The Best Korean Dakgangjeong Recipe – Crispy and Sweet Fried Chicken

Have you ever heard of Korean fried chicken? It’s a popular dish in South Korea, especially well-known for its crispy honey-glazed flavor. But did you know that there is an even tastier version? It’s called Dakgangjeong, and it’s a fusion of the traditional Korean fried chicken and elements from other traditional dishes. It’s sweet, spicy, and perfectly crispy!

What Is Dakgangjeong?

Dakgangjeong translates to “Sticky Fried Chicken” and originates from Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. It’s a popular snack or finger food, with a crispy exterior and a sticky-sweet glaze. To make it, you need to marinate chicken pieces in a red pepper paste and soy sauce-based marinade, then coat them in a cornstarch-based batter and fry them in oil. The pieces are then tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce made of red pepper paste, honey, and more soy sauce.

How To Make The Best Dakgangjeong?

To get the perfect results, it’s important to choose the right ingredients and to prepare them correctly. The marinade should include not just red pepper paste and soy sauce, but also garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. The ingredients for the sauce should be mixed together, and sweeteners like honey, sugar, or corn syrup can be added, as well as some vinegar.

When coating the chicken, it’s best to use a dry batter — just cornstarch with a touch of baking powder. For the frying, use a neutral oil, like canola or peanut oil. And when cooking the chicken, it’s important to start at a low temperature before slowly raising it — this will ensure that the meat is cooked before the batter gets burnt.

Finally, when assembling the dish, it’s best to place the fried chicken on a bed of thinly sliced white onion and heat the sauce separately in a pan, with some extra oil or butter. Once it’s bubbling, pour it over the chicken pieces.

The Perfect Side Dishes to Match

Dakgangjeong goes well with beer, but if you’re eating it as a meal, it’s great served with rice, kimchi, seafood pancakes, and other side dishes. You can also serve it with some chopped fresh parsley or onion as a garnish, for extra crunch and color.

Conclusion

Dakgangjeong is a delicious variation of the classic Korean fried chicken. It’s crunchy, juicy and sticky-sweet, making it perfect for entertaining or as a snack. With the right ingredients and careful preparation, you can make the perfect Dakgangjeong at home. So why not give it a try?

For further information, visit Maangchi, a popular Korean chef and recipe writer who explains how to create the perfect dakgangjeong.