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Korean fried chicken is thin-crusted, very crunchy chicken, served plain or coated in a sauce. Korean chicken chains now have restaurants in many U.S. cities. But the menus can be confusing if you’ve never had it.

This guide explains the main flavors, how hot each one is, and what to order first at bb.q Chicken, Bonchon, Kyochon, and other Korean chains.

What Is Korean Fried Chicken?

In Korean, it’s simply called chikin (치킨). Most shops fry it twice. The first fry cooks the meat, and the second makes the outside crunchy. The batter is thin, so the crust is crisp and light, not thick and bready.

It’s mostly a takeout and delivery food in Korea. People order it in the evening, open the box on the table, and share. Chicken with beer is so popular that the combo has its own name: chimaek (치맥), from “chikin” plus “maekju,” the Korean word for beer.

Plain, Soy Garlic, or Yangnyeom? The Main Flavors

Every chain has its own names, but most flavors fall into a few groups:

• Plain or “original”: crispy, salty, and garlicky, with no sauce
• Soy garlic: a brown, salty-sweet glaze. Not spicy.
• Honey or honey garlic: sweet and sticky. Not spicy.
• Yangnyeom (양념, “YANG-nyum”): the classic red sauce. Sweet first, then mildly spicy, with a little tang from ketchup.
• Spicy or hot: a red chili glaze with real heat
• Cheese powder: chicken dusted with a sweet, salty cheese seasoning

Can’t decide? Korean shops are famous for half and half, called banban (반반). You get two flavors in one order.

How Spicy Is It?

Here’s how the flavor groups compare on our 0 to 3 spice scale:

Heat varies by brand, so treat this as a starting point. Our Korean spice guide rates other Korean dishes on the same scale.

Korean Fried Chicken Chains in the U.S.

Korean chains are easiest to find in places with large Korean communities, such as Southern California, New York, New Jersey, and the Washington, D.C., area. But bb.q and Bonchon now have locations in more than 25 states each. Each brand below has a link to its official location finder, which is the best way to see what’s open near you.

bb.q Chicken

One of the biggest Korean chains in the U.S., with a long menu. Golden Original is the plain crispy chicken. Secret Sauce is their sweet, tangy, mildly spicy sauce, close to classic yangnyeom.

First order: half Golden Original, half Secret Sauce. Not into spice? Try Soy Garlic or Honey Garlic.

Find a bb.q Chicken location

Bonchon

Known for small, thin-skinned wings and drumsticks with a crackly crust. The core flavors are Soy Garlic, Spicy, Korean BBQ, and Yangnyeom.

First order: a wings and drumsticks combo, half Soy Garlic and half Spicy. Spicy has real heat, so the Soy Garlic half gives you a break.

Find a Bonchon location

Kyochon

Kyochon keeps its menu short. Soy Garlic is its original flavor, Red is the spicy one made with red chili peppers, and Honey is sweet and sticky.

First order: half Soy Garlic and half Red.

Kyochon has only a few U.S. locations so far, mostly in Southern California. Visit Kyochon’s U.S. site to see where they are.

Other names you may see

• Pelicana: one of the older Korean chicken brands, known for classic yangnyeom sauce. It runs separate West Coast and East Coast sites. Find a Pelicana location
• BHC: newer to the U.S., with about 10 locations so far. Its best-known item, Bburinkle, is coated in a sweet cheese seasoning. Find a BHC location
• CM Chicken: its signature flavors include Snow Onion chicken and Padak, a fried chicken topped with green onions. Visit CM Chicken’s site

Which Korean Fried Chicken Chains Are in Your State?

This table shows the states where you’ll find the most Korean chicken brands. It was last checked in November 2026. Locations open and close often, so use the brand links above to confirm before you go.

bb.q and Bonchon also have locations in many other states, including Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Colorado, Minnesota, North Carolina, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. Don’t see your state? Check the bb.q and Bonchon location finders first, since they cover the most states.

How to Order Korean Fried Chicken

• Pick a cut. Most chains offer bone-in wings, drumsticks, a mix, or boneless pieces.
• Pick one or two flavors. Half and half is a normal request.
• Expect to wait. The chicken is fried to order, so 20 minutes or more is common. Ordering ahead online helps.
• Ask for pickled radish. Small cubes of sweet, sour radish come with the chicken in Korea. Many U.S. shops include them or sell them as a side.
• Add a Korean side. Many shops also sell tteokbokki (chewy rice cakes in spicy sauce), kimchi, and Korean-style corn cheese.

Is Korean Fried Chicken Vegetarian?

No. Even the sauces can contain fish sauce, oyster sauce, or honey, and everything is usually fried in shared oil. If you’re vegetarian, ask the shop about ingredients before ordering. At home, you can make the sauce vegan and use cauliflower or tofu. Our baked recipe shows how.

Make Korean Fried Chicken at Home Without Frying

Want that sweet and spicy flavor at home? You don’t need a deep fryer. Our baked Korean fried chicken recipe uses an oven or air fryer, a little olive oil, and one small pot of sauce made with ingredients from a regular supermarket.

Korean Fried Chicken FAQ

Why does Korean fried chicken take so long?

It’s cooked to order and usually fried twice. That second fry is what makes the crust so crunchy.

Do Koreans eat fried chicken with rice?

Not usually. It’s eaten as a snack or late dinner on its own, with pickled radish on the side.

What’s the difference between yangnyeom and soy garlic?

Yangnyeom is red, sweet, and mildly spicy. Soy garlic is brown, salty-sweet, and has no heat.

What do Koreans drink with fried chicken?

Beer is the classic choice. Cola is a popular choice too.

For a first visit, order half plain and half soy garlic or yangnyeom, add pickled radish, and share it. Once you know which flavor you like, try making the sauced version at home.