Awaodori Chicken

This is a leading brand jidori chicken of Tokushima Prefecture. Raised slowly in a relaxed environment, it is known for its pleasant firmness and the deep umami that spreads the more you chew. It boasts high production even among jidori and is loved within and beyond the prefecture.

Awaodori chicken is a cross between a male shamo, a breed known for cockfighting, and a female White Plymouth Rock prized for its meat quality and egg laying. It was developed in the late 1970s as a competitive jidori that could be raised even in mountainous areas, in order to revive the prefecture's poultry industry after a surge in imported broilers. The name is said to derive from the Awa Odori dance and from the bird's stance with its tail feathers held straight up. Its jidori shipment numbers are among the highest in the nation, and it became the first chicken certified under the jidori JAS standard in 2001 and was registered under the Geographical Indication (GI) protection system in 2023, making it a brand jidori that truly represents Tokushima.

Highlights

Its moderately firm flesh suits a wide range of cooking, from grilled skewers to fried chicken and hot pot. The fat is not heavy, and the natural flavor of the chicken comes through clearly. Savored simply with salt, the quality of the ingredient is easy to appreciate. Because it is raised longer than a typical broiler, the meat has firm umami and springiness.

Enjoying the Seasons

It can be savored year round, but in winter enjoying its umami in a warm hot pot is recommended. In summer, grilled skewers cooked fragrant over charcoal and paired with refreshing garnishes are exceptional too.

Access and Basic Information

It can be enjoyed at grilled skewer shops and jidori restaurants in Tokushima City and the Awa area. Served at eateries throughout the prefecture, the meat can also be bought at farm stands to cook at home.

A Quick Tip

Since it is quite firm, the trick is to chew well and savor the umami. First try it salt grilled, then compare it with sauce or in hot pot.

Practical Travel Notes

Serving venues range widely from grilled skewer shops to jidori specialty restaurants and local cuisine eateries, letting you choose from single plates to full courses. Skewers run around a few hundred yen each, while hot pots and fried chicken set meals are often available from around a thousand yen. Souvenir shops and farm stands around Tokushima Awaodori Airport and Tokushima Station also carry vacuum packed meat and processed goods that are easy to take home. Popular jidori restaurants can get crowded in the evening, so reserving ahead is reassuring if you want to be sure to try it. Hours and closing days vary by shop, so it is best to check before visiting.