Korean Yangnyeom Chicken: Korea’s Most Popular Late-Night Food

Discover why Korean Yangnyeom Chicken is so addictive. Learn its history and what makes this sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken iconic.

1. What is Yangnyeom Chicken?

While fried chicken was introduced to Korea via American soldiers, Yangnyeom Chicken is a 100% homegrown Korean innovation. 

It was born in the 1980s when pioneers (like the founder of Pelicana Chicken) realized that while plain fried chicken was good, the "dry" texture didn't quite hit the spot for the Korean palate. 

The solution? A glorious, sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze. The result was a thick, vibrant red sauce that changed the culinary landscape forever.

Yangnyeom chicken is widely believed to have been developed in Daegu around 1980 by Yun Jong-gye, who created the sauce to improve the taste and texture of fried chicken after it cooled. 

In the early 1980s, brands like Mexicana Chicken and later Pelicana helped introduce and popularize the sweet and spicy sauce, adapting it to Korean taste with ingredients like gochujang, garlic, and syrup. 

While both companies have claimed to be the original, court records confirm that seasoned fried chicken was already being developed and sold commercially by the mid-1980s. 

By the late 1980s, especially after Pelicana’s famous 1989 commercial campaign, yangnyeom chicken became a nationwide phenomenon and established itself as a defining icon of Korean food culture.

The Flavor Profile & Technique:

The "Double-Fry" Hack: Unlike Western chicken which is breaded heavily, K-chicken is often thinly coated and fried twice. This creates a skin so crispy it shatters like glass, but stays juicy inside

The Sauce (The Magic): The sauce is a complex masterpiece made of Gochujang (red chili paste), garlic, sugar, and sometimes strawberry jam or corn syrup for that signature "sticky" texture. It’s sweet, it’s savory, it’s spicy, and it’s 100% addictive.

The Evolution: As you can see in the photos, modern versions often include fried rice cakes (Tteok), which act as "chewy sauce vessels."

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2. From Korea’s Midnight Snack to a Global Obsession

In Korea, we have a saying: "There are two types of people: those who love fried chicken, and those who haven't tried Korean Yangnyeom chicken yet." While plain fried chicken is a global staple, the Korean version—drenched in a sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze—is on a whole different level. 

It’s not just a meal; it’s a cultural phenomenon known as "Chicken-nim" (The Deity of Chicken).

In South Korea, Yangnyeom chicken is the undisputed symbol of Yashik (="Yashik" (Late-Night Meal))

Whether it’s a reward after a long workday or the centerpiece of a weekend gathering, it’s the go-to comfort food. It’s the heart of the famous Chimaek (Chicken + Beer) culture that has now spread worldwide.

Walk into any global food community like r/food or r/KoreanFood on Reddit, and you’ll see people losing their minds over this dish.

The most common reaction from international fans is shock at how the chicken stays crispy despite the glaze. One Redditor noted, "I thought it would be soggy like Buffalo wings, but it’s like a spicy candy-coated crunch. Mind-blown."

Many Western foodies prefer Yangnyeom over traditional BBQ because the garlic-ginger-chili profile offers more depth than just "vinegar and heat."

Thanks to K-Dramas and YouTubers, "Korean Fried Chicken" has become a bucket-list item for travelers visiting Seoul. It’s no longer just "ethnic food"; it’s a global gold standard for fried poultry.

3. My Personal Opinion: The Symphony of Glaze and Heat

Personally, I believe the "soul" of Yangnyeom chicken lies in the sauce-to-crunch ratio. It’s incredibly satisfying when every nook and cranny of the crispy skin is perfectly coated in that glossy, red glaze.

If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that represents the vibrant energy of Korean nightlife, this is it. It’s a masterpiece of sweet and spicy harmony that everyone needs to experience at least once.

Personally, chicken is the number one dish that comes to mind in the evening. It's also cheap. It's around 20,000 won in Korean won recently, so it's around 14 dollars.

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I think the reason why we can't help but love it is the combination of seasoning and its taste. There is a reason why Koreans love it. Marinated chicken makes it more attractive, such as its savory taste and sweet and spicy taste.

Try it. Maybe you'll fall for it, too.

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