Korean Fried Chicken - Double-Fried Perfection
Korean Fried Chicken, often abbreviated KFC, has taken the world by storm. What sets it apart from other fried chicken is its extra thin, glassy crispy crust and the sticky, flavorful sauce brushed on at the end. It's crispy, sweet, spicy, and utterly irresistible.
The Secret: Double Frying
The trick behind the characteristic crispiness is to deep-fry the chicken twice. The first round cooks the chicken, while the second round, after a short break, makes the crust extra crispy and light. The result stays crispy even after the sticky sauce is applied.
What You'll Need
- Chicken wings or pieces
- Potato starch or cornstarch for extra crispiness
- Oil for deep frying
- For the sauce: gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and rice vinegar
Instructions
- Toss the chicken pieces in potato starch with a little salt.
- Deep-fry at approximately 160 degrees Celsius until just cooked through, then drain.
- Raise the temperature to 190 degrees Celsius and fry them a second time until golden and crispy.
- Simmer gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and rice vinegar together until a glossy sauce forms.
- Toss the hot chicken in the sauce just before serving.
The Classic Sauce
The most famous variant is yangnyeom, a sweet and spicy sauce based on gochujang. If you prefer a milder version, you can make a sauce from soy sauce, garlic, and honey. Both give the characteristic glossy, sticky finish.
Tips for Best Results
Use potato starch or cornstarch instead of wheat flour for the lightest, crispiest crust. Don't crowd the oil with too many pieces at once, as this lowers the temperature and makes the chicken greasy. And toss the chicken in the sauce at the very end, so it stays crispy.
Serving
Serve Korean fried chicken with pickled radish, kimchi, and a cold drink. It's perfect finger food for a Friday night or when you have guests.
Shop for Ingredients at FUDI
At FUDI, you'll find gochujang, soy sauce, potato starch, and pickled radish – everything you need to make Korean fried chicken at home. It's a guaranteed hit that will elevate any evening into a celebration.
