Korean fried chicken. Theres a good chance youve heard people around the world singing its praises. With its perfectly succulent tenderness, incredibly crispy skin, and trademark glaze thats equally sticky, sweet, and spicy, its no wonder why Korean fried chicken is winning the world over one drumstick at a time. Irresistibly indulgent, undeniably delicious, and increasingly accessible, Korean fried chicken is taking the crown to become the undisputed king of freshly-fried fare.
For those who have tried Korean fried chicken before and loved it, there may still be some things you want to know. We looked into these questions and more and found the answers. How did Korean fried chicken become so popular so quickly? Is there a secret ingredient that makes it so tasty? When did the first Korean fried chicken restaurant open? So grab yourself a box of this famously juicy chicken that started on a distant subtropical peninsula and prepare to have your hunger and curiosity satisfied. Here is the untold truth of Korean fried chicken.
Korean fried chicken has taken the world by storm. In the past ten years, it has gone from being a small, unknown Korean pub snack to a worldwide food phenomenon. But what is it about this crispy, flavorful fried chicken that makes it so addicting?
As a seasoned food blogger with years of culinary experience, I’ve become obsessed with unraveling the secrets behind Korean fried chicken’s meteoric rise. After extensive research and countless tasting sessions, I’ve identified four key factors that explain why this dish is so incredibly craveworthy:
The Signature Double Fry Technique
The cornerstone of exceptional Korean fried chicken is its distinctive double frying method. Unlike American fried chicken which is fried just once Korean chicken gets dunked into the hot oil twice.
The initial fry at a lower temperature of around 300-325°F cooks the chicken thoroughly while rendering out excess fat and creating an insulating layer of moisture. After a brief rest, the chicken goes back into the oil for round two at a higher 350-375°F. This second fry at a higher temperature is what gives the chicken its shatteringly crisp, almost wispy ultra-crunchy crust.
When you use this double-frying method, the chicken gets a very light and crispy outside that crackles when you bite into it. At the same time, the inside stays very soft and moist. This mix of textures is what makes Korean fried chicken so tasty.
The Complexity of Authentic Korean Seasonings
Even though the double fry is what makes Korean fried chicken unique, it’s the flavors that really set it apart. Korean chicken has a lot of different flavors, not just salt and pepper like American fried chicken. It has sweet, spicy, savory, and umami flavors.
Gochujang, which is Korea’s national condiment, is often used as the spicy base for sauces. There are hints of spice and sweetness in this fermented red chili paste that stay with you. Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey are some other common Korean seasonings that are used to balance out the heat and make flavor symphonies that make you want more.
From the classic yangnyeom with its sticky, sweet and spicy glaze to soy garlic and honey butter varieties, Korean chicken sauces tantalize your taste buds with every bite.
The Significance of Quality Ingredients
In Korean cooking culture, there’s an unwavering dedication to using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. This insistence on premium ingredients shines through in Korean fried chicken.
The chicken itself is always fresh, never frozen. The garlic and ginger provide a purity of flavor. Even the gochujang chili paste used in the sauces is specially made in the traditional manner for maximum flavor.
Unlike some Western fried chicken recipes that rely on powdered garlic or ginger, Koreans would never dream of taking shortcuts when it comes to ingredient quality. This produces chicken bursting with authentic, clean flavors in every juicy bite.
The Crucial Accompaniments That Cleanse the Palate
No Korean fried chicken experience is complete without the customary sides and banchan (small dishes). The usual suspects include pickled radish, coleslaw, stir fried rice cakes, and french fries.
The tangy, crunchy pickles and quick pickled vegetables serve as palate cleansers between the ultrarich fried chicken. Their bright acidity and crisp texture cuts through the chicken’s grease and resets your tastebuds after each piece. It’s this alternating of flavors and textures that keeps you going back for more.
Why Korean Fried Chicken Became a Global Phenomenon
Initially popularized in Korea as comfort bar food, Korean fried chicken started gaining international recognition in the early 2000s. Its surge in popularity globally stems from several factors:
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The universal popularity of fried chicken got a flavor injection from the complex Korean sauces and seasonings
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The lighter, airier crust from the double fry was revelatory for fried chicken lovers
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The Korean Wave of pop culture exposed many people to the cuisine for the first time
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Food TV shows and social media accelerated its fame as people shared their Korean chicken experiences
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Korean chicken restaurants started popping up in cities around the world
Thanks to its craveable flavors and textures, Korean fried chicken has secured its place as a new global food obsession. While primarily enjoyed socially with drinks in Korea, it has adapted to local dining cultures as it expanded internationally.
No matter where you eat it, the combination of tender juiciness enveloped by a shatteringly crisp crust, enhanced by sweet and spicy Korean seasonings, is impossible to resist. It’s no wonder Korean fried chicken became a worldwide sensation. Once you try it, you’ll immediately understand why it’s so addictively delicious. The only question is: which Korean chicken place will you visit first?
