Crunch on Crispy, Korean-Fried Goodness With Bb.q Chicken

Who doesn’t love fried chicken? Succulent chicken wings and legs fried to golden-brown perfection. Imagining the satisfying crunch of breading perfectly crisped, and the tang of salt and spices that hits the back of your throat is enough to pique any appetite. Traditionally, the classic, heartwarming dish is associated with Southern cuisine. But today, fried chicken has become one of South Korea’s most popular food exports.

Bb.q Chicken is South Korea’s number one food franchise. In February, the food chain opened its first New England location on Harvard Avenue, bringing its signature Korean-style fried chicken to Allston. Started in South Korea in 1995, Bb.q Chicken now exists in 59 countries with more than 4,150 eateries worldwide. Don’t be fooled though—Bb.q doesn’t mean barbecue here. Rather it stands for “best of best quality”.

The Allston neighborhood around Harvard Ave. is fast becoming a “little Korea”, with Korean restaurants crowding the area. Bb.q Chicken, however, will have no problem standing out from the crowd with its trademark olive oil fried chicken that has developed a cult following.

John Park, the General Manager of Bb.q Chicken Allston, oversees the daily operations of the restaurant. Despite having little to do with choosing the restaurant’s location, Park is confident that Allston is the best neighborhood for Bb.q Chicken’s New England expansion.

“Allston was the perfect location because it’s in the middle of all of the schools,” Park said. “I think of Harvard Ave. as a highway for college students”.

Korean fried chicken is often characterized by being lighter, crunchier, and more tender than Western-style fried chicken. After the chicken is fried, it’s usually evenly coated in a thin layer of sauce—typically one that’s spicy.