【第15弾】「ザ・ロングセラー愛されるにはワケがある」創業69年 小樽自慢の味に密着！（11月24日放送）

While new restaurants are constantly opening, there are also some that have been around for a long time. In "The Long-Seller: There's a Reason It's Loved," we spotlight restaurants in Hokkaido that have been in business for over 50 years and explore why they're beloved. This time... Christmas is just one month away! We introduce a seasonal favorite among Otaru residents. Established 69 Years Ago: Otaru Residents' Favorite Half-Deep Fried Chicken Program Staff: "What do Otaru residents eat for Christmas?" Otaru Resident: "Half-Deep Fried Naruto!" Otaru Resident: "I always have naruto. Half-Deep Fried Chicken!" Otaru Resident: "Naruto! Half-Deep Fried Chicken! It's my number one choice! Every year!" This year marks the 69th anniversary of the establishment of "Wakadori Jidai Naruto Main Store." Shortly after opening, the restaurant was nearly full. But one particularly popular order is... The restaurant's long-selling "Half-Deep Fried Young Chicken." This hearty dish features a light salty flavor and is so filling you won't be able to stop eating once you start. In the kitchen is Tetsuya Abe, the founder's grandson and vice president. Program staff: "How many do you sell in a day?" Tetsuya Abe: "About 350-400 on weekdays. In terms of kilograms, I'd say about 150 kilograms." The chickens used are young chickens from Nakasatsunai. They are marinated overnight in a secret salt and pepper recipe. Next, the fully prepared young chickens are placed into hot oil. Fry the skin side for 4 minutes and the underside for 4 minutes, all at once. And that's it! Or so you think...? Tetsuya Abe: "The chicken fillet isn't cooked through, so I put a knife in there. Then I fry the inside." Naruto's famous "double frying" technique! This extra step ensures the skin is even crispier and more fragrant, while the inside is plump and juicy. Program Staff: "What's the busiest season?" Abe Tetsuya: "It's definitely the coming season. From Christmas to New Year's. It's our big time. We sell about 1,200 a day." Now, customers come from all over the country in search of that flavor. From Osaka: "My niece told me this place was delicious, so I came here. The skin is crispy and the inside is plump and soft. It's delicious." Program Staff: "Do you always come here when you visit Hokkaido?" From Iwate: "Yes! I come here every time I'm in Otaru!" From Australia: "It's so delicious!" The story behind the birth of deep-fried chicken halves Why did it become so popular in the seaside town of Otaru? Looking back at the history of its creation... Tetsuya Abe: "My grandparents were from Awaji Island, and when they came to Otaru, they started out as an okonomiyaki restaurant." My grandfather, Torao Kurishima, was from Awaji Island. After visiting Otaru during his time in the navy, he decided to move there after leaving the military. Tetsuya Abe: "My grandfather was a very curious person, and when he came to Otaru, he thought, 'This town has so much potential,' so he decided to come here and that's how the restaurant started." Naruto is an okonomiyaki restaurant named after the Naruto Strait on Awaji Island, his hometown. While they also serve chicken on a teppanyaki griddle, they struggled with preserving it. Tetsuya Abe: "Chicken tends to spoil quickly, so to free up our stock, we tried steaming half a whole chicken on a teppanyaki griddle. We served it to our regular customers and it was delicious." The steamed dish was a big hit! However... Tetsuya Abe: "Steaming takes about 30 minutes. My grandfather fried the whole chicken in a regular tempura pan (to save time). That's how the current version of the restaurant came about." When deep-fried in high-temperature oil, it's ready in about 10 minutes! And so, this hugely popular dish was born! He reflects on his childhood spent with his grandfather, the founder, Torao. Tetsuya Abe: "It may sound like a luxury, but as a child, I felt like I could eat it anytime, so even if someone asked me if I wanted to eat it, I'd say no, not really. It wasn't really a 'Wow!' moment." Tetsuya Abe: "Now that I'm an adult and I'm eating it again, I understand why it was so popular, and it really brings home to me how delicious it was." TV Staff: "How long have you been coming here?" Otaru Resident: "About 40 years ago." Otaru Resident: "I've been eating it since I was a child, so it's been decades. I periodically crave it." TV Staff: "Do you remember the first time you tried the fried chicken?" Regular Customer: "I thought it was exquisite." TV Staff: "Do you ever get tired of eating it?" Regular Customer: "I never get tired of it, no matter how many times you eat it?" Regular Customer: "I never get tired of it. Of course. It's the best in the world. It's probably the best in Japan." The reason it's so beloved... Abe Tetsuya: "The main reason is that we've inherited the flavors left behind by our predecessors and are continuing to preserve them. And, of course, our commitment to ta...