Bonchon is a Korean fried chicken restaurant, with the name “Bonchon” meaning “My Hometown” in Korean. Bonchon at Bell Blvd in Bayside has been open for quite a long time, snugly located next to bakeries and sweetshops. This place is best for Harrisites who take the Q12 or Q31 after the Q44 or Q88. Bonchon is particularly well known for their crunchy chicken and homey atmosphere. While the interior isn’t large, it has wooden furniture, warm lighting, and a welcoming ambiance with friendly employees. You’ll notice that not many people dine-in and instead choose to pick up online orders, but the small size and general peacefulness of the restaurant creates a comforting environment. Despite my friends and I being the only customers there at the time, our food took around 10-15 minutes to come, most likely due to our large order. Food may take a while to arrive, but it’s definitely worth the wait!
You can order wings, drumsticks, strips, or boneless pieces — or a combo with wings and drumsticks – in sizes small, medium, or large for 5-36 pieces depending on what you get!
20 Piece Strips: Yangnyeom and Soy Garlic Flavor
$29.99
Critic Rating: 9.5/10
This reference to Korean fried chicken in America really hits hard, as the half yangnyeom and half soy garlic 20-piece strips — perfect for any boneless lovers — were both hot, juicy, and addictive, making me come back for more. The yangnyeom flavor is slightly spicy, but not so much that you’ll need water after every bite. If you don’t have a strong spice tolerance, I would recommend bringing your own beverage, as the in-store drinks are pricey at $3 per bottle. In general, I don’t recommend trying the spicy flavor if you don’t have any spice tolerance or experience with it, as the heat catches up quickly.
The yangnyeom chicken was warm, with the slightly spicy sauce pairing perfectly with the juicy chicken underneath. Their famous crunch was made clear, as every bite tasted consistently crispy and smooth with the pairing of the sauce. The soy garlic, a flavor I highly recommend for people who don’t want spicy chicken, tasted the same, except instead of the slight spice, there was a savory and slightly sweet flavor that matched perfectly with the fries.
French Fries
$4.99
Critic Rating: 6/10
The french fries were seasoned with parsley and garlic. They were fairly decent, but on their own, they don’t really stick out; they’re somewhat plain and can taste greasy really quickly. This is understandable given the price; however, if it’s in your budget, I suggest having the seasoned fries that are about $7.50, as they have much more flavor.
I suggest having the plain fries, or any of the various sides in general, with the chicken, as having them together can balance out the plainness of the fries and the spiciness or savoriness from the chicken! After about 20-30 minutes, it was obvious how greasy the fries became, and they quickly lost their flavor. Another popular side option is the tteokbokki, which are spicy Korean rice cakes. However, it’s important to note that when it comes to any of the sides, the prices at Bonchon can stack up very fast. Portions at Bonchon are generally quite large, so I encourage going with friends so you can explore as many flavors as possible!
Coleslaw
$2.49
Critic Rating: 4/10
If you really like having coleslaw with your chicken, I still suggest trying it out, but it’d be better to look at other possible options. The coleslaw wasn’t that appealing — the mayo-based sauce felt slimy, and the hard carrots didn’t complement the texture. Neither me nor my friends really went for the coleslaw; we would only occasionally have some after a few strips. Next time, I’ll probably save a few bucks and not get it. However, since it’s one of the cheaper sides and does help balance all of the salty and spicy flavors, it’s not too shabby overall.
All in all, Bonchon is like a big gift with an expensive price tag. Like I mentioned before, costs can add up really quickly, even if you’re going by yourself. However, the quality of the chicken is very high and makes it worth the price, but sides are what can really bring up the cost. The quality of the chicken doesn’t quite match that of the sides, but Bonchon’s large portions help them stand out. I didn’t feel cheated for the nearly $40 that I spent. Instead, I felt satisfied and even hungry for more, especially compared to other Korean fried chicken places that offer lower prices yet much smaller portions. I’d definitely come back to explore new sides and continue to relish in their juicy chicken. Come with friends or family so you can not only share the portions and cost but also the homely experience overall!
