Kyochon Chicken is yet another link in the local food-court chain, a Korean chicken stand that continues the tradition built up in places like Marukai and Mitsuwa. Kyochon’s host, however, is Freshia, a still-new market at the most outer edge of Garden Grove’s Little Seoul (the market technically sits in Stanton). Like Pinkberry before it, Kyochon is currently being plagued by the hands of hype, as the place’s double-fried chicken seems to be getting praised to no end. But unlike all that frozen yogurt swirled out into forgettable flavors, Kyochon does much better dealing with expectations. There are a few other items at the place (fried rice, bulgogi and the like), but it’s nothing that you should even bother with—the restaurant is rightly renowned for its chicken. And to that end, Kyochon really does succeed. There are two flavors here: garlic soy and hot and spicy. Both are great—the garlic soy is rubbed down with what eats like whole cloves (though the soy helps cut through that), and the spicy chicken lingers like the hottest kimchi. The best bet comes with a little order of each, alternating wings until you find that perfect balance.

KYOCHON CHICKEN INSIDE FRESHIA MARKET | 12840 BEACH BLVD | STANTON 90680 | 714.892.8249

Tags: fried chicken, korean, kyochon, SIDES