(かたくりこ)

かたくりこ
noun
potato starch
1. potato starch
A fine white starch powder used for thickening sauces, coating foods for frying, and other culinary purposes.
片栗粉(かたくりこ)でとろみをつける。
Thicken with potato starch.
とろみをつける is the standard expression for thickening
鶏肉(とりにく)片栗粉(かたくりこ)をまぶして()げる。
Coat the chicken with potato starch and deep-fry it.
まぶす means to coat/dust with powder
水溶(みずと)片栗粉(かたくりこ)(くわ)えてください。
Please add the potato starch mixed with water.
水溶き片栗粉 is starch dissolved in water, used for thickening
スープに片栗粉(かたくりこ)()れてとろみをつけた。
I added potato starch to thicken the soup.
片栗粉(かたくりこ)使(つか)うと小麦粉(こむぎこ)よりもサクサクに()がる。
Using potato starch produces a crispier fry than wheat flour.

Originally made from the katakuri plant (dogtooth violet), but modern 片栗粉(かたくりこ) is typically potato starch (馬鈴薯(ばれいしょ)でんぷん).

Common uses:

  • Thickening agent for (あん)かけ (thick sauce dishes)
  • Coating for 唐揚(からあ)げ (creates crispier texture than flour)
  • Making わらび(もち) (warabi mochi)

Difference from 小麦粉(こむぎこ): 片栗粉(かたくりこ) creates a crispier, lighter coating and clearer thickening compared to wheat flour.