I visited the Korean fried chicken chain that's set to expand rapidly across the US and ate some of the best wings I've ever had

Mary MeisenzahlApr 17, 2022, 19:50 IST

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I visited Bonchon, a Korea-based fried chicken chain growing in locations across the US
I think it could be a major success in the US thanks to delicious food and large portions.

On a recent trip to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, I had the chance to visit Bonchon for lunch.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The giant mall has dozens of restaurants, including growing Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Bonchon started in South Korea in 2002, and now has nearly 400 locations in eight countries, with hopes to eventually grow to 3,000 or more international restaurants.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Fried chicken is the star of the menu, so I ordered a combination of soy garlic and spicy wings and some sides.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cashier gave me a buzzer that started beeping about 10 minutes later, signaling that my order was ready.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Each order of wings came with a side and a drink, so I opted for white rice and kimchi, plus an order of pork pot stickers.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Clearly I had to start with the wings, which looked amazing.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My first thought was that I was impressed at their size.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Wings have gotten much more expensive in the past two years, but these were quite large and meaty.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

They were perfectly crispy, with exactly the crunch I want from a bite into fried chicken.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The meat was tender, practically falling off the bones.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I especially appreciated how the sauce was flavorful, but not overly messy and wet like some wings I've had. The soy garlic in particular was one of the best wing flavors I've ever had.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I especially appreciated how the sauce was flavorful, but not overly messy and wet like some wings I've had. The soy garlic in particular was one of the best wing flavors I've ever had.

The pot stickers were also delicious and crispy.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I'd hoped to order tacos or pork buns, but both items were out of stock during my visit. The food I did get was so good I didn't mind, though.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Kimchi isn't a typical fried chicken side in the US, but I found it to be a great way to balance out all the fried food I was eating.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A little kick of spiciness complemented the sweet soy garlic wings.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Bonchon opened 11 locations in 2021, and has 30 openings planned for this year and more slated for 2023.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

All of my food cost about $35, with enough to feed two to three people. I thought it was a great price considering the excellent quality of the food and huge wings.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Despite being stuffed, I couldn't bear to leave any meat on the bones.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

After trying Bonchon's menu, I'm not surprised that it's growing — sales were up 15% in 2021, and up 23% over 2019. I think it has the potential to change the fried chicken fast food market.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

After trying Bonchon's menu, I'm not surprised that it's growing — sales were up 15% in 2021, and up 23% over 2019. I think it has the potential to change the fried chicken fast food market.

The chain is focusing on growing its portfolio of smaller footprint stores, like the food court version I visited, CEO Flynn Dekker said told QSR Magazine.

Irene Jiang / Business Insider

The only downside is that there are no locations near my home in Rochester, New York. If Bonchon can expand enough, I think it could blow up in the US.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I visited the Mall of America and I'd recommend it to anyone, but not for the shopping

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I visited the Korean fried chicken chain that's set to expand rapidly across the US and ate some of the best wings I've ever had

On a recent trip to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, I had the chance to visit Bonchon for lunch.

The giant mall has dozens of restaurants, including growing Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon.

Bonchon started in South Korea in 2002, and now has nearly 400 locations in eight countries, with hopes to eventually grow to 3,000 or more international restaurants.

Fried chicken is the star of the menu, so I ordered a combination of soy garlic and spicy wings and some sides.

The cashier gave me a buzzer that started beeping about 10 minutes later, signaling that my order was ready.

Each order of wings came with a side and a drink, so I opted for white rice and kimchi, plus an order of pork pot stickers.

Clearly I had to start with the wings, which looked amazing.

My first thought was that I was impressed at their size.

Wings have gotten much more expensive in the past two years, but these were quite large and meaty.

They were perfectly crispy, with exactly the crunch I want from a bite into fried chicken.

The meat was tender, practically falling off the bones.

I especially appreciated how the sauce was flavorful, but not overly messy and wet like some wings I've had. The soy garlic in particular was one of the best wing flavors I've ever had.

The pot stickers were also delicious and crispy.

I'd hoped to order tacos or pork buns, but both items were out of stock during my visit. The food I did get was so good I didn't mind, though.

Kimchi isn't a typical fried chicken side in the US, but I found it to be a great way to balance out all the fried food I was eating.

A little kick of spiciness complemented the sweet soy garlic wings.

Bonchon opened 11 locations in 2021, and has 30 openings planned for this year and more slated for 2023.

All of my food cost about $35, with enough to feed two to three people. I thought it was a great price considering the excellent quality of the food and huge wings.

Despite being stuffed, I couldn't bear to leave any meat on the bones.

After trying Bonchon's menu, I'm not surprised that it's growing — sales were up 15% in 2021, and up 23% over 2019. I think it has the potential to change the fried chicken fast food market.

The chain is focusing on growing its portfolio of smaller footprint stores, like the food court version I visited, CEO Flynn Dekker said told QSR Magazine.

The only downside is that there are no locations near my home in Rochester, New York. If Bonchon can expand enough, I think it could blow up in the US.