반반치킨 Banban Chicken
Korean fried chicken served half plain and half coated in sweet chili sauce, in one order.
Spice: Mild
Chikin (Korean chicken)
후라이드치킨 Fried Chicken
Chicken pieces marinated, coated in batter and deep-fried with no sauce, eaten by hand with salt.
- Plain Korean Fried Chicken
- Spice: Not spicy
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Chicken pieces, frying batter |
| How it's served | Hot, crisp pieces in a box or basket, with pickled radish, salt and dipping sauce on the side |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Allergens | Wheat |
| Ask about | Some batters use rice or corn starch, and some marinades contain garlic, soy or milk. |
| On the menu | 후라이드치킨 (Fried Chicken) |
| Also called | huraideu chicken · huraideu chikin · plain chicken · crispy Korean chicken |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Plain Korean Fried Chicken
Eat it while hot
The coating is crispest right after it arrives. It softens as it cools.
Dip it in salt or sauce
Dip pieces in the small dish of salt, or in the sauce cup if one comes with it.
Use the salt and radish
Dip pieces in the salt if they taste plain. The cold radish cubes help when the oil feels heavy.
How to order it
Order it as 후라이드치킨. One order is usually a whole chicken, so one person can order it but groups often share.
- On the menu: 후라이드치킨
- Usually sold: 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
Where it comes from
From the late 1970s, fried chicken became a leading franchise business in Korea.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
양념치킨 Yangnyeom Chicken
Fried chicken tossed in a sweet, sticky sauce of chili paste and soy sauce, often eaten with beer.
Spice: Mild
Questions about Plain Korean Fried Chicken
Is plain Korean fried chicken vegetarian?
No. It is chicken.
How spicy is plain Korean fried chicken?
Not spicy. The coating has no chili, so it suits people who avoid heat.
Can you order half plain and half yangnyeom?
Usually yes. Ask for banban, and most shops split one chicken between the two.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 25, 2026