I liked KFC so much that I worked part-time as a cashier at the tender age of 17. I remember fondly how I took home leftover chicken pieces, mashed potatoes while sipping a huge cup of iced Milo at the end of my shift.
Now, I don’t think anyone will protest violently if I say that the culinary standards of KFC have declined. But over in the Land of the Rising Sun (of course Japan does things differently!), KFC has been so entrenched in the lives of the locals that people devour KFC chicken on Christmas eve. Talk about the epitome of marketing.
I havent had it in years, it's gone down bad, remember it being mint as a kid, or when I was a drunk teenager! Not sure if it was better quality or i'm looking back on it in nostaglia coloured glasses
I do remember rubbing out my arms and legs with KFC oil like it was sunscreen after I was done munching
lol! won’t you feel unbearably sticky after that? I have never thought of rubbing the KFC oil like sunscreen.
have you tried those Simba chips before?
LOL i never said it was a smart decision, just one I made! You do look really shiny though if that's something.
I have had it once, they're not bad but I am a salt and vinegar maxi nothing can top it
haha fair enough.
I wanna try those chips one day!
No KYC!
KFC, Ok!
and do you pair it with a cigar?
You know me!
very well
I completely agree that KFC has declined over the years. I get nostalgic thinking of my family hauling buckets of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits, and coleslaw to school picnics. Yet, when I suggest doing the same for our family, my husband and I never pull the trigger… The food is just not the same as 30+ years ago.
On road trips south we often pass the historic site where Colonel Sanders first fried up his now famous fried chicken and yet we have never stopped.
It took our family traveling all the way to South Africa (as many SN readers heard about last year) for us to first present our kids with KFC. We had arrived later than expected after traveling for 20+ hours and finally convenience outweighed our skepticism and melancholy over the once wholesome and hearty dinner option.
We bought a family meal and, while none of our children would eat the chicken and only ate the side dishes, the chicken was actually really tasty. The difference? It had significantly more seasoning and was even called “spicy” by our daughters. So, my husband and I had to fly around the globe to finally enjoy KFC as adults.
With that said, South Africa and the food brand Simba may have gone too far with their KFC flavored chips:
It makes me wonder if the KFC’s in Japan are actually amazing and are completely worthy to be served as a traditional Christmas feast. In the US though, even less than an hour from its birthplace, KFC is definitely not worth the money or the heartburn.
For more fun history, check out the Fat Electrician’s history of the franchise:
https://youtu.be/KjVHW7a4XUw?is=PuC6H0Q_mEJMVN0g
this was such a joy to read. thank you for taking the time to share your delightful memories. Lekker! I am dying to try those KFC favoured chips actually.
I don’t think KfC in Japan is jaw-dropping delicious, but I guess since Christmas is a Western festival after all, KFC fits the bill for a family-friendly feast. it is suitably exotic without it being alienating. actually I think the fried chicken served at its convenience stores like Family Mart and Lawson won’t lose out in terms of taste to KFC chicken.
what do you do if your children have a craving for fried chicken? are there other fast food restaurants that you take them to?
heehee
I have fond memories of KFC but I haven't gotten them in years. Partly it's because the number of stores have declined, so it isn't as available. And my vague memory is that the most recent times I've gotten them, it hasn't been as good as I remember.
agreed. which eateries let you make fond memories with your children currently?
I really like it. Much better than that KYC garbage.
clever. I burst out laughing after reading your comment
True, haha
I haven't had KFC in years. I used to really like their big crunch sandwich and I forget what they called the chicken wrap but that was really good too.
Twisters? oh man I loved those too!
Yeah that's what they were called. Very tasty.
I’m definitely a yay, but KFC has never been as good as it used to be. The Japanese Christmas tradition is pretty fascinating though.
indeed, it’s like it has taken on an entirely new life of its own