Popular BBQ Chicken Wing Restaurant Opening New Location

A popular Korean chicken wing restaurant is opening soon.Photo byMax GrissonUnsplash

The fried chicken sandwich had itself a moment not long ago. For a time, it almost felt like nothing but new taco spots and fried chicken sandwich restaurants were opening around Tucson. The influx of chicken sandwich shops has slowed to a crawl, but a different segment of the industry has been waiting in the wings. Korean fried chicken has roots in American fried chicken and has slowly popped up around Arizona. One brand in particular has opened several locations in the state, and with the lease of a new property, has plans on opening a new restaurant in Tucson.

Bonchon currently has three restaurants in the state. While two are located up north in the Valley, a third here in Tucson can be found at 6310 East Tanque Verde Road (Suite 110). However, a new location is planned for 800-802 North 4th Avenue. Bonchon rented out both addresses to give it over 1,400 square feet of restaurant space. Right at the intersection with 4th and University, this should prove to be a prime location for anyone interested in enjoying Korean fried chicken.

Korean fried chicken dates back to the Korean War, when American G.I.s served in the country. During the holidays, when turkey wasn’t available, fried chicken became a popular substitute. While the U.S. military eventually left, the concept of fried chicken remained. Over the decades, the chicken was adapted to incorporate local spices and seasoning, and, as a result, you can find both sweet and spicy variations of the classic dish, giving you both something familiar and different in every bite.

If you have not been to the other Tucson location in the past, you begin by ordering wings, drumsticks, strips, boneless, or a combo. You then choose a sauce of soy garlic, spicy, or Korean BBQ (you can go half and half as well). The side-dish options are also unique and include potstickers (fried pork or vegetable dumplings), Korean tacos, bao buns (steamed buns with cucumber, coleslaw, spicy mayo, and katsu sauce), popcorn shrimp, edamame, and Bulgogi Fries (french fries topped with USDA select certified beef, mozzarella cheese, spicy mayo, and green onions).

You also have the option of ordering larger main dishes, such as Japchae (glass noodles with red peppers, carrots, onions, spinach, mushrooms, and bulgogi beef stir-fried with a soy garlic sauce), house-fried rice, and udon noodle soup. Other sides include french fries, seasoned fries, onion rings, kimchi, and coleslaw. It truly is a perfect combination of American and Korean flavors in one restaurant.

There is no official date for when the restaurant will open, but as the lease has been signed, work on the location should start soon.