The ULTIMATE KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN RECIPES

The ULTIMATE KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN RECIPES is a medium Korean recipe that serves 4. 520 calories per serving. Recipe by Quang Tran on YouTube.

Prep: 5 hrs 15 min | Cook: 30 min | Total: 6 hrs 5 min

Cost: $25.55 total, $6.39 per serving

Ingredients

  • 3 lb Bone‑In Chicken Pieces (cut into bite‑size pieces, keep bone for extra flavor)
  • 2 Tbsp Mushroom Seasoning (or chicken bouillon powder)
  • 0.5 cup Fish Sauce (Thai style, adds umami)
  • 2 Tbsp Black Pepper (freshly cracked)
  • 1 cup All‑Purpose Flour (sifted)
  • 0.5 cup Cornstarch (helps create extra crispness)
  • 1 Tbsp Baking Powder (double‑acting)
  • 2 cup Buttermilk (cold)
  • 6 pcs Large Eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (for honey butter sauce)
  • 1 Tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk (for honey butter sauce)
  • 3 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean fermented hot paste)
  • 2 tsp Minced Garlic (fresh)
  • 0.25 cup Ketchup (regular)
  • 1 tsp Granulated Sugar (for Korean hot sauce)
  • 6 Tbsp Brown Sugar (packed, used across sauces)
  • 11 Tbsp Soy Sauce (regular, low sodium optional)
  • 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce (adds depth to sesame sauce)
  • 0.5 tsp Ginger Powder (ground)
  • 1 Tbsp White Sugar (for sesame sauce)
  • 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (toasted flavor)
  • 1 Tbsp Honey (heaping)
  • 1.5 tsp Rice Vinegar (mild acidity)
  • 1 Tbsp Mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder (dry)
  • 2 tsp Dry Mustard (yellow mustard powder)
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar (icing sugar, fine)
  • 1 cup Coffee Creamer Powder (non‑dairy creamer, adds snow‑cheese texture)
  • 1 bunch Green Onions (cleaned and thinly sliced)
  • 3 cup Vegetable Oil (for deep‑frying, enough to fill pot 2‑3 inches)

Instructions

  1. Cut the Chicken

    Place the three whole chickens on a cutting board and cut them into bite‑size bone‑in pieces, keeping the dark meat (thighs, drumsticks) slightly larger than the white meat.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Marinate the Chicken

    In a large bowl combine mushroom seasoning, fish sauce, and freshly cracked black pepper. Add the chicken pieces, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.

    Time: PT4H

  3. Prepare the Batter

    In one bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. In another bowl whisk buttermilk with six eggs. Separate the egg whites from the yolks; set whites aside. Mix the yolks into the dry batter, then gently fold in the buttermilk mixture.

    Time: PT15M

  4. Coat the Chicken

    Remove chicken from the fridge, pat dry. Dip each piece first into the yolk‑batter, then into the reserved egg whites, and finally back into the batter. Shake off excess and place on a wire rack.

    Time: PT10M

  5. Deep‑Fry the Chicken

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry dark‑meat pieces for 15‑16 minutes, then add white‑meat pieces for 6‑8 minutes, until golden and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.

    Time: PT20M

    Temperature: 350°F

  6. Make Korean Hot Sauce

    In a saucepan heat 2 tsp oil, add 2 tsp minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Stir in 3 Tbsp gochujang, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tsp granulated sugar, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 4 tsp soy sauce, ¼ tsp ginger powder, and 1 cup water. Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.

    Time: PT10M

  7. Make Sesame Soy Garlic Sauce

    Heat 2 tsp oil in another saucepan, add 2 tsp minced garlic and sauté briefly. Add 7 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, ¼ tsp ginger powder, 1 Tbsp white sugar, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 2 heaping Tbsp brown sugar, 1 heaping Tbsp honey, ½ tsp rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 tsp onion powder, and ½ cup water. Simmer 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Make Honey Butter Sauce

    Take 1 cup of the warm sesame soy garlic sauce, add 2 Tbsp butter and melt over low heat. Stir in 1 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk until fully incorporated and glossy.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Prepare Snow Cheese Coating

    In a small bowl combine 1 cup grated Parmesan, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 cup coffee creamer powder. Mix until a fine, fluffy powder forms.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Make Green Onion Sauce

    Heat 2 Tbsp oil, add 2 Tbsp minced garlic and sauté. Add 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp mirin, 2 heaping Tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp dry mustard, and 2 cups cold water. Simmer 10 minutes, then stir in the sliced green onions just before removing from heat.

