'The best garlic flavor ever' Hokkahokkatei 'Black Fried Chicken Bento' tasting review, with Mondamin included as a bonus to combat bad breath

The ' Black Fried Chicken Bento ' will be available as a new menu item at Hokka Hokka Tei on March 16, 2026. By marinating chicken thighs in a secret garlic soy sauce, the fried chicken is said to have the 'best garlic flavor ever.' I attended the 'Hokka Hokka Tei Black Fried Chicken Bento Media Tasting Event,' where I got to try the Black Fried Chicken Bento before anyone else.

Limited-time new release of the Black Fried Chicken series! | Hokkahokkatei

The person in charge explained about the karaage (fried chicken) in the karaage bento. They use a mist thawing method to keep the chicken juicy. The batter is thin and has a crispy texture. Since there is a time lag between making the bento and eating it, the batter is optimized to be perfect.

The purchase price of chicken has increased by about 1.75 times compared to three years ago, but Hokka Hokka Tei keeps the selling price low by cooking in-house at a group company.

So, a black fried chicken bento containing five pieces of black fried chicken was brought to me. On the right is the chicken in black vinegar sauce lunch, which was released on March 1, 2026.

The Kuroage bento looks like this. In addition to five pieces of Kuroage, it also comes with side dishes such as broccoli, potato salad, cabbage, and pasta.

The moment you open the lid, the aroma of garlic and soy sauce wafts out.

It looks like this when regular fried chicken (left) and black fried chicken (right) are lined up.

First, I tried the regular fried chicken, which had juicy chicken thighs wrapped in a crispy batter and a rich flavor.

Next, I tried the black fried chicken, and the strong flavor of garlic and soy sauce spread the moment I put it in my mouth. The batter is thin, so the flavor of the chicken marinated in the garlic-flavored sauce comes through directly, which is an interesting point. The black fried chicken has a very strong flavor, so much so that regular fried chicken seems lighter in comparison. Incidentally, as wearing masks has become commonplace amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing movement to 'eat garlic dishes without worrying about bad breath,' which is apparently what led to the extra garlic flavoring in this black fried chicken bento.

The robust flavor of garlic and soy sauce makes the rice go down smoothly. The cabbage and broccoli make a nice palate cleanser.

As you eat one or two pieces of black fried chicken, you will gradually get used to the taste and aroma. However, your breath will inevitably start to smell like garlic. Starting March 19, 2026, a campaign will be launched in which you will receive a 100ml bottle of Mondamin with every purchase of a black fried chicken bento. This is a great campaign that will allow people who think, 'The black fried chicken bento looks delicious, but are worried about the smell,' to eat it with peace of mind.

The Black Fried Chicken Bento is scheduled to be released on March 16, 2026, with a box of four fried chicken costing 680 yen (tax included) and a box of five fried chicken costing 760 yen (tax included). The Black Fried Chicken Special, which includes three pieces of fried chicken as well as popcorn shrimp, croquettes, and sausages, will also be available for 820 yen (tax included). The campaign to receive free Mondamin will begin a little later on March 19. Please note that prices may vary depending on the store.