Kitsune-iro (golden brown)
A light brown, like a fox’s fur. Used as a guide for frying and browning.
👀 At a glance
⚪
White
Just starting to cook
🟡
Pale yellow
Almost there
🦊
Golden brown
Light brown. The goal for fried food and browned onions
🟤
Deep brown
Darker than golden brown
⚫
Blackish
Burnt. It tastes bitter
💡 Why look at the color
- Browning brings out a toasty aroma
- Color helps you judge how cooked it is
⚠️ Be careful
- For fried food, don’t go by color alone. Check it’s cooked inside
- Never leave hot frying oil. If it smokes, turn off the heat right away
- Keep water away from hot oil (it splatters badly)
Recipes that use this
Aji Fry (Breaded Fried Horse Mackerel)
About 30 minServes 2
Harumaki (Spring Rolls)
About 1 hrMakes 10 (serves 3–4)
Kani Cream Korokke (Creamy Crab Croquettes)
About 1 hr 40 minServes 2–3
Koya-dofu Karaage (Crispy Fried Freeze-Dried Tofu)
About 25 minServes 2
Peperoncino (Garlic and Chili Spaghetti)
About 20 minServes 2
Fried Lotus Root Sandwiches
About 40 minServes 2
Subuta (Sweet and Sour Pork)
About 35 minServes 2