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Korean-style serving of Sweet-spicy fried chicken

양념치킨 · Sweet-spicy fried chicken

Sweet-spicy fried chicken

양념치킨

What exactly is it?

Fried chicken is tossed in a sweet-spicy glaze that clings to the crust. It tastes saucier than plain fried chicken, with heat varying by restaurant and product. Both bone-in and boneless versions are sold.

Main ingredients

Fried chicken, sauce made with chili paste, soy sauce, sweetener and garlic

Ordering and serving

Banban usually splits one order between two flavors. Check the glaze and garnish for nuts, and distinguish regular sweet-spicy seasoning from an explicitly hot version.

Origins and changes

Sauce-coated chicken became widely popular in Korea in the mid-to-late 1980s. Gochujang, soy sauce and sweet syrups helped build a menu culture in which diners choose both fried chicken and its glaze.

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Dish to compare

Sweet-spicy fried chicken

양념치킨

Main ingredients
Fried chicken, sauce made with chili paste, soy sauce, sweetener and garlic
Flavor and character
Fried chicken is tossed in a sweet-spicy glaze that clings to the crust. It tastes saucier than plain fried chicken, with heat varying by restaurant and product. Both bone-in and boneless versions are sold.
How to eat it
Banban usually splits one order between two flavors. Check the glaze and garnish for nuts, and distinguish regular sweet-spicy seasoning from an explicitly hot version.
Read about this dish →

Korean fried chicken

프라이드치킨

Main ingredients
Chicken, wheat-flour or starch coating, salt, spices, frying oil
Flavor and character
Chicken pieces are coated and deep-fried. Thin crusts and thicker crispy coatings offer different textures and seasoning levels. No red sauce does not guarantee no chili: spices may be in the brine or coating.
How to eat it
Compare whole, half and boneless orders. Chicken-mu is sweet-sour pickled radish eaten between bites. Use a separate bowl for bones when sharing.
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