South Korea and Fried Chicken. A match made in culinary heaven.
Wanting to get the low down on this foodie craze? No worries, this guide will leave you yearning for fried goodness. Here you'll learn about:
- Why fried chicken is so popular in South Korea
- How to make fried chicken in South Korea
- How to whip it up at home (if you so dare!)
- Where to find the best fried chicken in Australia
- All the basic terminology you need to order fried chicken in South Korea
- The best places to get your friend chicken top up in South Korea
️⭐️ KLOOK x KTO GIVEAWAY: SOUTH KOREA FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM - FOOD ⭐️
️⭐️ KLOOK x KTO GIVEAWAY: SOUTH KOREA FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM ⭐️
Klook has partnered with the Korean Tourism Organization (Sydney Office) to bring the best of South Korea right to your doorstep! Whilst you can't travel now, we wanted to make sure you can still experience the best of Korea's yummy foodie culture.
To celebrate, we'll be giving away a deluxe Korean foodie box including a selection of trending Korean snacks, Makgeolli and a Korean BBQ grill plate worth $200!
Entries close 11:59pm AEDT on 12 Nov 2020. The winner will be announced 13 Nov 2020 and contacted via email.
1. South Korea + Fried Chicken - why?
If you know anything about South Korea, it's probably got something to do with its famous fried chicken. On many a corner in Seoul's streets, you'll find a small chicken joint that serves up ample amounts of fried goodness for the locals everyday. In fact, South Korea now has 87,000 chicken spots - that's more than double the amount of every McDonalds in the world!
But why is it that South Korea is now just as known for its fried chicken as say, KFC?!
Well, it's a relatively new phenomena with exponential growth in chicken joints occurring since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Many career men turned to owning quick-serve restaurants for a steady cash-flow for their families. And in turn, many customers looked for cheap eats. And so the necessary love of fried chicken began!
2. Learn the fried chicken lingo - for South Korea
When in South Korea, learn some simple terms, so you know how and what to order. Fried chicken in Seoul is an institution here, and these words will help you in your eating pursuits!
- Koreans love their late-night snacks and call them 'Yasik.'
- Your basic order is spicy sauce with plain fried chicken, ‘Yangnyeom Chicken’. ‘Yangnyeom’ means seasoning in Korean.
- The popular combo of chicken and beer is a beauty, and is known as 'Chimaek.'
- ‘Ganjang Chicken’ is a tasty option which is soy sauce fried chicken in Korean.
- Then there's garlic fried chicken – ask for 'Maneul' or if you feel like trying something new, order 'Chiso' which is chicken and soju. Yum!
3. How to make fried chicken - in South Korea
It’s one thing to wrap your taste buds around superb Korean fried chicken while in Seoul. It’s another to learn how to cook it yourself. So here are some ways to get an immersive experience, and get on the Korean fried chicken bandwagon.
From market, to kitchen to table
Cook like the experts
Don your apron and throw yourself into this Korean Fried Chicken Cooking Class with 10 Types of Korean Traditional Wine and Market Tour with a professional Korean chef. Your instructor will take you through making a chimaek (fried chick and beer) which is a much loved cultural combo. Meet up with your chef and other aspiring cooks, then go to market together to select your ingredients. Learn about local food and market culture before you go to the kitchen to get cooking. After all your hard work, you’ll get to enjoy the spoils – paired with a cold glass of beer. Savour your maangchi fried chicken meal. When you return home, you’ll be able to share your new skill by inviting friends and family over for dinner!
4. How to make fried chicken - back at home
DIY fried chicken
Spice up your BBQ
Put a 1.4 kg whole chicken or Korean chicken wings, cut into pieces into a bowl. Add the 2 tbsp rice wine, 2 tsp minced ginger, 1 tsp fine sea salt and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper and combine these ingredients. Then coat the chicken with 1 cup potato or corn starch and put it aside.
In a deep saucepan or deep fryer, heat a good amount of oil such as rice bran oil, to 175 C. Begin putting the coated chicken in and frying until cooked. Each piece should take 3-5 minutes – whatever you do, don't put too much in at a time.
As each piece of chicken is done, take them out and put them on kitchen paper to soak up the extra oil. When deep fry number one is done, it’s time for each piece of chicken to go back in for more frying. Again, wait until the oil is 175 C then fry again until the batter is crispy and golden in colour. Fry number two is shorter, 2-3 minutes per piece.
Now it’s time to make your sauce. In a new saucepan, add 3 tbsp tomato sauce, 2-2 1/2 tbsps of gochujang (Korean chilli paste), 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp minced garlic and 1 tbsp sesame oil.
Heat your sauce on low-medium and keep stirring. When it begins to bubble, take it off the heat. Then put your fried chicken into a big mixing bowl and pour your fried chicken sauce over your chicken and mix to coat. You can also serve your sauce separately as a dipping sauce. Serve your Korean chicken with Pickled radish and cucumbers which balance the oily taste.
