Korean fried chicken has truly captured the world by storm. In contrast to fried chicken that you are accustomed to, it possesses a really crispy coating, tender meat, and tasty toppings. Perhaps you have already consumed it, perhaps you saw it on Facebook and Instagram and thought to yourself, "I must try this!", and now you are curious about what makes Korean fried chicken special. Well, let us discover what makes it so special and amazing!
What Makes Korean Fried Chicken Stand Out?
These are the key ingredients that make Korean fried chicken stand out:
Double Frying Method
Double frying is one of the best-kept secrets. The chicken is initially fried to cook it completely, and then re-fried to achieve that notoriously crispy and paper-thin skin without any grease.
Feather-Light Batter
To describe the dense batter of Western fried chicken, Korean fried chicken uses a light batter made from a mixture of flour, cornstarch, and even rice flour. This gives a light, shatteringly crunchy coating.
Thin Chicken Pieces
Korean fried chicken prefers thin chicken pieces or wings. They are easier to cook and are more absorbent of flavor, and also help to keep the meat from drying out and getting tough.
Sauce Variety
From spicy and sweet gochujang-based sauces to soy garlic glazes, the list is long. The sauces are usually brushed on once frying is done, preserving the crispiness while adding punch for flavor.
Marination Makes a Difference
Ginger, garlic, and spices can be used to marinate the chicken before frying. This is an exercise in flavor infusion in the meat itself prior to the exposure to frying oil.
Fermented Ingredients
It also utilizes fermented foodstuffs like soy sauce, gochujang (fermented red pepper paste), or even a spice that has kimchi as its foundation. These have an umami taste that can't be beat.
Allowing Texture Its Rights
Texture is essential when preparing Korean. The crunch on the outside and the juiciness within are not an added enhancement, but it's a necessity. This focus makes Korean fried chicken exceptional compared to other renditions.
Putting It All Together
No matter how much of a fan you are, the goal of this post has been to teach you why Korean fried chicken is so good. With double frying and pungent sauces, flavorful batters and essences, and marinades, everything is important. So next time you sink your teeth into a crunchy Korean wing, remember - it's not just fried chicken, it is a form of art.
