It’s Going to Be Raining Korean Fried Chicken in National City

National City is on its way to becoming a hub for Korean-style fried chicken, with well-known Korean chain Bonchon announcing that it has signed a lease at 1460 E. Plaza Boulevard. Founded in South Korea in 2002, Bonchon has more than 300 locations worldwide; the company arrived stateside in 2006 and debuted last fall in San Diego with an outpost on Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa.

The South Bay location is scheduled to open in May 2020; also due in the neighborhood next spring is the first San Diego branch of another popular ‘KFC’ practitioner, Vons Chicken.

Bonchon’s chicken is twice-fried in the Korean style, and offers chicken wings (the bestseller), drumsticks, chicken strips, and boneless wings in either a soy garlic or spicy glaze or as a half-and-half combo. The menu also features other classic Korean dishes, including bulgogi, bibimbap, and japchae.

Though Chula Vista and San Marcos have been discussed as potential areas of expansion, Bonchon tells Eater that it is currently reviewing a lease at The Collection at UTC, the new development that is replacing the old Sears building.