🍜 Tōyōkan

The Chinese restaurant with a history of over a hundred years sees long lines not only on holidays but also on weekdays, often filling up completely as soon as it opens. The first head chef, 宮本四朗 (Miyamoto Shirou), who once served as the chef for His Majesty the Emperor, is an experienced and skilled artisan. Shortly after opening, he conceived the dish "鳥天" (Toriten), becoming a renowned legendary figure. The method for making Toriten involves slicing domestic chicken thighs thinly, marinating them with various seasonings, then coating them with a batter mixed with eggs, and deep-frying in hot oil at 165 to 170 degrees Celsius. The process appears simple, yet it cleverly combines the classic Chinese dish "fried chicken" with the unique creativity of the Japanese dish "天婦羅" (tempura), resulting in a crispy, tender, and juicy delicacy that quickly became a sensation. Since then, 東洋軒 (Touyoukan) has become the founding store of Toriten, gaining nationwide fame. The disciples who learned culinary skills at this restaurant have started their own businesses, spreading this delicious dish, and today, Toriten has become an irreplaceable soul food in the hearts of the people of Oita Prefecture. Toriten is pre-marinated, so it can be enjoyed directly without any dipping sauce, or it can be squeezed with Oita's famous vinegar citrus, or paired with vinegar soy sauce and wasabi for added flavor.

The century-old Chinese restaurant, 齖廳 (Zhā Tīng), has been extremely popular with long lines for days. The first head chef incorporated Japanese cooking techniques into Chinese culinary concepts, creating "鳥天" (Toriten). As the founding store of Toriten, it has become a renowned establishment celebrated nationwide.