Korean Fried Chicken's Global Craze

0:00On April 9, Korean fried chicken, or KFC, as is known now, has exploded worldwide. It started as an import from US soldiers after the Korean War, but South Koreans turned it into something unique, with sweet spicy sauces and double frying for that extra crunch. Today, the country boasts around 40,000 chicken joints, nearly matching the global count of McDonald's spots and Korean brands run over one. 1,800 stores in about 60 countries. The real boom kicked off in the early 2000s with international expansion, but it went viral in 2014 thanks to a hit K-drama. A simple line about pairing chicken with beer on the first snow day sparked massive lines at shops, even during bird flu scares, that birthed chimaiic culture chicken and beer as the ultimate hangout combo. Folks can't get enough. South Korea's half jokingly called the Republic of Fried Chicken. Every July, a festival in Daegu pulls in over a million fans for chimaiic feasts.

1:01Long time shop owners serve up whole birds per order, frying them twice on demand to keep them crispy, and customers from young to old keep coming back. What sets it apart is the technique starch batter that stays crisp under heavy sauces like young yom or soy garlic, perfect for delivery. Experts say its global win comes from being simple and universal, dodging religious taboos that snag other meats or dishes like kimchi. One humble birds carrying Korean culture everywhere. From soul streets to LA menus, proof that flavor knows no borders.