Who can say NO to a good, crispy, delicious fried chicken when given a choice? When thinking of fried chicken, one name dulls the sparkle of all other varieties of fried chicken. That name is, undoubtedly, KFC. No, we’re not talking about Kentucky Fried Chicken; rather, we are introducing you to this amazing new recipe for Korean Fried Chicken. So why don’t you try to experience a new KFC: Korean fried chicken? Nicknamed “candy chicken,” Korean fried chicken is known for its addictive, crunchy exterior and thick sweet-and-spicy sauce. It is enjoyed by people all over the world and is starting to gain popularity outside of Korea in a very short time span. Would you like to try a super crunchy chicken that is coated with a highly addictive homemade Korean sweet chili sauce? But what to serve with Korean fried chicken? Keep reading more about the recipe and incredible sides at your fingertips…
Nutrient Facts:
(2 People Servings)
- Calories: 1370 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 138 g
- Protein: 70 g
- Fat: 58 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 252 mg
- Sodium: 2580 mg
- Potassium: 1702 mg
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 66 g
Korean Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
For Wings
- Vegetable oil 1 tsp. (4 cups separately for frying)
- Salt 1/2 tsp.
- Black pepper 1/2 tsp.
- Baking powder 1/2 tsp.
- Garlic powder 1/2 tsp.
- Chicken wings 1- 1.5 kg (2-3 lbs)
- Minced ginger 1 tbsp.
- Cornstarch 1 cup
For Sauce
- Tomato sauce 3 tbsp.
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 tbsp.
- Honey 1/4 cup
- Brown sugar 1/4 cup
- Soy sauce 2 tbsp.
- Minced garlic 2 tbsp.
- Sesame oil 1 tbsp.
Recipe
For Wings
- In a deep pot over medium-high heat, heat 4 cups of vegetable oil to 275°.
- Place the baking sheet on a large plate or tray.
1. Coating
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, baking powder, and garlic powder.
- Dry the wings by patting them with paper towels
- Rub with minced ginger and season with salt mixture.
- In a large bowl, toss wings with cornstarch and squeeze to compress the coating onto each wing.
2. Cooking
- Carefully add wings to the oil and fry until skin is just lightly crisped and golden, about 15 to 18 minutes.
- Remove the wings from the oil and set them aside on the prepared plate. Let it rest briefly.
- Heat frying oil to 400°. Return wings to pot and fry again until deeply golden and skin is crisp and crunchy about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Remove the wings from the oil and place them in a large mixing bowl.
For Sauce
1. Making the Sauce
- Add tomato sauce, gochujang, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and sesame oil in a saucepan.
- Heat the sauce over low, medium heat and stir well.
- Once it starts bubbling, remove the pan from the heat.
2. Mixing chicken in sauce
- Place double-fried chicken into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the fried chicken sauce over the chicken to coat.
- Mix them lightly and thoroughly.
3. Serve
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
What To Serve with Korean Fried Chicken
Korean fried chicken is one of those dishes which taste absolutely decadent even when served as it is, but when given the perfect pairing, the taste of this dish is elevated to a whole new level. Here we have introduced some options that go well with Korean fried chicken:
Traditional Pairing
Korean fried chicken comes in a plethora of varieties. It is a bit spicy, yet Korean condiments can vary widely for this recipe. It can be served as a whole meal, snack, or appetizer. When served as a meal, plain chicken is simply not enough – chances are you will also need a side dish. Not sure what to serve with Korean fried chicken? There are plenty of choices out there, but some of them can stand out because they match Korean cuisine like no other.
Authentic Korean Fried Chicken Platter with Traditional Sides
Japchae (Noodle Stir Fry)
Japchae literally means “mixed vegetables,” and it gives a very good pairing with Korean fried chicken. The main ingredient of this dish is Korean sweet potato starch noodles which are also known as glass noodles. For traditional japchae, the chewy and springy noodles are usually paired with thin strips of beef and various kinds of vegetables to give a slightly sweet and savory taste.
Braised Potatoes
This is also a Korean side dish that goes well with Korean fried chicken. It is called Algamja Jorim in Korean.
These are basically potatoes that are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and braised in a delicious sweet soy sauce.
