Today, I will introduce 10 best Korean fried chicken in Korea that are truly loved by Koreans. It’s widely known around the world that Korean fried chicken is super delicious. Now, the question is, “Which fried chicken should I eat in Korea?” and “Which is the best brand of fried chicken?” Today, I will introduce the top 10 of them. If you choose from these 10, your Korean fried chicken experience will be complete. Let’s take a look at the 10 most popular Korean fried chicken brands and their varieties.

Delivery Food, Korean Fried Chicken

To Koreans, fried chicken is what takeout pizza is to Europeans or Americans. Of course, you can eat it in a restaurant, but most Koreans prefer to have fried chicken delivered as takeout. In fact, there are many chicken places that have no seating at all, and that’s why. If you want to try Korean chicken in an authentic way, buy a can of beer at a convenience store and have the fried chicken delivered to your home. This is what Koreans call “chimaek” (chicken and beer).

Chimaek 치맥

Have you ever heard of “chimaek”? It’s a combination of “chi” (chicken) and “maek” (maekju, which means beer). What is the best drink to go with Korean fried chicken? Without a doubt, it’s beer!

After moving to Belgium, I discovered how delicious European beers, especially Belgian and German, can be. But when it comes to Korean fried chicken, it has to be paired with Korean beer. Korean beer is highly carbonated and light, which makes it easy to drink. The strong carbonation cuts through the greasiness of the chicken, creating a perfect balance. Unlike Belgian beers, which have a strong aroma and flavor, Korean beer has a milder flavor that doesn’t overpower the chicken, making it a great match.

10 Best Korean fried chicken

Now, let me introduce you to the 10 most delicious and popular Korean fried chicken in Korea. Let’s explore them by brand and type!

BBQ Golden Olive Fried Chicken 황금올리브

The most beloved fried chicken among Koreans.

My absolute favorite Korean fried chicken is BBQ Golden Olive Chicken. I would call it the king of crispy fried chicken in Korea. The batter is incredibly crispy and on the thicker side, yet the inside remains soft and incredibly juicy.

No one has been able to replicate BBQ’s Golden Olive Fried Chicken. From the first bite, you get a hint of black pepper, followed by an explosion of rich, savory juices as you crunch into the perfectly crispy coating. One of its defining features is that it’s fried in olive oil, which adds a unique touch to its incredible flavor.

Kyochon Chicken Hoeny Combo 허니콤보

The ultimate sweet and savory combination. A taste that every Korean loves.

This chicken is perfect for Koreans who love the balance of sweet and salty flavors. It features a soy sauce-based glaze that is enhanced with honey, creating an irresistible sweet and savory flavor. The crispy coating is well coated with this dan-jjan (sweet & salty) sauce, yet it remains crunchy while being fully infused with flavor.

It’s important to order the Honey Combo, not the Honey Original. The Honey Combo consists of only wings and drumsticks, ensuring tender, juicy chicken in every bite.

BHC Bburinkle 뿌링클

Dip it in creamy Bburinkle sauce, need I say more?

This is a crispy fried chicken covered in a sweet and savory cheese seasoning. It’s an absolute favorite among young Koreans. Bburinkle chicken comes with Bburinkle sauce, a unique blend of Swiss cheese, sugar, mayonnaise and cream. The sauce has a slight yogurt-like tang that balances the richness of the cheesy chicken, making it irresistibly addictive. Because I love Bburinkle sauce, I always order extra and dip my chicken generously in it.

BHC also offers another must-try menu item – cheese balls. These are a perfect side dish, with a chewy, donut-like fried exterior and gooey, stretchy cheese inside. They’re on a whole different level from the soggy cheese balls I’ve tried abroad. These are incredibly crispy and definitely worth trying!

Goobne Chicken Gochu Basasak 고추바사삭

Crispy like fried chicken, but actually baked.

Goobne Chicken is famous for its oven-baked chicken, not fried chicken. While it’s not technically fried chicken, it still delivers an incredibly crispy texture. Because it’s not fried in oil, it’s lighter and considered a healthier alternative, making it a go-to option for those craving fried chicken while on a diet.

Goobne Gochu Basasak is coated with Cheongyang chili peppers and various spices, giving it a clean, mildly spicy kick. It’s a crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside type of chicken that many Koreans love because it’s not greasy.

This chicken must be eaten with gobling or marbling sauce. Gobling sauce is a blend of jalapeño and mayonnaise, offering a spicy yet creamy balance that cuts through any richness. Marbling sauce combines mayonnaise and Sriracha, similar to the Sriracha mayo often used in poke bowls. It’s slightly spicy, smooth, and rich-perfect for dipping.

Cheogajip Supreme Yangnyeom Chicken (Boneless) 슈프림양념치킨

One of Korean’s most popular Yangnyeom Chicken.

