Bonchon Chicken - Korean, South San Francisco

Westborough Blvd, South San Francisco CA 94080
Parking: crowded shopping center parking lot
http://www.bonchon.com/
Hours: 12pm -2:30pm, 5pm - 9pm

Last Visited: October 22, 2014

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

While Bonchon Chicken is a chain restaurant, the amount of hype for it in the Peninsula warrants a review. Recently opened at Westborough Square, this place is packed on a weeknight evening during this soft grand opening.  If you want to watch a game, there are a ton of screens - at least one on each wall, and more than that on some walls.  A minimal amount of bar seating is also available.

- Chicken Combo - Combos come with pickled radish as a side.  Depending on the combo size you select, you may be given additional sides - you can choose from coleslaw, kimchi coleslaw, kimchi, french fries, or steamed rice.  The chicken is offered with your choice of Soy Garlic (soy sauce and garlic mix) or Hot sauce (made with red chili peppers).  We got half and half so we could try both - I didn't have a preference between them though. The skin is crispy, even for the big pieces of chicken, and you'll appreciate the crunch.  Even with the sauce, it's still crispy, but you won't be able to get additional sauce - it's brushed onto the chicken, so after frying, it's a dry addition.  The chicken is juicy on the inside, but most of the flavoring is on the skin, so this is an area of improvement - I would love to see the flavor infused into the chicken.  See comments about sides below.  Small (6 wings, 3 drums) $12.95, Medium (10 wings, 5 drums) $21.95, Large (15 wings, 8 drums) $29.95, Extra Large (20 wings, 10 drums) $36.95

Wings, strips, or drums of various sizes can also be ordered on their own.

Sides - Depending on the size of chicken you order, you will have a choice of sides.  Pickled radish comes with all of the chicken.  Additional choices include french fries, coleslaw, kimchee coleslaw, kimchee, and steamed rice.  I found the pickled radish to be refreshing, but aged - not as tender as it could have been if the radish had been younger.  The fries are crispy and good.  The kimchee coleslaw could be a lot spicier - it's basically coleslaw with a mild kick.

- Bibimbob  - Steamed rice served with assorted vegetables and Korean pepper sauce in a sizzling hot pot - choice of bulgogi, seafood, or spicy chicken.  Compared to other places serving this, I found the dish to be a bit on the smaller side and rather unremarkable.  It will pass if you want to have it, but it's not a wow experience.  $13.95

Aside from chicken, you'll also find other Asian appetizers including edamame, octopus dumplings, potstickers, and seafood pancake on the menu.

Service is ok - they're friendly and check on you, but there is room for improvement - like filling your water glass in a more timely way.  There were many take out orders the evening of my visit and that seemed to keep servers busy as the main counter became a very busy place.

Bonchon is worth checking out to try something different, but stick to the chicken - a better version of the other items can be found at places that specialize in Korean and other Asian cuisine.