Egg Roll Omelet
An egg roll omelet is a popular side dish in Korean cuisine, and it is a wonderful pairing with Korean Fried Chicken. You can alter the fillings to suit your own preferred tastes. You may add meat, mushrooms, seafood, and cheese before serving it with your fried chicken.
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Korean cream cheese garlic bread is a very good side serving with Korean fried chicken. The exterior of this special bread is crisp and crunchy, whilst the middle is soft, chewy, slightly sweet, and deliciously garlicky.
What to Serve with Korean Fried Rice?
Rice is a staple in Korean Cuisine. Koreans have rice with every meal unless there are noodles as a replacement. Rice is almost always served with a Korean meal and is eaten with Korean BBQ, soups, and various main dishes. Korean fried rice is a simple yet delicious way to spruce up your weekly meal prep. This fried rice recipe uses only a few simple ingredients yet yields a bold and delicious flavored dish. Korean fried rice can be served with a variety of side dishes, including:
- Kimchi
- Korean Fried Zucchini
- Steamed Eggplant
- Gosari Namul (Fernbrake)
- Seaweed
- Eomuk bokkeum (fried fishcake)
- Chamchijeon (Tuna Pancakes)
- Korean Crispy Mushrooms
- Korean Fried Zucchini
- Korean Macaroni Salad
- Korean Fried Zucchini
- Namul
Salads to Go with Korean Fried Chicken
Korean salads are simple to make but are an essential part of a Korean meal – especially with BBQs to help cut the greasy taste. To balance that out, a Korean meal is typically served with many mild vegetable side dishes (known as banchan) and salads. The great thing about these Korean salads is that they are quick and easy to make. They are usually tossed in a light tangy dressing or made with naturally sweet ingredients to go with the spicy dishes. So, Korean salads are great with any meal and come in variations suitable for everyone, including kids. Korean fried chicken can be paired with various salads, including the following, mostly inspired by Korean cuisine and heartily enjoyed as side dishes worldwide.
- Spicy Cucumber Salad
- Tangy Pickled Radishes
- Korean Spicy Green Onion Salad
- Korean Green Salad
- Korean Lettuce Salad
- Sigeumchi Namul (Korean Spinach Salad)
- Kimchi Salad (Geotjeori)
- Tofu Salad with Iceberg Lettuce
- Spicy Korean Carrots
- Green onion salad (Pa muchim)
- Fresh kimchi salad with spring cabbage
- Chive salad (Buchu muchim)
- Tuna tataki salad
- Soba noodle salad
- Apple onion celery salad
- Sweet kabocha squash salad
- Buckwheat noodle salad (Korean Makguksu)
- Korean-style Tempeh Salad
- Korean-Style Choregi Salad
- Avocado and Tofu Namul (Korean-style Salad)
What to Drink with Korean Fried Chicken
Which beverage do you choose when enjoying Korean food? In most western cultures, the wine pairs perfectly with meat, but in Korea, a classic red wine would NOT go well with the mixture of ingredients in your meal. Like Korean meals and snacks, Korean drinks are all insanely interesting and wildly different from one another and from drinks that are popular in most other countries.
Korean fried chicken is usually eaten with a pairing of white wine or soju, a clear, slightly-sweet distilled spirit and the most popular Korean drink. One chef also recommends drinking something called Jumi with your fried chicken. Jumi is basically a blend of soju, yujacha (citron tea), lemon, and Mediterranean tonic. Korean fried chicken also goes well with a cold beer or any sort of refreshing cocktail.
What to do with Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat leftovers, put them in the microwave or heat them in a skillet or wok until thoroughly heated. You may eat these leftovers like normal fried chicken, or you may utilize them by making a tortilla wrap, sandwich, salad, or fried rice.
Final Words
In short, we may say that Korean cuisine reflects a complex interaction between the natural environment and different cultural trends. Preparation of Korean food requires intensive labor, although many Koreans living in urban areas purchase prepared traditional food in supermarkets or outdoor markets. But this recipe of Korean fried chicken is easy to make and will be a refreshing new addition to your culinary experience as it differs from your ordinary fried chicken but is light, spicy, and can be paired with many different side dishes. Try out this recipe if you are willing to explore exciting, new flavors and give your taste buds a taste adventure they’ll never forget.
Feature image: Pixabay
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