In Korea, chicken is the nation's favorite snack -- and this is evident in the sheer abundance of fried chicken joints there, according to Young Il Yoon, the owner of bb.q Chicken.
How important is chicken to the franchise? It's important enough to have opened Chicken University -- a training center in Seoul, Korea, that hosts courses in everything from cooking to management. To the biz, running a franchise means education and constant training to consistently produce delicious fried chicken. Plus, its Korean-style fried chicken stands out because it's fried in olive oil, a healthier option.
Yoon shares more about bb.q Chicken's tasty fried chicken and other offerings.
DO: How would you describe the ambiance of bb.q Chicken?
YY: Our place has a warm and welcoming vibe with a lively and fun atmosphere that goes great with our Korean-style fried chicken. We play K-pop and K-dramas all day, so it really feels like you're enjoying authentic Korean fried chicken right in Korea.
DO: The name of the restaurant stands for "Best of the Best Quality." What makes your dishes this way?
YY: We bring sauces, seasonings and all other ingredients from Korea to ensure the most authentic taste. Our whole chicken is hand-cut and marinated according to the bb.q manual. Rather than focusing on convenience, we prioritize taste and high quality by strictly following and managing these detailed processes. This commitment to detail ensures that bb.q Chicken provides the best of the best quality.
DO: What are some of your bestselling chicken dishes?
YY: One of our bestselling dishes is Golden Fried Wings ($18.99 for nine pieces; $31.99 for 18 pieces) with a perfectly crisp outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. There is also the Honey Garlic Wings ($18.99 for nine pieces; $31.99 for 18 pieces), which features our honey garlic sauce that blends the sweetness of honey with the savory depth of garlic.
For a popular Korean favorite, we also have Whole Chicken Golden Fried & Secret ($32.99) comprised of ban-ban chicken, which is a half golden-fried and half sauced-covered whole chicken. We start by hand-cutting a whole chicken and frying it to crispy, golden-brown perfection. Then, we mix it up -- one half with our secret spicy sauce (called yang nyeom in Korean) and the other half golden-brown crispy chicken. It's the best of both worlds in one dish, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
DO: What other dishes do you sell besides chicken?
YY: The Works Ddeokbokki ($16.99) is a deliciously spicy and sweet Korean street food favorite. This dish features chewy rice cakes cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce made from gochujang (Korean red chile paste). We add fried mandoo, sausage and Spam before being topped with sesame seeds and green onions. A lot of customers add cheese for the perfect cheese pull.
Our Honey Garlic Fries ($7.99) are really crispy, and a lot of customers talk about its uniquely delicious flavors. We drizzle honey garlic sauce on top of crispy fries and add furikake on top. It's really good.
For a drink, there is the Lemon Boy ($2). This is a refreshing drink that combines sparkling lemonade and a pu-erh tea blend, offering a unique twist to excite your taste buds. You can drink it on its own or use it as a mixer with whiskey or soju.
DO: Are there any current specials?
YY: With our rewards program, for every 100 points, you get $10 off your next purchase. Follow our Instagram (@bbqchickenhawaii) and sign up for our newsletter to keep up with new promotions.