🍗 Why You Should Eat Chicken When You Visit Korea!
What makes Korean fried chicken so special?
There is one food you can easily find everywhere in Korea: chicken.
If you walk around almost any neighborhood, it’s easy to spot chicken restaurants. At night, it’s common to see people eating chicken at home, in parks, or near the Han River. For many foreign visitors, it can be surprising just how often Koreans eat chicken.
But Korean fried chicken is not just simple fried chicken. It has its own history, its own way of being eaten, and its own unique culture.
Why Is Korean Chicken Crispier?
One of the first things people notice when trying Korean fried chicken is the texture. Korean chicken is incredibly crispy. Compared to many Western fried chicken styles, the coating is usually much thinner and lighter.
The reason is that most Korean fried chicken is double-fried.
- The first fry cooks the chicken thoroughly
- The second fry removes extra oil and makes the outside even crispier
That’s why even after sauce is added, the chicken often stays crispy instead of getting soggy quickly.
Why Are There So Many Different Flavors?
Another big reason Korean fried chicken stands out is the huge variety of flavors.
The most famous one is Yangnyeom Chicken. It is coated with a sweet and spicy sauce, and it’s often the first flavor many foreigners try when eating Korean chicken for the first time.
There are also soy garlic chicken, garlic chicken, extra spicy chicken, honey butter, and cheese seasoning flavors.
In Korea, people often don’t order just one flavor. It’s very common to order half-and-half.
For example, half fried and half Yangnyeom, so you can enjoy two different flavors in one order. This is one of the most common ways Koreans eat chicken.
How Did Korean Chicken Culture Begin?
Korean chicken culture started in the 1970s and 1980s with something called “Tongdak,” which means whole fried chicken.
Back then, there weren’t many big brands like today. People usually bought whole fried chickens from markets or small neighborhood shops.
After the IMF financial crisis in 1997, many people started small businesses, and chicken franchises quickly grew across the country.
That is one of the main reasons why Korea has so many chicken brands today.
Chicken Is More Than Food in Korea
In Korea, chicken is not just something you eat when you’re hungry.
Korea has a special culture called Chimaek (Chicken + Beer).
It is very common for friends to gather late at night and enjoy chicken with beer together. During summer, having chimaek by the Han River is one of Seoul’s most famous late-night experiences.
It’s also very common to eat chicken while watching soccer or baseball games.
For many Koreans, chicken is not just food — it is part of everyday life.
🍽 Popular Chicken Brands You Should Try in Korea
Korea has countless chicken brands.
It’s so common that almost every neighborhood has several chicken restaurants, and each brand has its own style and flavor.
If it’s your first time trying Korean fried chicken, these are great brands to start with.
BBQ Chicken
BBQ is one of the most famous chicken brands in Korea. Its signature menu is Golden Olive Chicken. It’s often considered one of the best examples of classic Korean crispy fried chicken.
Opening Hours
11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Price Range
18,000 KRW – 28,000 KRW
Recommended Menu
Golden Olive Chicken / Yangnyeom Chicken / Jamaican Drumsticks
Delivery Available
Yes
BHC Chicken
BHC is especially popular among younger people and foreign visitors. Its signature menu, Bburinkle, is famous for its unique cheese seasoning with a sweet and savory taste. It’s one of the most unique chicken flavors in Korea.
Opening Hours
11:00 AM – 12:00 AM ~ 1:00 AM
Price Range
18,000 KRW – 24,000 KRW
Recommended Menu
Bburinkle / Macho King / Gold King
Delivery Available
Yes
Kyochon Chicken
Kyochon is one of the longest-loved chicken brands in Korea. It is especially famous for soy sauce chicken. The balance between salty and sweet flavors is excellent, and the coating is thin and crispy.
Opening Hours
11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Price Range
18,000 KRW – 22,000 KRW
Recommended Menu
Honey Combo / Red Combo / Original Soy Chicken
Delivery Available
Yes
Puradak Chicken
Puradak is known as a more premium-style chicken brand. Even the packaging feels luxurious, and the flavors are richer and stronger. Its most famous menu is Black Aglio.
Opening Hours
12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Price Range
19,000 KRW – 30,000 KRW
Recommended Menu
Black Aglio / Chili Mayo / Consomme
Delivery Available
Yes
Korea’s Chicken Delivery Culture Is Also Huge
In fact, in Korea, people order chicken delivery more often than eating it at restaurants.
It’s common to order chicken to hotels, Airbnb accommodations, homes, and even the Han River parks.
Korea’s delivery culture is very advanced, and in most cases your food arrives within 30 to 50 minutes.
If it’s your first time trying Korean fried chicken, many people recommend ordering half fried and half Yangnyeom. It’s the best way to experience the most basic and classic flavors at the same time.
Korean fried chicken is much more than fast food. It’s a food culture that has grown over decades and has become a big part of everyday life in Korea.
If you visit Korea, trying chicken and beer late at night with friends is something you should experience at least once. It might be the best way to understand why Koreans love chicken so much.
