KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — Crunch on tastier and crispier Korean fried chicken that has universal appeal with fried chicken lovers. In Korea, it’s known as yangnyeom-tongdak where “yangnyeom” means seasoned in Korean and “tongdak” refers to a whole chicken in Korean.

Unlike typical fried chicken, there’s no need for a dip or tomato ketchup, as the crispy hot-from-the-oil chicken is tossed in tasty sauces. You get a variety of sauces like spicy, sweet and a garlicky soy. The sticky sauce that coats the chicken is made from rice syrup and various flavourings. Each shop has their own secret recipe for the sauce.

Each piece of chicken comes with a crackly brittle crust due to double frying that renders the fat from under the skin. The Koreans like to also use a special batter mix made from plain and sweet rice flour, potato starch, baking soda and beaten egg for the light crust.

Usually, smaller and juicier chickens are used for this popular after-dinner snack for juicier meat. Most places serve their fried chicken in platters of half or whole chicken. Fast food places give you smaller portions, where only the wings, drumsticks or breast are used.

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In Korean slang, the popular pairing of fried chicken and beer is known as chi-maek where the word is an abbreviation of “chicken” and “maekju” or Korean for beer. This year, the Chinese picked up this unique Korean drinking habit when the popular K-drama My Love From the Stars’ main actress Jun Ji-Hyun played a character who loves to eat chi-maek whenever she is depressed. Each portion of fried chicken is accompanied with pickled white radish cubes that helps cut through the greasy taste.

Eat your fried chicken the moment it hits your table. If the portion is too huge for you, share with your friends. It can be extremely addictive, so don’t be surprised if you can finish the whole platter by yourself.

Chicken House
15G, Jalan Solaris 4, Solaris Mont Kiara, KL
Tel: 011-16335812/03-62115928

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Following their successful restaurant in Ampang Putra Residensi, this Korean fried chicken specialist recently branched out to Mont Kiara. Grab your box of fried chicken packed with a drink and pickled radish to dine at home. If you’re feeling lazy, get it delivered if you live around the Mont Kiara area.

There’s four types of sauces to choose from – soy sauce with minced garlic, spicy sauce, normal sweet sauce and Ganggeong. The Ganggeong fried chicken is sweet but extra brittle and crunchy from multiple frying. Opt for a whole chicken in one style, or mix and match two different styles for variety. For dine-in customers, you can also order items like military stew or galbi.

Wow Chicken
66-1, Second Floor, Jalan 27/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, KL
Tel:016-2831001

Drop by this cosy decorated cafe with private booths for your fried chicken fix. Unlike other places, the choices are wider if you’re picky about which part of the chicken you prefer. Choose from the boneless breast, drumsticks, wings, whole or half chicken.

The chicken breast is done in easy-to-eat strips paired with thinly shredded spring onions and a mustard sauce. For the other parts of the chicken, choose between a spicy sweet sauce or soy garlic. The soy garlic is preferred with it’s sweetish taste and fried crispy garlic slices. Each fried chicken order is accompanied with cubes of pickled white radish. The place also offers all kinds of Korean dishes. They also do delivery within the area.

KyoChon
LG311, Lower Ground Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, PJ
https://www.facebook.com/KyoChonMalaysia

The popular Korean chain opened last year has more than 20 years history in Korea. There’s a choice of 6 types of sauces like soy, red spicy sauce or sticky natural honey. Choices are for chicken wings or drumsticks. You also have boneless Sal Sal chicken strips. The chicken can be ordered with a variety of sets.

For a healthier bite, the chain uses canola oil to fry their chicken.

Originally, the chain was endorsed by popular K-pop band Super Junior. Since their pullout, its new ambassador is K-drama star Lee Min-Ho. Diners can also get their chicken fix at their new outlet at Menara Hap Seng. Another outlet will also be opening in Pavilion KL.

Dubu Dubu Urban Korean Food
Lot S345, 2nd Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, PJ
http://www.dubudubu.com.my/

Even though their signature dish is the comforting soondubu bean curd stew, this Korean chain within the Klang Valley also offers Korean spicy wings.

Each order comes with three deep fried chicken wings tossed in a spicy sauce.

You can also order it with a set with rice, soup and three types of banchan or side dishes. The restaurant also does a honey mustard chicken wings version. For details of its other locations, see their website.

Country Koko Korean Restaurant
Ampang C-41, Jalan Ampang Utama 1/1, One Ampang Business Avenue, Taman Ampang Utama, KL
Tel: 03-42601072

Located in Korea town in Ampang, this restaurant offers greaseless and juicy deep fried whole chicken made upon order. You can also order it tossed in a spicy sauce. Each portion is served with a refreshing pickled radish. In addition, the small restaurant also serves Korean favourites like kimchi stews and BBQ meats.