There’s a special word for Korean fried chicken and beer
You can learn a lot about whats important to a culture by its language and unique vocabulary. The glorious mix of hot fried chicken and cold beer is so beloved in Korea that theres a special word in the Korean language to describe their harmonious combination. The word “chimaek” joins together the word chicken with the Korean word “maekju” which translates to beer (via CNN).
In South Korean drinking culture, its very important to keep eating while you consume alcohol (via Maangchi). And while chimaek is one of the best examples of this, theres a wide range of drinking snacks – called “anju” – to choose from in Korea. Some popular anju dishes include grilled pork belly, kimchi stews, mung bean pancakes, spicy pork, and braised octopus. As it turns out, the Korean tradition of continuing to eat during longer drinking sessions is a pretty good idea. According to Insider, consuming food can stop you from getting too drunk by slowing down alcohol absorption. And eating some fried chicken or fresh slabs of crispy pork belly sounds like the best possible way to do that.
A surprise ingredient makes it extra crispy
No one likes soggy fried chicken. A big part of the appeal of fried chicken is biting into its perfectly seasoned, crispy outside with its crunchy battered crags. While achieving a sufficient level of crunch can be accomplished in a variety of different ways, some methods work better than others. One of the most effective ingredients just might be one that youve never tried before.
According to Life Hacker, the secret ingredient in the best Korean fried chicken batter is vodka, which only requires two tablespoons for every cup of marinade. Because vodka is more inherently volatile than other brines, it swiftly and fiercely evaporates on the surface of the chicken skin when submerged in hot oil, creating more bubbles that harden on the exterior to create more texture. Were willing to bet that using a splash or two of soju – the most popular spirit in the world (thats often referred to as “Korean vodka“) – will also do the trick. Once again, it seems that alcohol and fried chicken are pretty much the perfect pairing.
Why Korean Rotisserie is Better than Fried Chicken
FAQ
What is special about Korean chicken?
What is different about Korean fried chicken? Unlike traditional American fried chicken, Korean fried chicken is coated in a flavorful sauce after frying. This sauce adds a sweet, savory, fiery kick to the crispy chicken, creating a unique and delicious flavor combination that’s finger lickin’ good!.
Why is Korean fried chicken so addictive?
Cultural Influence: The dish reflects a combination of traditional Korean flavors and modern culinary techniques, making it a popular choice both in Korea and internationally. Overall, the combination of cooking methods, flavor profiles, and presentation contributes to the irresistible appeal of Korean fried chicken.
Why is Korean meat so good?
Quality of Ingredients: High-quality, fresh meat and seafood are essential in Korean cuisine. The emphasis on freshness ensures that raw dishes are safe to eat and enjoyable. Many Korean restaurants focus on sourcing the best ingredients, which contributes to the popularity of raw meat dishes.
Is Korean chicken healthy?
Even though Korean fried chicken can be part of a healthy diet, it’s not always a good choice because it’s fried in a lot of fat and calories.
Why is Korean fried chicken so popular?
Korean fried chicken. There’s a good chance you’ve heard people around the world singing its praises. It’s easy to see why Korean fried chicken is taking over the world, one drumstick at a time. The chicken is perfectly juicy and tender, the skin is incredibly crispy, and the glaze is a unique mix of sticky, sweet, and spicy.
Why does Korean fried chicken taste so good?
So while it’s true that Korean fried chicken tastes great partly because of its unique sauces, it’s also true that it has something to do with the physical makeup of the Korean chickens themselves.
What can you learn from Korean fried chicken?
The bottom line is this: If you dig fried chicken and you love the taste of cheese, trying out some Korean fried chicken tossed in a little sauce and some cheese powder is a surefire way to light up your tastebuds. You can learn a lot about what’s important to a culture by its language and unique vocabulary.
Why is Chikin so popular in Korea?
Fried chicken restaurants continued becoming increasingly common, leading the dish, by sheer volume, to become a favorite amongst Koreans. Of course, Korean dramas like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo that feature the tasty dish have helped it become more well-known.
What is Korean fried chicken?
Irresistibly indulgent, undeniably delicious, and increasingly accessible, Korean fried chicken is taking the crown to become the undisputed king of freshly-fried fare. Even if you’re well-acquainted with the delicious magic of Korean fried chicken, you may have a few lingering questions about this dish.
Is Korean fried chicken dying down?
With many Korean Fried Chicken stores opening overseas, it looks like this popular food trend won’t be dying down anytime soon. There are over 50,000 fried chicken restaurants in South Korea and (other than the obvious fact that it is just delicious) there is a surprising reason for it.