Korean-Inspired chicken: The perfect crowd-pleasers

Korean chicken, known to locals simply as “chikin” includes a broad category of fried chicken types including huraideu chicken (original fried chicken), ganjang chicken (soy sauce chicken), and the wildly popular yangnyeom chicken (sweet and spicy sauce chicken).

Chicken is a staple in Korean casual dining, served as a meal, side and anju (food paired with alcohol), or specifically, as one half of chimaek (fried chicken and beer). The ingredients tend to differ based on the desired flavour. Nevertheless, most recipes include chicken (wings, drumsticks or boneless), salt, pepper, garlic powder, ginger powder and corn or potato starch.

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Here's a look at some of the most popular Korean-inspired chicken types, for everything from casual weeknight dinners to festive gatherings.

Spicy Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps

This light yet flavourful dish combines ground chicken or Keema, cooked with gochujang (Korean chili paste) and other aromatic spices, all wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Perfect for a refreshing appetizer or a light dinner. They make for a quick, easy-to-assemble meal, ideal for weeknight dinners or even as a healthy snack option for a small gathering.

Our takeaway: Pair them with a side of pickled vegetables and a light soy-based dipping sauce for a complete meal.

Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Chicken)

A true Korean favourite, Dakgangjeong features chunks of boneless chicken pieces, deep-fried to a perfect crisp, and then coated in a sticky, sweet sauce. Garnished with sesame seeds, this dish is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. It's perfect for weekend gatherings or when you're looking to impress guests at a party.

Our takeaway: Serve alongside kimchi, plain rice or edamame beans and pair with a refreshing beverage like Korean rice wine (makgeolli) for the full experience!

Yangnyeom Chicken

When it comes to fried chicken, Yangnyeom stands in a league of its own. Once again featuring boneless chicken chunks, this dish is double-fried, giving the chicken an extra crispy texture, then coating them in a sticky, saucy mixture of soy sauce, honey, gochujang, garlic, ginger and other seasonings. Its perfect balance of flavours makes it a must-have for game nights, casual get-togethers or even festive celebrations.

Our takeaway: Serve with pickled radish and an ice-cold beer for the ultimate comfort meal.

Bulgogi Chicken Skewers

Boneless chicken is usually cut into thin strips or shredded and then marinated for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for optimal flavour.) The marinated chicken is then threaded onto skewers and grilled or cooked on a grill pan until it's cooked through and slightly charred. Perfect for holiday get-togethers or festive occasions!

Our takeaway: Serve it with side dishes like rice, kimchi, or pickled vegetables and a refreshing iced tea. This is a popular and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course, appetizer or snack!

Side pairings

Consider rice dishes, Korean-style potato salad or a simple cucumber kimchi! Drinks like makgeolli, soju or iced green tea complement the spicy and sweet notes of these dishes beautifully. Check out these additional pairings, marinades and other meaty hacks to go with your Korean-inspired meal!

Want to satisfy your ‘K-chikin’ cravings? Keep a look out for an exciting new entry from Godrej Yummiez that that will help you do just that— in no time!
Which one of these are you trying this weekend? Let us know in the comments!