Korean fried chicken houses in Hong Kong seem to be going the way of ramen joints – always good to know there are more places to get your
fix but, in terms of newsworthiness, losing currency. Also like ramen joints, newer KFC temples are emphasising authenticity, with more brands from Korea opening shop all the time.
And that’s the hook with new Lee Theatre Plaza spot Dodam Chicken. The large space, in which deep burgundy and blue offsets white tiling and exposed black beam fixtures, actually houses two existing brands from Korea: Hwaggaduk, the world’s first chicken baked in a pizza oven, and Dodam, a straight-up fried chicken brand which launched in May but has already become a massive cult fave south of the 38th parallel.
To begin, we tuck into the baked garlic chicken ($185). By any measure, the bird has no right to be as juicy as this. The sauce is a sticky, gooey, glorious mess, with just the right kick of garlic. Next is the deep-fried crunch spicy chicken ($185). It actually needs more spice but that’s our only gripe with this crunchy delight. We also try the Hwaggaduk french fries ($128), topped with a Korean-style cheese which has a sweetness to it. Basically, top service, ace authentic dishes and a comfortable setting. Dodam makes a solid case for sticking to a tried-and- tested formula.