The Latest Korean Fried Chicken Lands in Rancho Penasquitos

A local franchise of a Korean fried chicken chain has opened the first of at least three locations coming to the San Diego area; Rice Chicken is now serving lunch and dinner in Rancho Penasquitos, where the 2,500-square-foot restaurant includes a bar serving beer, wine, and soju. Its fried chicken is coated in a gluten-free rice flour batter for a crispy crust; half or whole chicken pieces are available as well as wings, boneless nuggets, and gizzards. Optional sauces and toppings range from honey-garlic to sweet and spicy and snow cheese, a parmesan cheese powder.

The eatery also offers a slightly lighter version of the chicken that is battered and oven baked, instead of being deep-fried, and even does batter-less roasted chicken. There are a few sides, including sweet potato or radish pickles, and Korean-style ramen and spicy rice cakes. General manager Phillip Chung told Eater that there should be two more Rice Chicken outposts coming later this year.