Move over to Kentucky Fried Chicken, there’s another KFC in town, and it’s taking the world by storm! Korean fried chicken, also known as “the other KFC” and “candy chicken,” is a unique but equally delicious Korean-style take on the classic deep-fried chicken we all know and love.
Its crispy, fried-to-perfection exterior and juicy, tender interior is already addicting as it is, but pair that with its trademark sticky, sweet, and spicy glazes, and you’ve got yourself Korean-style chicken that’s truly flavorful and undeniably delicious.
As more and more people fall in love with the mouthwatering flavor of Korean fried chicken, its popularity has reached global recognition and has quickly become a crowd favorite. But what exactly is the story behind this global phenomenon?
The origins of Korean fried chicken
The concept of frying chicken can be traced back to Korea’s early Joseon Dynasty, under the name “pogye” (포계). It was a simple dish prepared by stir-frying chicken with flour, vinegar, and soy sauce seasoning until the liquid has been reduced, and you’re left with a crispy exterior.
While the idea of frying chicken isn’t entirely new, the cooking method was a relatively uncommon practice. When it comes to chicken, Koreans at the time more commonly boiled it in stews, such as the iconic Korean ginseng chicken soup or “samgyetang.”
The 1950s: The introduction of American southern-style fried chicken
American fried chicken found its way to Korea in the1950ss during the Korean War. It all started when American soldiers stationed in the country wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving, but opted to use American southern-style fried chicken as a substitute for the unavailability of turkey. They shared the feast with fellow Korean compatriots, thus introducing them to a new flavor and experience.
The 1960s: The rise of rotisserie chicken
However, fried chicken would still take a while to become a staple food in the country. Korea in the1960s was experiencing post-war economic struggles, but despite the country’s state, they welcomed the first-ever rotisserie chicken shop in Myeongdong Yeongyang Center in Seoul.
The store sold whole chickens cooked in an electric oven. After that, rotisserie chicken, also called “yellow bag chicken” because of its packaging, became a luxury dish — usually something brought home by fathers as a special treat or to celebrate occasions.
1977: The birth of Lim’s Chicken
Korea’s economic boom and industrialization, also called “The Miracle on the Han River,” gave way to more disposable income and lower prices for chicken and other goods. As a result, more and more people began opening fried chicken joints, and the market expanded. As a result, Lim’s Chicken was Korea’s first fried chicken franchise.
1984: The arrival of KFC
The rapid rise of fried chicken’s popularity in Korea caught the eye of the American fried chicken chain Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC, and they officially opened their first store in the country in 1984. During this time, fried chicken became popular, usually paired with beer (maekju,맥주.) This delicious combo is called “chimney” (치맥.)
The 1990s: The birth of yangnyeom chicken
The popularity of fried chicken only continued to rise in the early1990ss and welcomed new flavors and techniques. Koreans managed to take classic deep-fried chicken and add their twist— making an addictingly sweet, spicy, sticky glaze using tasty “gochujang” (고추장) as a base and with sesame seed toppings.
This genius creation is the famous “yangnyeom” (양념) chicken, or seasoned chicken, the first of its kind and just one of the many Korean fried chicken flavors that are taking over the world.
The making of Korean fried chicken
Soaked in spices to absorb the flavor, fried twice to retain tenderness and moisture, but still create a crispy texture, and dressed or dipped in trademark sauces goes into making the exquisite taste of Korean fried chicken. Making this delicious dish is a labor of love and requires a lot of skill and precision.
Korean fried chicken: A global phenomenon
Thanks to its irresistible taste and the unstoppable popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop, K-style chicken is now a worldwide obsession alongside other globally famous Korean dishes like bulgogi, ramyeon, and bibimbap. As a result, Korean fried chicken has become Korea’s transnational comfort food and a must-try culinary experience. So grab a box today and try it yourself!
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