KFCtopKentucky Fried Chicken announced that they are opening up a new line of stores selling Japanese-style fried chicken called karaage. Karaage involves marinating the meat beforehand, usually in soy sauce, and then frying in small chunks.

The first store is set to open on 1 October in Meguro, Tokyo called KFC Niwatorikaratei. Although still decorated with the familiar logos of KFC including the Colonel, the store front has the feel of an elegant Japanese restaurant.

If you just want to play it safe, worry not. Niwatorikaratei stores will also offer original recipe chicken. However, these new stores are designed to be take-out only and will offer four different flavors of karaage.

Shoyu is a blend of soy sauce and garlic while Gozansho mixes soy sauce with pepper and sesame. If you’re looking for something with a little more zip, there’s also Karauma that features the spiciness of chili peppers. To round out the group you can also get some cross-cultural karaage seasoned with the Colonel’s 11 herbs and spices.

While the first Niwatorikaratei will open next month, KFC Japan aims to have six shops up and running around Japan within the year. Prices may vary depending on the region but should be around 270 yen (US$2.70) for 100g. There’s no word yet on whether these stores will have life-sized Colonel Sanders statues that people can dress-up out front or not.

Source: KFC via Entabe (Japanese)