Steps

1. Cut 1 chicken thigh (350g) into 8 pieces. Do not trim the skin or tendons; use them as is. [Here's the trick!] Cut into 8 pieces considering that the skin and tendons are also delicious and to ensure even cooking.
   🕒 03:02
2. Grate 1 clove garlic and 5g ginger. [Here's the trick!] Grating the ginger with the peel on will give a stronger aroma.
   🕒 04:04
3. In a bowl, combine the grated garlic and ginger, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp sake, 8 shakes MSG(Ajinomoto), 5 shakes nutmeg, 4 shakes allspice, 2 shakes cumin, and 4 shakes ground black pepper, and mix. [Here's the trick!] Adding MSG(Ajinomoto) provides a synergistic effect for umami.
   🕒 04:47
4. Add the cut chicken pieces to the bowl with the seasonings and mix well by massaging.
   🕒 06:11
5. Marinate the massaged chicken at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. [Here's the trick!] Marinating at room temperature allows the heat to penetrate to the center of the meat, resulting in juicy fried chicken. Be careful not to marinate for too long, as it can become too salty.
   🕒 06:43
6. In a small frying pan, add vegetable oil to a depth of about 1cm from the bottom and heat over medium heat. [Here's the trick!] Using less oil allows the fried chicken to become crispier by being exposed to air.
   🕒 07:06
7. Pull the skin of the marinated chicken outwards and coat it thoroughly with potato starch until it turns white all over. [Here's the trick!] Tautly stretching the skin and applying a solid coating will prevent it from becoming mushy and result in delicious fried chicken.
   🕒 07:36
8. Add the coated chicken to the oil heated over medium heat and fry for 4-5 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden brown all over. [Here's the trick!] Flip at appropriate intervals while frying, being careful not to let it become too dark.
   🕒 08:12
9. Remove the fried chicken from the pan and place it on a rack for 1-2 minutes to drain the oil. [Here's the trick!] Allowing it to rest with residual heat will make the meat the most tender.
   🕒 09:13
10. Arrange the drained fried chicken on a plate and serve with cut lemon, if desired, to complete.
    🕒 09:29