Osaka Kushikatsu
Crispy deep-fried pork skewers coated in golden panko, served with tangy Worcestershire dipping sauce. A beloved Japanese street food that's surprisingly simple to make at home.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 620
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder or loin
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 whole eggs
- 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- 1
Cut the pork into strips 3 inches long, 0.75 inches wide, and 0.75 inches thick, cutting perpendicular to the grain so each piece is tender when bitten.
- 2
Thread 3 pork strips lengthwise onto each bamboo or metal skewer, leaving 2 inches of handle free at the bottom.
- 3
Pour flour into one small bowl, beaten eggs into a second small bowl, and panko into a third small bowl, arranging them in a line left to right.
- 4
Working with one skewer at a time, roll it in the flour until fully coated, then dip it in the egg mixture, then roll it in the panko, pressing gently so breadcrumbs stick.
- 5
Pour 4 cups of vegetable oil into a heavy pot or deep fryer and heat to 350°F, about 8–10 minutes, until a wooden chopstick placed in the oil produces a steady stream of tiny bubbles.
- 6
Carefully slide one skewer into the hot oil and fry for 3–4 minutes, turning it once halfway through, until the panko coating is deep golden-brown and crispy.
- 7
Lift the skewer out using tongs and hold it over the pot for 5 seconds to drain excess oil, then place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- 8
Repeat frying with the remaining skewers, working in batches and maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F, so they do not crowd the pot.
- 9
Pour the Worcestershire sauce into a small bowl or cup and set it on the table next to the skewers as a dipping sauce.
Tools you’ll need
- bamboo or metal skewers (8 inches long)
- sharp chef's knife
- cutting board
- 3 small bowls
- heavy-bottomed pot (minimum 4-quart capacity) or deep fryer
- instant-read or deep-fry thermometer
- wooden chopsticks
- tongs or slotted spoon
- paper towels
- small bowl for dipping sauce
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
CookSnap is a free iOS app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations.
