Korean Fried Chicken as Served at Yakitori Jinbei in Smyrna, Georgia, as seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Season 29.
Recipe courtesy of Yakitori Jinbei

Korean Fried Chicken

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  • Level: Intermediate
  • Total: 2 hr 45 min (includes marinating time)
  • Active: 45 min
  • Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

Korean Fried Chicken Sauce:

Korean Fried Chicken:

Directions

  1. For the Korean fried chicken sauce: Add the corn syrup, ketchup, sugar, gochujang, soy sauce, chili powder, capsaicin powder, garlic and 3 tablespoons water to a mixing bowl. Stir well and let marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
  2. For the Korean fried chicken: Preheat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F.
  3. Chop the chicken breasts into 3 pieces and the thighs into 2 pieces. Disjoint the wing into 2 pieces. There should be 16 pieces total, including 2 drumsticks. Place the chicken into a mixing bowl and season with the salt and pepper. Set aside.
  4. Mix the flour, cornstarch and curry powder in a bowl. Set aside half for the dredge and half for the batter. Mix half of the flour mixture with 1 cup water until the consistency of a runny batter. Add more water if the consistency is too thick. Using the other half of the flour mixture, dredge the chicken pieces. Dip the coated chicken into the batter one at a time. Immediately add the battered chicken to the hot oil and let cook for about 12 minutes.
  5. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes. This will allow the chicken to have a crispier texture. Using a pastry brush, brush the Korean fried chicken sauce onto the chicken in an even coat, without breaking the crust.
  6. Finish with the chopped green onion and sesame seeds.

Cook’s Note

If you cannot find capsaicin powder, you can substitute with cayenne powder. Make sure the chicken pieces are dry when dredging in the flour mixture. You don't want the pieces to be too wet, or else it will create a thick mess.