Kyochon: Korean Fried Chicken In Pudong, Shanghai

After reading Shanghaiist’s positive review a few days ago, I simply had to try Kyochon Fried Chicken. Given that I live in Pudong and semi-regularly rustle up some groceries at the Carrefour at Big Thumb Plaza where it’s located, I didn’t really have an excuse not to. So, after a lazy Saturday morning, I hopped into a taxi and made my way over for a late lunch to fuel an afternoon of grocery rustlin’.

Unfortunately, I really should’ve known that the “18RMB for four pieces” described in Shanghaiist’s review meant chicken wings instead of actual, I dunno, fried chicken breast, thigh, and leg (er, drumstick) pieces. Of course, insofar as it sounded too good to be true and actually turned out to be so, I totally blame Shanghaiist editor Elaine Chow, the deceiver, who repeatedly wrote “fried chicken” instead of the far more accurate “fried chicken wings.”

*shakes fist*

The place was fairly busy with only one recently vacated and still dirty table as we walked in. A busy joint is actually a good sign, especially when it isn’t even normal meal time, suggesting its worth eating…at any time. Stylishly decorated, the small restaurant featured a number of flat screen TVs and plenty of Super Junior autographed memorabilia. Apparently the world’s largest boy band (pictured above) endorses Kyochon’s chicken. I suppose that’s a one-up on the other Korean fried chicken chain, BBQ Chicken (with BBQ standing for Best Believable Quality…no joke.)

Despite having 4-5 staff in the front, we ended up having to wave down one of them, a stocky but friendly looking Korean chap who didn’t really speak either Chinese or English to clear the table so we could sit down. When it came time to order, we were disappointed to learn from the surly and impatient waitress that of the three main flavors they offer (Soy Sauce, Redhot, and Honey), they’re out of the Honey. My inner sweet-toothed child roared in rage. We settled on a 35 RMB order of eight Soy Sauce fried chicken wings, a 10 RMB Soy Sauce fried chicken drumstick (they do have drumsticks, for 10 RMB each), a 10 RMB Redhot drumstick, and two Cokes at 6 RMB a pop (heh, that was punny).

The Cokes arrived quickly but it took a good long while for the batch of eight Soy Sauce fried chicken wings to be served. Starving, the chicken wings were decidedly scrawnier than chicken wing offerings elsewhere but they did taste excellent. With its health benefits explained on the paper place-mats, the soy sauce is combined with garlic for a distinct and delicious combination of, er, soy sauce and garlic flavor. All eight were quickly devoured with the devourers remaining decidedly far from being satiated.

Sitting there twiddling thumbs, the single Soy Sauce drumstick was eventually served. In terms of meat per RMB, the drumstick is a better value over the chicken wings, but the chicken wings have more flavor with every bite. We waited forever and a day for the final Redhot drumstick but it refused to come. We know they prepare their food fresh after it’s ordered but the wait was definitely abnormal here. Eventually, our hunger thoroughly unsatisfied, we flagged down a server, which was the same Korean dude, and communicated that our Redhot drumstick hadn’t arrived yet. We said we didn’t want to wait anymore and that we’ll just pay the check without that item. He nodded and ran off, to be replaced by another employee who brought our check, explained that our order must’ve been given to someone else accidentally, but that they’re going to charge us the full bill and make us wait for the Redhot drumstick that they’ll bring out in a moment.

Which, in all fairness, they did. The thing is, as delicious as all of it was, it had already become an unpleasant dining experience, what with all of the lulls in eating action. The arguably crude service attitude by one of the female staff didn’t make things better, something we might not have noticed had we been stuffing our faces with delectable chicken pieces instead of, again, sitting there patiently trying to pacify our angst-ridden appetites. We paid the 67 RMB bill and walked out…

…straight into the nearby KFC where I proceeded to order a 13.50 RMB double-decker chicken sandwich.

Kyonchon is about mid-range in price, with each person probably spending about 50-80 RMB for a reasonably filling meal. Although the service was less than desirable this first time around, I’m definitely willing to give it another shot. When I do, I’ll anticipate possible setbacks by ordering larger quantities right off the bat.

客怡村 (ke yi cun)
大拇指广场
芳甸路199弄 11号 （近丁香路）
021-5033-8396

Kyonchon Chicken has restaurants in Southern California and New York, but this is the only restaurant so far in China.