Editor's Picks: 10 Seriously Addicting Korean Fried Chicken To Fall In Love With
Even your Oppa will agree
Korean-style fried chicken has been available in Metro Manila for quite a few years now, but when we watched Crash Landing On You's Captain Ri and Yoon Se-ri sharing fried chicken and beer while watching the first snowfall in that North Korean restaurant, well, it triggered a craving. And that craving’s still with us, even after a lot of reruns of that show.
The secret to good Korean-style fried chicken is the double-frying to achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Plus, the chicken pieces are dredged in flour then tossed in a mixture that might include soy sauce, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, or honey. The result is an addictive fried chicken that’s become our ultimate comfort food. Just one bite makes us smile, lifts our spirits, makes us want to eat more and more. Pair this chicken with cold beer or soju and you’ve got the perfect meal for your next Kdrama binge.
Our Top 10 KFC: Korean Fried Chicken
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The Grid Food Market
Chef Patrick Go still makes some of the best Korean fried chicken in town, happily available from his stall, Gochu-Gang, at The Grid Food Market. We love the perfect balance of crispness and juiciness. Choose from two flavors: sweet soy garlic or chili glaze. Opt for wings or boneless. The chicken is also available in potluck trays good for four to five people — so you have enough for your next kdrama marathon. Order for delivery at (0917) 707-7459, (0917) 702-2534, or order online at bit.ly/PotluckSelections or thegrid.eunoiaph.com
Photo Credit: @gochugangph
Oori at Sheraton Manila
Korean chef Kibum Park is known for following traditional Korean techniques in his cooking. His Dakgangjung is a deboned chicken with a deliciously crisp exterior and a rich caramelized sweet-spicy sauce that lingers on your tongue. Enjoy this with bibimbap or, even better, a selection of banchan. Order online at https://bit.ly/2Blrihd or call (02) 7902-1800
Photo Credit: @sheratonmanila
24 Chicken
Popular among Manila residents, 24 Kitchen has been making superbly delicious and affordable Korean fried chicken for quite some time now. They have seven flavors, including fun variants like snow cheese or garlic, and order sizes are available in whole chicken, half chicken, three pieces and two pieces. With branches in Taft, Leon Guinto, Pedro Gil, Legarda, Mendiola, Dapitan, España, Glorietta and Binondo. Order from @24chickenph on FB or IG
Photo Credit: @24chickenph
Rolling Tubs
A newcomer to kfever dining, this home cook has a kdrama-themed menu that she calls #CrashLunchingOnYou. We don’t mind if we do! Her CKC Korean Chicken Wings come in a six-piece set. You might as well order the entire menu, which includes kimchi fried rice with egg, and chapchae good for two persons. Now you’re ready to watch Crash Landing On ¥ou (or rewatch it, if you’ve finished the series. It just never gets old). Order from @rollingtubs on IG.
Photo Credit: @rollingtubs
Big Mama Korean Restaurant
We’ve known people to be obsessed with the fried chicken at Big Mama, waxing poetic about the crispy skin, and how perfectly it goes with beer and rice. Available in six variants, we admit to being partial to the soy sauce chicken. While you’re at it, have a taste of their samgyupsal too. 29 Polaris Street, Makati. Or order from @bigmamarestaurant on FB.
Photo Credit: @bigmamarestaurant
Annyeong Korean Chicken
They claim to have the crispiest, juiciest and biggest Korean fried chicken in town. You’ll love the big portions, the bold flavors, and the multigrain rice. Order a bucket at @annyeongchickenph on IG or FB.
Photo Credit: annyeongchickenph
Kyochon
I love Kyochon's fun chicken variations, especially the Red Series which gets spicy heat from Korean chili peppers, and the Rice Series that's especially crisp from rice flour, and is served with green salt, honey garlic and sweet chili sauce. With branches at SM Megamall and Robinsons Place Manila, order via GrabFood, FoodPanda or send a message through @kyochonph on FB.
Photo Credit: @kyochonph
Chi Mac Chicken & Beer
This no-frills restaurant has some of the best Korean fried chicken in town. We adore the sweet and spicy chicken (choose from mild, medium or hot), and the soy sauce chicken. And then there’s the fun variation: cheese snow chicken. Order in half or whole, with cold beer or a few bottles of soju. Please try the chimac tortilla and their kimchi pancakes, too. Aseana Square, Parañaque, (0977) 306-4300.
Photo Credit: Chi Mac Chicken & Beer on FB
Gaja Korean Kitchen
If you want leveled up Korean fried chicken, Chef Marc Justin Tee creates superb Korean dishes with traditional flavors, but using modern techniques. You’ll love the Kimchi Fried Chicken with its unique flavor that is enhanced by a sweet sesame soy reduction. Enjoy this with a soju and yakult cocktail. 8445 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati, or order online at linktr.ee/GajaPH.
Photo Credit: @gajaph
Gimbap EATcetera
For well-made Korean homecooked fried chicken, try Gimbap EATcetera's Yagnyeom Chicken, crisp and spicy and addicting. Order from (0915) 623 3417, or @gimbapeatcetera on FB or IG.
Photo Credit: @gimbapeatcetera
Lead photo credits: @kyochonph, @gimbapeatcetera, Chi Mac Chicken & Beer