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It may have been popularized by the K-drama craze “My Love from the Star,” but the combination of Korean Fried Chicken and beer isn't going away any time soon. For the KFC connoisseur, there are two popular variations: yangnyeom tongdak—spicy glazed chicken, and dakgangjeong—chicken with a sweet soy glaze, perfect for the chili-intolerant. Head to a Korean “hof”—named after the German hofbräuhaus, “court brewery”—to get your fill of this match made in heaven.
 

Chicken Hof & Soju (Lee Family Chicken)

The True OG
Chicken Hof & Soju (or Lee Family Chicken, as it's more commonly known) is probably the hof that started the KFC craze in Hong Kong, and most nights it’s got lines reaching far down Austin Avenue. And nope, still no reservations allowed. Yes, Lee Ga is the Yardbird of the KFC scene. Perhaps the popularity comes from the fact that it's a dimly lit, bare-bones diner that brings the hipsters in droves; maybe it’s just the huge portions. Each order gets you an entire mountain of fried chicken, from breast to drumstick, in assorted flavors. Newly opened down the road is a takeaway branch, which serves sets such as popcorn chicken cups with coke ($28), and full platters of yangnyeom tongdak or dakgangjeong ($138), chicken with spring onion ($158) and their original chicken ($128). HK Islanders don't have to brave the maze that is TST: they also have a branch in Wan Chai.
 
G/F, Kam Kok Mansion, 84 Kimberley Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2375-8080. Open daily 2pm-6am.
Shop C, G/F, Wah Fat Mansion, 405-419 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai, 2176-4598/2176-4599. Open daily, 2pm-6am.
 

Oppa Chicken
Oppa Chicken Style
Those who live in Western district can finally savor some worthy Korean fried poultry in the form of Oppa Chicken. Located on the farther reaches of Sai Ying Pun, this place may be a cosy squeeze, but it offers some unbeatable deals for lunch: five pieces of drumsticks and wings with fries and radish pickles will set you back just $39. You can also get baskets of chicken à la carte. Try the chicken glazed in sweet and spicy sauce ($168 for combo with original-style KFC)—extra crispy skin with just enough heat, and just enough sweet. Top it off with some seaweed-covered rice balls, crispy and well-cooked cheese-flavored fries, and moreish egg rolls with gooey cheese. Wash it all down with cheap Korean beers and soju, of course.
Shop M, 419 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 6608-0803. Open Tue-Sun, 11:30am-3pm, 6:30pm-midnight.
 
 

Uncle Padak
Young Padak-one
Another KFC locale in Sai Ying Pun is Uncle Padak. It’s a casual diner that serves up crispy wings and drumsticks, and juicy chicken chunks. Go for lunch: Uncle P’s sets are great value at $78, which gets you a mixed plate of every type of chicken they offer, with salad, pickled veggies (keepin’ it healthy) and rice balls.
 
Shop D, G/F, 59 High St., Sai Ying Pun, 2117-9792. Open Tue-Sun, noon-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm.
 
 

Emperor Chicken
KFC On the Go
Open since 2013, the small, family-owned Emperor Chicken is tucked away in the food court of Sham Shui Po’s Dragon Centre. It seems an unlikely location for a KFC pilgrimage, but it’s worth the visit: Emperor is one of few establishments offering boneless KFC in a street-snack size portion. There are three different flavors: “Korean Spicy” that’s packed with heat, a milder “Sweet and Spicy” and the juicy, chili-free "Sweet Soy." The chicken comes in three sizes ($33-75). Make sure to go early, as the resto only fries up a limited batch each day to keep the chicken as fresh as possible. 
 
8/F, Good Court, Dragon Centre, 37 Yen Chow St., Sham Shui Po, 6689-6533. Open Tue-Sun 10am-10pm.
 
 

Fairyland
Your Body is a Fairyland
For hassle-free hof check out Fairyland, an establishment with all the KFC essentials but non of the long lines—for now, at least. Fairyland offers fried chicken in a bunch of ways: the traditional glazed variations, the no-frills fried original and—unique to Fairyland—grilled fried chicken ($210), which is a plate of small, juicy pieces of chicken marinated in a flavorful sauce. Grilled fried chicken is served with garlic and jalapeño, while other chicken dishes are served with homemade potato chips. We tried their combo plate of spicy and original fried chicken—and when they say spicy, they’re really not messing about. Adventurous foodies, go forth!
 
