Best thing I ate this week: Buttermilk chicken karaage

'Best thing I ate' is a series where we share the best things we have eaten around Singapore. Read more here.

What: Chicken karaage value set ($10.90++)
Where: #04-54, Japan Food Town, Wisma Atria

Tender, juicy and crispy - that's how fried chicken should taste like, otherwise you really shouldn't be wasting your calories on it.

And I'm so glad a friend of mine kindly introduced me to a Japanese joint that serves what I think is the best chicken karaage in town - it's also well worth the calories.

Before this, I had always assumed chicken karaage can't possibly taste any different no matter where it's served. How ignorant I was.

Hidden in an obscure corner on the fourth floor of Wisma Atria, Rang Mang Shokudo is part of the mall's beloved Japan Food Town, but I don't believe enough people are aware of this place.

What I love about Rang Mang Shokudo is that that they only use free-range chicken (fresh, and not frozen), but also that I can choose from 15 different types of sauces to dip my fried chicken in. I'd recommend the cod roe mayonnaise dip - too good!

What sets the fried chicken here apart from so-called generic ones is definitely the restaurant's special buttermilk marinade. Additionally, despite frying the chicken twice (for extra crispiness) - the meat is still palatable and not too oily.

On weekdays, the restaurant offers a value-for-money lunch set ($10.90++) which comprises a bowl of Japanese rice (choose between white and 16-grain), potato salad, a portion of greens with Japanese dressing and five pieces of their amazing chicken karaage.

All of these are served on a cute wooden tray and the restaurant kindly provides a little packet of wet towel for customers to use after their meal.

Fans of Japanese karaage - or fried chicken in general - should definitely give this hidden gem a shot.

Also spied on the menu: A frozen lemon soft drink. I think it'll go really well with the fried chicken served here and I will definitely order one to complement my next meal at Rang Mang Shokudo.

The writer paid for the meal reviewed.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg