Watching K-dramas? This shop will satisfy your Korean fried chicken cravings
You may have encountered the famed Korean fried chicken, aka the KFC of Korea, countless times in several K-drama episodes you've watched.
There's the well-loved series Weightlifting Fairy, where Kim Bok Joo spent most of her time hanging out at her father's fried chicken restaurant, or the phenomenal Crash Landing on You, where Seri and Captain Ri ate their fried chicken while watching North Korea's first snowfall together.
Seeing these actors devour the crispy, light, and grease-less chicken as they drink a pint of cold Soju make us salivate and hunger for food.
If you have that K-style fried chicken craving or just want a taste of it, you are in for a treat because we know a chicken place that can satisfy your appetite. And yes, they're open until the wee hours of the morning.
Introducing BOK Korean Fried Chicken.
Inspired by the K-culture
Amidst establishments closing down during the pandemic, BOK Korean Fried Chicken had tried their luck and opened up a Kitchen Hub in Alabang in 2020. They initially intended to set up a cloud kitchen with numerous brands, but have found potential growth in selling Korean fried chicken.
“The inspiration to start BOK comes from our passion to create high-quality products and the love of the country for Fried Chicken and Korean culture,” Micah Castel, one of the owners of BOK Korean Fried Chicken, told PhilSTAR L!fe.
Before they began selling their signature boneless fried chicken, they first attempted to develop recipes that would meet the qualities of Korean fried chicken to perfection, renowned for its paper-like skin that is deep-fried twice, making the chicken light, dry (yet juicy), and crispy.
“For this reason, we work heavily with some of the best chefs and have an intensive R&D program to develop an extensive range of products and sauces that match perfectly with our chicken,” Castel said in meeting the satisfaction of their customer, called as BOKada.
A 'gastronomic experience'
One selling point that makes this local fried chicken store stand out from others is their boneless fried chicken offerings. They offer their boneless fried chickens in plain, straight-to-the-point deep-fried chicken served with a side of minced garlic and some dipped in eight various sauces options.
The sauces are available in Signature and Premium Sauces. The Signature Sauces include Yangnyeom, Soy Garlic, Korean Buffalo, Honey Lemon, Jack, and Lemon Pepper, while the Premium Sauces include Snow Cheese and Honey Butter.
Castel's personal favorite is the Jack drenched chicken, but according to her, the "harmony of creaminess, cheesiness, and a hint of saltiness" of the Snow Cheese topping is what gives their customers "a gastronomic experience craving for more."
Their fried chicken price ranges from P125 to P529, depending on the set and choice of flavor. They also serve corndogs stuffed with sausage and mozzarella, as well as Kimchi Fried Rice to complement their signature boneless fried chicken.
Dreams to grow
Castel stated that they intend to grow their business by opening more branches and launching a franchise program to reach more BOKada across the country.
“With a working plug & play model, we can be certain that BOK will be able to grow exponentially within the next 2-3 years,” Castel said.
So far, BOK Korean Fried Chicken has already established more than 10 branches inside and outside Metro Manila. They are available serving BOKadas fried chicken in the following locations: Alabang, BF Homes in Las Pinas, Taft - Malate, Wilson - San Juan, Poblacion - Makati, Del Monte - Quezon City, Bacoor, Novaliches, Caloocan, and Tarlac.
“When you encounter a situation you are unsure of, ask help from subject matter experts, even if it entails a price tag. It’s more costly to make mistakes and redo, than to do things right the first time around,” said Castel, giving advice on starting a food business.
BOK Fried Chicken is available for delivery through Grab Food, Foodpanda, and Pick-a-roo. Just keep in mind that pricing may vary depending on the delivery app you used since they may charge fees in addition to the cost of what you ordered.