In what can only be described as “a taste beyond words”, the stage is all set for the new KFC Umakara Chicken. It’s sure to confound your taste buds with tantalising flavours during its limited release from 13 Jul to 5 Aug.
Umami Taste Profile
So here’s the lowdown. We all know about the four widely accepted and recognised taste profiles. Sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Chefs and cooks everywhere craft their dishes based on these four tastes. Mastering the perfect balance of these tastes is the key to creating delicious dishes.
But, do you know that we have a 5th taste Described as ‘moreish savoury’, this savoury taste profile is commonly known to us as ‘umami’. Foods rich in umami components include mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheeses.
Drawing inspiration from this 5th taste, KFC has launched the new KFC Umakara Chicken.
“Juicy, fresh chicken marinated in savoury shoyu and Japanese spices, hand-coated in a spicy, crispy batter, then sprinkled with an umami spice sprinkle”
Umakara Chicken
To precede its official launch, the team at DiscoverSG had the delightful opportunity to attend an exclusive tasting session before its release to the public.
“The addictive lure of umami and the kick of heat from the Japanese spices make for an indescribable flavour combination. It gives you uninhibited taste enjoyment that is truly out of this world!”
Step aside, McDonald’s. This is how you do it.
In comparison to the much maligned Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger, the KFC Umakara Chicken doesn’t disappoint. After savouring this perfectly crispy chicken, we can confidently proclaim that this is perhaps, the best seasonal release from a fast-food chain we have seen since like, ever!
Deep fried to a delicious golden brown, every bite into the spicy batter contained very satisfying tinges of heat. It was not only tasty, but also addictive. There was a lingering, pleasant smell of the shoyu marinade that remained on our fingers after we were done with our meal. Talk about finger lickin’ good!
Side Dishes
Besides the Umakara Chicken, the meal also came with Crispy Tenders and Shroom Poppers. The Shroom Poppers are potato bites stuffed with mushrooms, vegetables, meatloaf, and onion. The crispy tenders were not much to shout about, and the shroom poppers were a tad underwhelming, to say the least. It was a tad disappointing considering the Umakara Chicken was fantastic.
Verdict
The Umakara Chicken is definitely going to feature in our meals for the next few weeks. You could skip the Crispy Tenders and Shrooms Peppers, and save your tummy for the Umakara Chicken! Do mark your calendar, as it’s only available for limited release from 13 Jul to 5 Aug.
KFC Umakara Chicken Meal, $7.90:
2 pieces Umakara Chicken, 1 regular Whipped Potato, 1 regular Coleslaw and 1 regular SJORA Mango Peach
KFC Umakara Chicken Box, $9.50:
2 pieces Umakara Chicken, 2 pieces Crispy Tenders, 2 pieces Shrooms Poppers, 1 regular Whipped Potato and 1 regular SJORA Mango Peach
This was an invited tasting session.
Also, read Comfort Food Always Wins! 7 Local Desserts That Steal Our Hearts
