Korean Fried Chicken Specialist Plants First Flag in the South Bay

Hailing from South Korea, where Korean-style fried chicken is arguably the nation’s most popular fast-food, Vons Chicken will open its first San Diego area branch by the end of the year. The Korean transplant arrived in Sunnyvale, CA in 2014, and has several locations in the Bay Area as well as far-flung outposts in Boise, Idaho and Houston, Texas.

Local franchise co-owner David Chung, who will be retiring from the Navy this fall, cited the South Bay’s relative lack of Korean eateries as his reason for launching the brand in National City, where it will be part of a new K Street development. Chung says construction will likely start this week and is currently scheduled to be completed in mid-December. More locations will follow should the South Bay store prove successful.

The menu at Vons Chicken is fairly unique in that it offers oven roasted chicken as well as fried chicken and uses fresh, never frozen birds. Flavor options for its roasted chicken include garlic, wine and green onion, or soy sauce and black vinegar while its double-fried, extra-crispy Korean fried chicken is seasoned with honey butter, cheddar, or spicy-sweet “yangnyeom” sauce. Diners can order their chicken by the half or full chicken, or in a wing and drumstick combo.

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