Korean Fried Chicken
Double-fried until the crust is glassy and stays crisp under the sauce, then glazed in sticky sweet-hot gochujang. The thin cornflour batter is the key.
Method
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Pat the wings completely dry and toss with the salt, pepper and ground ginger. Leave 20 minutes.
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Whisk the cornflour, plain flour and baking powder with the cold water into a thin batter, about the consistency of single cream.
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Heat the oil to 160°C / 320°F.
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Dip each wing in the batter, letting the excess drip off, and fry in batches of six for 7 to 8 minutes until pale gold and cooked through.
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Lift onto a rack and rest for at least 5 minutes. Steam will escape and the crust will firm up.
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Raise the oil to 190°C / 375°F and fry the wings again, all together, for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden and audibly hard.
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Meanwhile simmer all the glaze ingredients in a wide pan for 3 to 4 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened.
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Tip the hot wings into the glaze and toss quickly for 20 seconds to coat.
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Serve immediately with sesame seeds, spring onions and pickled radish to cut the richness.
Chef’s Tips
- A thin batter, not a thick one. Korean fried chicken has a shell, not a jacket.
- The rest between fries is essential and cannot be skipped.
- Serve half plain and half glazed — the traditional "half and half" order.
Pairing Suggestions
- Cold beer — the Korean chimaek tradition of chicken and beer exists for a reason
- Serve with pickled radish and a cold lager
- Finish with fresh fruit
Storage & Reheating
Best immediately. Unsauced wings keep 2 days; re-crisp at 200°C / 390°F for 8 minutes, then glaze fresh.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.