Chicken is king at Queen of Chickens, and it comes cooked every which way you can think of, but most notably it's the rotisserie chicken — skewered on a spit and slow roasted — that brings people in.
The other thing that attracts (or repels, as the case may be) diners to Queen of Chickens is the chain's obsession with the color yellow: You can't help but notice their storefronts, which are smothered in a rather strong variety of the hue. If you're looking to discern the difference between outstanding and standing out, take a few moments outside a Queen of Chicken's restaurant and you'll soon be put straight.
The branch in Saiin, due west of downtown Kyoto, has checked the "signature yellow" box in the form of noren curtains. It also has the chain's signature dish, the two-day marinated chicken, its skin encrusted with 14 herbs and spices. The other thing about the Saiin branch is that inside it feels (and is) as narrow as a chicken coop. You're as close to your neighbor and the back wall as you are to your plate of food. The seating downstairs is at the bar. There's more seating upstairs, but it's normally held over for parties and private functions.
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