    Time: PT10M

  11. Toss Chicken in Sauces and Finish

    Divide the fried chicken into five equal portions. Toss one portion in Korean hot sauce, another in sesame soy garlic sauce, a third in honey butter sauce, a fourth in green onion sauce, and finally sprinkle snow cheese over the fifth portion. Garnish with extra green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
520
Protein
30g
Carbohydrates
32g
Fat
26g
Fiber
1g

Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains gluten, Contains dairy

Allergens: Egg, Dairy, Soy, Gluten, Fish

Last updated: April 20, 2026

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The ULTIMATE KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN RECIPES

Recipe by Quang Tran

A step‑by‑step guide to making authentic Korean fried chicken with five distinct sauces – Korean Hot, Sesame Soy Garlic, Honey Butter, Snow Cheese, and Green Onion. Bone‑in chicken pieces are marinated, double‑coated, and deep‑fried to a crisp golden finish, then tossed in each flavorful sauce for a crunchy, juicy, and unforgettable bite.

MediumKoreanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
4h 55m
Prep
50m
Cook
41m
Cleanup
6h 26m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$25.55
Total cost
$6.39
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours.
  • Separating egg whites from yolks for a lighter batter.
  • Frying dark meat longer than white meat to ensure doneness.
  • Maintaining oil temperature at 350°F for a crisp crust.
  • Coating each portion with its designated sauce right after frying.

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can cause severe burns; use a deep‑fat thermometer and never leave unattended.
  • Handle raw chicken with separate utensils to avoid cross‑contamination.
  • Be careful when adding butter to hot sauce to prevent splatter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Korean Fried Chicken in Korean cuisine?

A

Korean Fried Chicken, known as "chikin" or "yangnyeom chicken," became popular in the 1970s after the introduction of double‑deep frying techniques. It is a staple street‑food and is often enjoyed with beer (chimaek) during gatherings and celebrations.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Korean Fried Chicken in Korean cuisine?

A

In Seoul, the classic version is coated in a sweet‑spicy gochujang glaze, while the southern city of Busan favors a soy‑garlic sauce. Jeju Island offers a honey‑butter glaze, and some regions add cheese powders like the snow‑cheese style featured here.

cultural
Q

How is Korean Fried Chicken traditionally served in Korea?

A

It is typically served hot, either plain or tossed in a sauce, on a platter with pickled radish (danmuji) and a side of steamed rice. It is commonly paired with chilled beer in a "chimaek" (chicken‑and‑beer) setting.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Korean Fried Chicken traditionally associated with in Korean culture?

A

Korean Fried Chicken is a popular dish for casual gatherings, sports viewing parties, and late‑night snacks after work. It is also served during holidays like Chuseok and New Year’s celebrations as a comfort food.

cultural
Q

How does Korean Fried Chicken fit into the broader Korean cuisine tradition?

A

It reflects Korea’s love for bold flavors, fermentation (gochujang), and the technique of double‑frying for extra crunch. The dish bridges traditional Korean seasoning with Western fried‑food concepts, showcasing the country’s culinary adaptability.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Korean Fried Chicken versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Authentic ingredients include gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and Korean rice wine (mirin). Substitutes such as chili garlic sauce for gochujang or apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar work well without drastically changing the flavor profile.

cultural
Q

What other Korean dishes pair well with Korean Fried Chicken?

A

Pair it with Korean side dishes like kimchi, pickled radish, japchae (stir‑fried glass noodles), or a simple cucumber salad. A cold lager or Korean rice wine (makgeolli) complements the spicy and sweet sauces.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Korean Fried Chicken at home?

A

Common errors include overcrowding the oil, which drops temperature and makes the crust soggy, and skipping the egg‑white coating, which reduces crispness. Also, under‑marinating the chicken leads to bland flavor.

technical
Q

Why does this Korean Fried Chicken recipe separate egg whites from yolks for the batter?

A

Separating the whites creates a lighter, airy coating that fries faster and stays crisp, while the yolks add richness and help the batter adhere to the chicken.

technical
Q

Can I make the Korean Fried Chicken sauces ahead of time and how should I store them?

A

Yes, prepare all five sauces up to 2 days in advance. Store each in a sealed container in the refrigerator and gently reheat on low heat before tossing with the fried chicken.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Quang Tran specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Quang Tran focuses on Asian street‑food recipes, especially Korean and Vietnamese dishes, offering detailed step‑by‑step tutorials for home cooks.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Quang Tran's approach to Korean cooking differ from other Korean cooking channels?

A

Quang Tran emphasizes practical home‑cooking techniques, breaking down complex sauces into simple steps, and often includes multiple flavor variations in a single video, unlike many channels that stick to one classic version.

channel

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