Bonchon, the Korean fried chicken chain, is opening in White Plains. What to know

Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·2 min read

Chicken lovers take note: Bonchon, the fast-casual Asian fusion brand known for its hand-battered, crispy Korean fried chicken, is opening its first Westchester location Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. in White Plains.

The new restaurant, at 220 Main St., features starters like pork buns, potstickers, Korean tacos, popcorn shrimp and Takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise) and entrees like Tteokbokki (rice cakes simmered in spicy broth with fish cakes, scallions, and onions topped with mozzarella cheese and kimari), bibimbap, and Chicken Katsu (breaded chicken cutlet served with steamed rice, drizzled with katsu sauce and spicy mayo).

Sides include kimchi, pickled radish, Korean street corn, coleslaw and fries. Diners can also enjoy bubble tea and Korean doughnuts.

Korean fried chicken and Korean tacos are among the specialties at Bonchon. The fast casual chicken restaurant opens Nov. 8 in White Plains. Photographed Nov. 6, 2023
Korean fried chicken and Korean tacos are among the specialties at Bonchon. The fast casual chicken restaurant opens Nov. 8 in White Plains. Photographed Nov. 6, 2023

But it's the signature hand-brushed Korean double-fried chicken, available in wings, drumsticks, strips or boneless versions, that has devotees excited, especially when you can add a choice of sauces such as soy garlic, spicy mayo, Japanese mayo, buttermilk ranch, cucumber wasabi ranch or half and half.

Jeanne Muchnick's Best Thing I Ate: Root2RiseNY's avocado toast (& more) in Pleasantville

The brand, locally owned by franchisees Fiona Lee and Chris Shin, and with multiple locations in Manhattan, is widely embraced by chicken lovers across the globe. It's been recognized by Business Insider as "the gold standard for fried chicken" and included on Nation's Restaurant News' 2022 "Top 500 Restaurants," as well as Fast Casual Magazine's 2023 "Top 100 Movers & Shakers" and Entrepreneur's 2022 "Franchise 500," "Fastest Growing Franchises," "Top Food Franchise" and "Top Global Franchise" lists.

The company, with more than 400 restaurants across eight countries, was founded in South Korea in 2002 and has been in the U.S. since in 2006. Bonchon's social media is what helped set it on fire, by asking its fans to "Crunch Out Loud" and join it's "Crunch Club."

Shin said he chose White Plains for a variety of reasons, mainly its metropolitan feel and its potential. If all goes well there, he added, he will definitely be looking for other local locations.

The staff at Bonchon are ready to serve you. The fast casual fried chicken restaurant, with locations worldwide, will open its first eatery in Westchester on Nov. 8 at 220 Main Street in White Plains. Photographed Nov. 6, 2023
The staff at Bonchon are ready to serve you. The fast casual fried chicken restaurant, with locations worldwide, will open its first eatery in Westchester on Nov. 8 at 220 Main Street in White Plains. Photographed Nov. 6, 2023

If you go

Address: 220 Main St., White Plains, 914-922-2001, bonchon.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Bonchon korean fried chicken opens first restaurant in Westchester NY