Global Korean Fried Chicken Specialists Bonchon Set To Expand San Diego Presence

May 3, 2020

Adding to its more than 300 locations around the globe, New York-based Korean fried chicken empire Bonchon will open more San Diego locations in the near future.

Founded by Jinduk Seo in South Korea in 2002, the first U.S. location of Bonchon opened in Fort Lee, NJ in 2006. Not long after, Bonchon relocated its headquarters to New York City and opened its flagship restaurant in the heart of Manhattan. The franchise now has more than 300 worldwide locations with more than 50 of them in the United States. Bonchon means "my hometown" in Korean and is meant to pay homage to the company’s roots in Busan, South Korea. The first San Diego location opened on Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa in 2018, with a second San Diego branch scheduled to open later this month at 1460 E. Plaza Boulevard in National City. The third Bonchon was recently announced for the expansion of The Village at Pacific Highland Ranch in Carmel Valley, which also houses Wokou, Pacific Social and Madero's. Additional outposts area also in planning stage for Oceanside, San Marcos and La Jolla's The Collection at UTC, which is currently under construction.

Bonchon's menu is centered around Korean-style fried chicken, served with a soy garlic or spicy glaze and garnished with pickled radish. The menu also offers an expansive selection of small and entree-portion Asian fusion dishes, including bulgogi sliders, takoyaki balls, bao buns, bibimbap, japchae, katsu, and bull dak - a mixture of spicy chicken and stir-fried rice cakes with mozzarella and scallions. The San Diego locations are owned by franchisee Hosik Bang of 2 HGE Inc., the San Diego locations.

Bonchon Carmel Valley is anticipated to open in early 2021. For more information about Bonchon, visit bonchon.com.