Make the Best Fried Foods With Potato Starch!

Who knew potato starch could be such a versatile ingredient? This starch is used all over Asia for a wide array of recipes, from noodles to karaage. While China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan don’t always share common ingredients in recipes, this is one starch that you’ll find in all of these countries.

What is Potato Starch?

So, what is potato starch, and what makes it so unique? This starch is created from potatoes (as you've likely guessed). When potatoes are smashed, they release a cloudy liquid that is dehydrated. This process makes the widely used potato starch.

This starch is excellent for those who need to eat a gluten-free diet as a replacement in bread recipes. You can use this starch in place of flour in many recipes. Use potato starch to thicken sauces and soups. This starch is also a common ingredient in noodles, as it becomes a chewy, gelatinous consistency when you mix it with water.

However, a personal favorite is to create a batter for making fried foods. Using potato starch in this batter gives a delicious extra crunch to the exterior of any food you use it on.

If you can't find potato starch at your local grocery store, you can use corn starch, arrowroot powder, rice flour, potato flour, wheat flour, tapioca starch, and potato chips as a potato starch substitute to create a similar effect when frying foods.

What Does Potato Starch Taste Like?

Part of what makes this starch so versatile is its subtle taste. If you have a sensitive palate, you may notice the light potato flavor it offers. However, in most cases, you won't be able to taste the potato starch at all.

This is what makes it an excellent option for creating noodles and thickening liquids – it does not take away from the other flavors. So, you can season it as you please without fear of the potato starch overpowering anything else in your dish.

Ways to Use Potato Starch

Now that you know all about potato starch, let's look at some ways you can incorporate it into tasty friend recipes at home!

Chicken Karaage

Chicken karaage is an excellent way to use potato starch. This is a delicious Japanese fried chicken using juicy marinated chicken coated in a potato starch batter. It's incredibly flavorful and has a thick, crispy exterior that will make this your go-to fried chicken dish very quickly.

You'll need to marinate your chicken first with soy sauce, garlic, and other seasonings. While it's typical to use chicken drumsticks, you can use boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts instead. Then, dip it into J-Basket Katakuriko Potato Starch mixed with salt and pepper.

If you want to avoid waiting for the chicken to marinate, you can use Kikkoman Karaage Japanese-Style Fried Chicken Mix instead. Roll your drumsticks in this mixture, fry, and enjoy a deliciously crispy piece of chicken.

Shrimp Tempura

Shrimp tempura is one of the most delicious foods, and it’s so simple to make! The batter is light and fluffy, allowing the shrimp (or veggies) to be the star of the show.

To make shrimp tempura at home, use J-Basket Katakuriko Potato Starch with an egg, chilled vodka, and sparkling water. This combination of ingredients helps create bubbles in the batter, making it lighter and crispier.

If you’ve ever had tempura or shrimp tempura, you’ve likely noticed that the exterior of the shrimp and vegetables is not smooth. It’s because of the vodka and sparkling water included!

Don’t forget to pair your shrimp tempura with a delicious sauce – try using Bulldog Tonkatsu Sauce for a tangy, sweet, umami-packed flavor.

If you want to find other sides and snacks to pair with these delicious potato starch-based foods, check out Bokksu Market, an Asian grocery store. Bokksu provides Japanese grocery options and Asian grocery items like snacks, sauces, and cooking ingredients. The best part is that you can order groceries online to skip the in-person checkout line!