People line up around the block for their favourites and even the late Anthony Bourdain obsessed over them: "I'm addicted to these deep-fried chicken cutlets… It's a guilty pleasure. I know exactly where to find a Lawson in Narita International Airport, and I never get on the plane without loading up on these bad boys." There's even a karaage movie produced by the Japan Karaage Association dubbing the savoury snack as the "ultimate national food".
