One of the great things about living in the San Francisco Bay Area is that Asian-based food trends/fads sweep in, multiply, and then self-select down with the best few sticking around.
A few years back, Hawaii-food places popped up like spring clover. L&L and Hukilau are the last (and best) standing. And the previously-blogged about eyeball (boba/pearl) tea places transplanted from Taiwan are definitely going through a culling phase.
A few years back, Hawaii-food places popped up like spring clover. L&L and Hukilau are the last (and best) standing. And the previously-blogged about eyeball (boba/pearl) tea places transplanted from Taiwan are definitely going through a culling phase.
The latest fad to hit our sleepy Silicon Valley suburbs is Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) and sweet potato fries. I've been to to Bon Chon twice now for some spicy soy garlic "double-fried" but not greasy chicken wings, drumettes and drumsticks.
I'm not sure how absolutely healthy this chicken is, but for fried chicken, it is remarkably non-greasy, light and full of flavor. And the spicy soy garlic definitely had some great kick to it.
It is also much less "bread-ey" and much less salty/oily than the Colonel's American KFC. Much more flavor on the chicken than on your fingers and much less oil overall.
Ordering chicken is a little confusing until you figure out their system. Chicken orders are in 3 sizes (S/M/L). Then, for each size, there is a Wings, Drums, Mixed or White Meat option. The server at my local Bon Chon was happy to help me through the menu, and service overall is very nice.
The sides (kim chee coleslaw, biscuits and coleslaw) are simply not their focus. The exception is the creamy sweet potato fries, which is a nice balance to the spicy chicken. These are best eaten quickly while still hot.
Bon Chon has a corporate website that is simultaneously outdated and under construction. Best to go to my local Bon Chon website (www.bonchonbayarea.com) which is still pretty stark, but does post its hours and a pdf menu.There are Bon Chons scattered across California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia, plus South Korea, the Philippines, Dubai, Singapore Thailand and Malaysia.
Definitely go for the chicken and sweet potato fries, but make a complete meal out of it by making your own rice and salad at home. This is what we did the second time, making it both a good monetary value and a another vetted takeout option.
Eat well. Be well.
I'm not sure how absolutely healthy this chicken is, but for fried chicken, it is remarkably non-greasy, light and full of flavor. And the spicy soy garlic definitely had some great kick to it.
It is also much less "bread-ey" and much less salty/oily than the Colonel's American KFC. Much more flavor on the chicken than on your fingers and much less oil overall.
Ordering chicken is a little confusing until you figure out their system. Chicken orders are in 3 sizes (S/M/L). Then, for each size, there is a Wings, Drums, Mixed or White Meat option. The server at my local Bon Chon was happy to help me through the menu, and service overall is very nice.
The sides (kim chee coleslaw, biscuits and coleslaw) are simply not their focus. The exception is the creamy sweet potato fries, which is a nice balance to the spicy chicken. These are best eaten quickly while still hot.
Bon Chon has a corporate website that is simultaneously outdated and under construction. Best to go to my local Bon Chon website (www.bonchonbayarea.com) which is still pretty stark, but does post its hours and a pdf menu.There are Bon Chons scattered across California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia, plus South Korea, the Philippines, Dubai, Singapore Thailand and Malaysia.
Definitely go for the chicken and sweet potato fries, but make a complete meal out of it by making your own rice and salad at home. This is what we did the second time, making it both a good monetary value and a another vetted takeout option.
Eat well. Be well.
