Korean Fried Chicken Specialist Debuts in National City

South Korea’s Vons Chicken, which landed in the Bay Area in 2014 and now has 20 locations across the U.S., is opening its first San Diego franchise this Saturday in National City. Though some Vons stores also serve oven roasted chicken, this outpost is focusing on Korean fried chicken, featuring six different styles and sauces that can be applied to chicken wings, drumsticks, and boneless chicken pieces.

The takeout menu includes yangnyeom chicken coated with a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce, garlic fried chicken, crispy chicken with honey butter or cheddar cheese, padak chicken with green onions, garlic-soy chicken, and crunch fried chicken coated in five-grain powder. Sides range from kimchi fried rice to sweet potato fries and their version of the classic Korean rice cake dish, tteokbokki.

To compete with established neighborhood chicken wing spots like Royal Mandarin and Golden Chopsticks, Vons Chicken is also offering party platters of 50 or 100 wings.

Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.