Bok a Bok Fried Chicken

I admit that I am apparently late to the party on this one.

First, we really don’t eat out very much. It is expensive for us (5 kids plus two parents who ALL love eat) and we find it hard to find something worth the time and expense. Not to sound more pretentious than I normally do, but there aren’t a lot of restaurants doing things that are that much better than what we do at home.

The one major exception to this of course is hyper-ethnic food and since we live in the PNW, we get some REALLY GOOD Asian food. I have made some at home, but the more focused it gets, the more likely I am willing to head out of the house and give it a go.

One of the most recent stops was Bok a Bok Fried Chicken.

I didn’t realize it until later but I knew I had seen this joint before. Their Korean-style fried chicken was something that I remember hearing was in and around Seattle.

Wife and I went out for ice cream (the other item worth the drive into the city) and around the corner from her favorite spot (Frankie and Jos) was the bright red, blue and yellow sign between Pike and Union Streets on Seattle’s Capitol Hill in the spot once featuring Pike Street Fish Fry (also delicious years ago).

Bok a Bok now has three locations around Seattle (White Center, Burien and Capitol Hill) and was featured on Diners Drive-In’s and Dives (which is where I saw it and is playing on repeat in their restaurant) and say what you want about Guy Fieri but outside of Bourdain’s old shows, doesn’t Guy have the coolest job out there? We have eaten at several spots he featured and rarely were disappointed. This one too, worth the effort.

When I got there, I didn’t know what exactly to order. I literally wanted to try it all and wouldn’t you know it, they had a “sampler” menu that did just that, so I ordered it.

Bok a Bok sells themselves as Korean-style fried chicken, which I am not sure what it exactly means (do they have a “thing” over there where they do great fried chicken??? I honestly don’t know) but what I figured allows them to call it that is the Korean “flavors” they have spread around so many of their menu items.

They say they are air-dried, non GMO, blah blah but at the end of the day you taste delicious and unique flavors in a fun and casual atmosphere. I also bet they crush it on Door Dash.

From Korean spice added to their wings, thighs and drumsticks to their kimchi Mac and cheese (awesome) and spiced honey on their biscuits (prob not Korean but super delicious) and then their assortment of house sauces like umami ketchup, some cool hot sauce, a housemade ranch and a miso ginger. ALL AWESOME.

So, whether you think it is genuinely Korean or not or think fried chicken should only come from the South (just wait til I tell you about Roost in no-kidding, Bozeman MT!), you are missing out if you don’t hit up one of their locations. Who cares if Guy’s face is painted on the wall, go, eat, and love it.