This is the ultimate sweet + savory + juicy chicken. The classic sweet and sticky yangnyeom sauce is generously coated over the chicken, and a rich, creamy mayonnaise-based sauce is drizzled on top for extra flavor. Cheogajip’s yangnyeom sauce is sweeter, thicker, and stickier than other brands, making it stand out. Supreme Yangnyeom Chicken should always be ordered boneless for the best experience.

Many Koreans love to pair this chicken with rice, a combination known as “chibap” (a mix of chicken + bap [rice]). It’s a must try!

Jadam Chicken Mapshulang 맵슐랭

Thick, rich sauce with a subtle but addictive heat.

When you order Mapssulang, you’ll immediately notice the finely chopped red and green chili peppers sprinkled over the chicken. This fried chicken is coated in a rich, slightly sweet sauce, perfectly balanced with the kick of Cheongyang chilies and a creamy mayo base.

At first bite, you’ll taste the sweetness and think, “Oh, it’s not that hot. But after a few seconds, the heat from the Cheongyang peppers slowly builds. Even Koreans who like spicy food find this chicken quite hot, so if you can’t handle too much heat, I would recommend the Mild version instead of the Original.

Mapssulang Original has a similar level of heat to Buldak Bokkeum Myun (Korean Fire Noodles).
Mapssulang Mild is slightly spicier than Shin Ramyun, comparable to Carbonara Buldak Noodles.
If you’re looking for authentic spicy Korean fried chicken that’s hard to find in Europe or the U.S., this is a must try!

Puradak Gochu Mayo 고추마요

Irresistibly addictive with gochu-mayo sauce and jalapeños.

This chicken is coated in a rich, creamy mayonnaise-based sauce that is both sweet and savory. The main highlight is the pickled jalapeños sprinkled on top. While not overwhelmingly hot, the jalapeños help cut through the richness and add a refreshing balance.

The gochu mayo sauce is a perfect harmony of spicy, creamy, nutty, sweet and tangy flavors – all blending together for an incredibly satisfying taste.

Pelicana Yangnyeom Chicken 페리카나 양념치킨

The Original Yangnyeom Chicken!

Pelicana Yangnyeom Chicken is the standard for Korean Yangnyeom Chicken. When Koreans think of the “nostalgic yangnyeom chicken” from their childhood, they often think of Pelicana. If you’re looking for a perfectly balanced flavor that’s not too sour or overpowering, with just the right amount of sweetness, spiciness, and the subtle aroma of garlic, Pelicana Yangnyeom Chicken is highly recommended. Its batter is thinner than other fried chicken places, so it doesn’t feel greasy, yet it’s crispy and deliciously spicy.

Hoochamjal (Hoocham Fried Chicken) 후참잘 후라이드 치킨

The classic Korean fried chicken

If you’re looking for a classic, basic Korean fried chicken, I recommend Hoochamjal (Hoocham’s Fried Chicken). The batter is neither too thick nor too thin, providing the perfect balance between the crispy texture of modern Korean fried chicken and the traditional flavor of old-school fried chicken. The chicken itself is seasoned with a slightly salty and mildly spicy brine, making it flavorful without being greasy. For a truly nostalgic experience, it’s best enjoyed with a pinch of seasoned salt, just like the old days.

Nene Chicken Oriental Pa Dak 오리엔탈 파닭

The green onions cut through the grease perfectly.

When you order Pa Dak, you’ll see an interesting sight – thinly sliced green onions (pachae) served separately in a roll bag. This is the key ingredient in Pa Dak. You place the crispy fried chicken on top of the green onions, then drizzle on the oriental sauce to create the perfect combination.

Koreans tend to dislike foods that are too greasy or heavy, so sometimes when we eat fried chicken, we get the feeling that it’s too oily. That’s when the green onions in Pa Dak come to the rescue. The spicy and tangy flavor of the green onions cuts through the fat and provides a refreshing balance. The sweet and sour oriental sauce perfects this balance, creating a harmonious flavor that’s not too heavy.

For non-Koreans, pa dak may seem a bit unusual or even strange, but it’s a popular staple at Nene Chicken that many Koreans adore. I recommend ordering it boneless for easy enjoyment with chopsticks or a fork.

Fried Chicken at Home

Korean fried chicken is difficult to make at home. The batter that gives it its perfect crispness requires special expertise, and the frying oil at home is in a smaller pot, making it harder to heat the oil to the right temperature than in a restaurant.

But if you’re craving Korean chicken, I recommend trying this recipe for fried chicken jeon. I made it with the most popular combination, Ban Ban style 반반 (half fried chicken and half yangnyeom chicken,) topped with green onions to cut through the fat. It also comes with an oriental dipping sauce, so be sure to dip the chicken generously in the sauce. How about enjoying this Korean fried chicken with a cold beer today for Chimaek Night?