vinegar
- 1/2 t. salt
- 4 T. Kikkoman soy sauce
- 1 t. sesame oil (Kadoya recommended)
- 1/2 t. brandy
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken, breast or thigh, cut into 2-inch pieces
- Coating
- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/4 t. black pepper
- 1/2 t. salt
- Canola oil for frying
Instructions
Mix all marinade ingredients together in a small bowl and pour into a large ziptop bag. Add the chicken and marinate for several hours or overnight.
When ready to fry the chicken, put enough canola oil in a cast iron skillet to fill it an inch deep. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350F.
Combine the coating ingredients in a rectangular baking dish. Toss a few pieces of chicken in the coating at a time and fry until well-browned. To ensure they're fully cooked, check the temperature with a quick read thermometer and ensure the chicken comes to 165F.
Serve with medium grain sticky rice and mac salad.
Eliza
May 14, 2019 at 1:34 pmI just got myself a really good dish to serve my boy on his birthday. Thank you. I was about to buy the ready to cook hotshot balls. You saved me!!!