Kilochan — Review by Strictly Dumpling
Seoul, South Korea — Korean Fried Chicken
This video is a comprehensive Korean fried chicken tour through Seoul, with Kilochan being the primary featured restaurant. The reviewer visits eight different fried chicken establishments, praising most for their exceptional crispiness, juiciness, and bold flavors that far exceed typical Western fried chicken chains.
What was great: Crispy, juicy fried chicken with exceptional heat and flavor; perfectly seasoned garlic soy and spicy varieties; thin, delicate skin; open 24 hours
What could improve: Fried rice had very few chicken pieces and they were dry and tough
The Dishes
At Kilochan, the reviewer ordered the rice chicken set, a crispy fried chicken coated with rice flour, along with garlic soy and spicy red pepper varieties. The chicken fried rice came with pieces of freshly cooked chicken that were piping hot. The garlic soy chicken featured perfectly fried drumsticks and wings with a beautiful glisten and satisfying crunch. The spicy variety, coated with the hottest red peppers in Korea, delivered exceptional heat three times spicier than typical American fried chicken chains.
Throughout the video, other establishments featured standout dishes including Purak Chicken's black garlic and delilled chicken options (baked before frying for more moisture), Kong's interactive painted chicken concept with honey and garlic soy sauces, Yo Low Chicken's hot and sweet chicken that the reviewer called a 9.5 out of 10, and a mala and cheese powder fried chicken combo that reminded the reviewer of Cheetos and Cool Ranch Doritos.
The Experience
Kilochan is a popular fried chicken chain open 24 hours a day, located in Seoul. The reviewer visited early in the morning, noticing he was the only customer craving fried chicken for breakfast. The restaurant offers a straightforward casual dining experience. Other venues featured in the tour ranged from modern artistic spaces like Kong with suspended paintbrushes and DJ stations, to luxury-looking establishments like Purak with their LV-inspired packaging, to casual neighborhood spots offering simple fried chicken service.
Value and Pricing
The fried rice at Kilochan cost just three dollars, offering solid value for money despite the small chicken pieces. Most Korean fried chicken places reviewed offered generous portions of whole or half chickens with multiple sauce options. The pricing appeared moderate and reasonable for the quality and portion sizes offered.
Notable Moments
That bite was just everything you want when you bite into a perfectly cooked piece of fried chicken. The crunch is so delicate. I wish they would just like bag this and make it a chip because this is everything that's beautiful in the world.
If you're a fan of fried chicken and you never had Korean fried chicken before, please bucket list top of it.
This might be one of the best Korean fried chicken I've had.
The Verdict
Kilochan represents an excellent entry point into Korean fried chicken culture, especially with its 24-hour operation catering to any craving time. The combination of crispy exterior with juicy interior, bold garlic and spicy flavoring profiles, and exceptional value makes it a must-visit. The video overall showcases eight premier Korean fried chicken experiences in Seoul, each offering unique takes on the cuisine from innovative painting concepts to luxury baked-then-fried preparations. This tour is essential viewing for fried chicken enthusiasts seeking to understand why Korean fried chicken has become so beloved globally.