Sponsored by Bonchon
Bonchon has been spreading the joy of Korean comfort food since 2002, when founder Jinduk Seo had a vision for sharing his hometown flavors with the world. Once he mastered Bonchon’s signature sauces and fried chicken, he brought the first location to the U.S. in 2006. Today, there are 400 locations across the globe, with more than120 of them based in the U.S.
Bonchon translates to “my hometown” after all, so staying true to where he grew up is what motivated founder Jinduk Seo in the first place. He also knew that in order to grow the brand within the States would require innovation as well. Chicken as comfort food translates anywhere so that wasn’t an obstacle. The variety of menu items had to hit the line of true Korean cuisine with familiar American faire.
It’s no secret that Korean cuisine is rising in popularity as diners are interested in exploring more flavors, thanks in part to the culture gaining attention from television and social media. The menu items at Bonchon check all the boxes for anyone who wants familiar comfort food with a Korean kick.
Americans are increasingly interested in Korean cuisine because of the spice elements incorporated in many of the traditional dishes. Bonchon is taking this into account along with other relevant trends. Adjusting menu options is a key aspect when it comes to satisfying customers. They incorporate both spicy and non-spicy fried chicken options, creating innovative menu items to stay up-to-date on consumer trends, and tailoring menus accordingly depending on its most frequent customers.
“When creating new menu items, we focus on the fusion of our Korean roots with familiar flavors our guests love,” said Bonchon Chef Jae Park. “With the addition of our Loaded Bulgogi Fries and Korean Donuts, we are able to continue sharing Korean comfort food favorites with an American twist.”
New menu items are always being discussed or tested in the background to keep Bonchon relevant and fresh. Diners are the focus and their feedback is the driving force. For instance, The Crunchy Chicken Bowl launched last year for a limited time and was quite popular. It featured steamed white rice topped with boneless fried chicken, Romaine lettuce, sauteed assorted vegetables, sauteed carrots, and sesame seeds. The bowls also came with a side of soy sauce or bibimbap sauce. Bonchon originally introduced the new bowl in select locations but it was popular enough to merit a chain-wide launch.
This year Bonchon launched a BBQ sauce with traditional flavors.
Made with ingredients that are rooted in the brand's Korean heritage, Bonchon's Korean BBQ sauce features gochujang, rice vinegar and brown sugar, with flavors of garlic and sake balanced with sweet pear. The new sauce joins Bonchon's signature Spicy and Soy Garlic sauces, creating a trio for guests to try.
"We are always looking for new ways for our guests to experience the joys of Korean comfort food," said Bonchon Chef Jae Park. "Our Korean BBQ sauce not only offers traditional flavors but also is a new way to enjoy our famously crunchy Korean fried chicken."
Their Korean BBQ sauce will continue to expand their reach and allow more people to enjoy traditional flavors, which is all they’ve ever wanted. Bonchon is not one to sit back and allow their original menu items to grow stagnant. They are in tune with their customers and will always be guided by the demand. The more diners are wanting to explore Korean cuisine, the more new menu items will arrive for the masses.
Bonchon’s famous double crunch is what keeps people coming back for more, and with the success of Bonchon combined with their rapid expansion it’s clear that they hit the mark. Diners are clearly ready to gravitate towards a new kind of fast-casual chicken for exciting flavors while still enjoying the familiar. From Arizona to Florida, Minnesota to Virginia, and everywhere in between, diners in the U.S. are gravitating towards Bonchon’s mission and are ready to crunch out loud.
Looking to join a growing fast-casual franchise? Bonchon continues to expand around the world with over 350 international locations and rapid growth in the U.S. Bonchon has become a household name and for good reason. Click here for more information on joining the double crunch family.