Just add kimchi
Never enough kimchi
What is Kimchi? Basically – it’s a much-loved, spicy Korean side dish. What is Kimchi made of? This national food is created from salted, fermented vegetables, usually cabbage and radishes – these are the types of Kimchi. Like a party in your mouth, Kimchi gets its unique kick from a paste made of chili powder, garlic, ginger, red pepper and sugar. But its most recognisable tang comes from fish sauce. What to eat with Kimchi? Well, pretty much everything: eat it for breakfast, eat it on the side, eat it with fried chicken or eat it as a snack by itself. Kimchi: yum!
5. Where to eat fried chicken - in South Korea
If you spend even the shortest amount of time in Seoul, you’ll soon learn all about the local love for their Korean fried chicken. Ever wondered – where’s the Korean fried chicken near me? Wonder no more – to get a taste of the best in town, hit up these 10 spots for a start.
At the traditional street markets
Your first stop for a cheap, local eat are where else but the street markets - and these places serve up endless amounts of fried chicken! Luckily, the Korean Tourism Organisation has a comprehensive list here so you can find the right market for your chicken needs.
The Tongin Market in Seoul, for example, has over 75 stores with many serving up a sizeable fried feast. The Gwangjang Markets are foodie central and have a long, long strip of vendors with interesting and unique mouthwatering local foods. Alternatively if you're looking for something different, the Chuncheon Romanantic Markets (outside of Seoul) are most famous for their glazed fried chicken bites and spicy stir-fried chicken.
An authentic chicken dinner
Finger-licking goooood
Get a guaranteed Korean-style authentic fried chicken meal. With a Chicken 678 in Myeongdong voucher, you can make your way to this casual fried chicken joint which is located in a corner of the bustling Myeongdong quarter. Eat like a local and chow down on the chicken sets; enjoy the restaurant’s specialty – fried chicken cooked at a low temperature for a tender taste.
Sai Chicken 사이 치킨
Fast emerging as a star player on the fried chicken front, this restaurant is a solid chicken joint. To complement your chicken delight, the fries here are among Seoul’s most outstanding.
Chicken in the Kitchen
This in-demand place is so popular; people line up to get in. All items on their menu are made with fresh and local ingredients. It's simple – choose plain or fried chicken, with or without sauce. Then there's wedges, onion rings or rice cakes for sides.
Poulet Chicken 뿔레치킨
This place thinks outside the fried chicken square. Try the star of their menu – Carbonara Chicken. The mouth-watering combo of creamy carbonara with fried chicken. Poulet Chicken even have their own craft beer that goes perfectly with their main menu items.
Reggae Chicken 레게치킨 썬샤인
This reggae themed place thinks outside the fried chicken square. Dine on curry chicken and curry popcorn – this is not your average Korean joint.
Oksang Dalbit 옥상달빛
Get your camera ready because here, your chicken is served flaming. Once you’ve got a pic, blow out your dinner, then tuck into your fried and garlic pepper chicken. This restaurant is smoking!
Hanchu 한추
With more than 20 years making fried chicken, these chefs are legit chicken masters. All the locals know about this place, and they’ll tell you to try the rice cakes and Kimchi fried rice topped with an egg. The must-try menu item is the ‘gochu chicken’ which is twice-fried with chillies.
Gyeyeolsa 계열사
Fried chicken the way it’s supposed to be. Attracting patrons from everywhere, Gyeyeolsa has been cooking up golden-brown crust fried chicken for more than 25 years. It’s easily one of Seoul’s best.
Banpo Chicken 반포치킨
This place has been a Seoul institution since 1976. Come here for the roasted garlic chicken – it’s the bomb. They roast the chicken first, then they fry it. It’s delectable.
Nonsense Whole Chicken 엉터리통닭
The chicken is tender, the decor is homey, and the taste is ace. The name is fun, and the food is yum. Wash the delicious down with soju or beer.
Bong Dak Chicken 봉닭
This chicken joint is nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace. Try the two menu musts: the thin batter Korean fried chicken and the roasted, fried chicken. Sip on some soju or lightly sparkling rice wine
6. Where to buy fried chicken - back in Australia
Good news! Keep your Korean chicken love alive back in Australia. Gami Fried Chicken & Beer is Australia's original Korean fried chicken and beer joint. You can find this deliciousness in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Alternatively, attempt the recipe below!
When you’ve had your fill of fried chicken, there are plenty more foodie delights to be found at 7 Eleven. Read more abut unique Korean 7 Eleven finds here!
⭐️ What is KTO? ⭐️
KTO stands for the Korea Tourism Organization. KTO offers travel ideas, advice, and events for Aussie and Kiwi travellers to visit and learn more about South Korea!
⚡️Want to stay informed on updates to South Korea travel? Contact KTO at:⚡️
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