G/F, Hong Kong Offshore Centre, 28 Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2556-0906. Open daily 3pm-2am.
 

Chum Chum Mi
Chum Chum Nom
Relocated from their original space in the Miramar Mall, Chum Chum Mi is now housed around the corner, behind a Japanese bar/shisha den in FHP Mall. If you’re the type who can’t stand eating at a grubby fast food restaurant, this is a great alternative for your KFC fix. Chum Chum Mi serves up solid offerings of juicy and tender chicken. More of a traditional Korean diner, It mainly offers barbecue dishes and signature K-cuisine—think stews, pancakes, the works. The “ban ban chicken” ($162), a combo plate of spicy and original KFC, plus yangnyeom chicken ($178) may cost a little more than average—but you’re also paying for friendly staff and a nice, warm ambience.
 
Shop 17-20 & 31-34, G/F, FHP Shopping Centre, 37-41 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2363-1100. Open daily noon-midnight.
 
Mister, I’d Like Some More
Located up one of those ubiquitous towers of restaurants in Causeway Bay, Mr. Korea Chicken boasts of being the best-tasting KFC joint in Hong Kong. MKC dishes up delicious fried chicken in fourteen different variations (from $128), from original to soy garlic to spicy, sweet gangjeong chicken—and different cuts ranging from wings right down to the feet. Best of all, it’s all available for takeout. Also on the menu is a great selection of sides that pair perfectly with beer: think sizzling panfried chicken with cheese ($138), kimchi or cheese omelet roll ($88), or for the more adventurous diners, pan-fried K-style blood sausage ($138). Alternatively, come after a night of boozing for their hefty Hangover ramen ($58).
21/F, Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung St., Causeway Bay, 2849-5688. Open Mon-Sat, noon-3pm, 5pm-midnight.
		 
 

Red Chicken
K-Pop Pub Grub
Low lighting, K-pop blasting through the speakers, big beers and big plates of food. That’s Red Chicken’s MO. Alongside spicy stews and hot seafood plates, you can also dig into the resto’s original KFC. Try one of the interesting fried chicken variations, such as KFC covered in carbonara sauce, or glazed with honey and lemon. And to wash it all down? Choose from the long list of Soju cocktails: they come in nine different fruity flavors including peach, pomegranate, cherry and pineapple.
 
Shop B, UG/F, Pacific Building, 65-67B Kimberley Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2722-7274. Open daily 5pm-3:30am. 
 

Sanche

Central Chicken
Craving KFC on the Island? Check out Sanche, which offers modern Korean fare in a comfortable and stylish atmosphere. The chicken gangjeong nuggets—two-bite sized, boneless pieces of juiciness—are quite reasonably priced for Central standards at $128, and an excellent accompanying garlicky gochujang (red pepper) sauce gives the chicken a mildly hot and sweet flavor. Portions may seem a tad whittled down compared to those in Tsim Sha Tsui hofs though, so you may want to order a little more to accompany your chicken.
 
Shop C, 32 Gage St., Central, 2628-3248. Open Mon-Sat noon-3pm; 6-11pm.
 


Hold Your Spice
Yeah, we know it’s spicy. Stop being a wimp, order the real thing, and then learn to deal with it. These essential side orders should help.



 
Korean liquors at Sanche
 
Cold Beer Of course. For authenticity, order Korean brands such as Hite or Cass.
 
Soju Clear, colorless and dangerous. If you’re looking to get so crunk that your taste buds are numbed anyway, go for the more potent fruit-flavored soju cocktails.
 
Makgeolli/Makkoli An effervescent malty rice wine. Halfway between beer and soju. 
 
Pickled White Radish The tart flavor and cool crunch of radish will soothe your palate faster than you can say “yangnyeom.”
 
That pile of thinly sliced lettuce with Thousand Island dressing Don’t ignore this stray offering. The tartness of the dressing can make this salad a lifesaver for your tongue. We won’t tell.
 



 


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