More places to grab some Korean fried chicken are expected to open later this year in Colorado. Bonchon opened its Buchtel Blvd. location about a week ago, and owner Henry Lee is planning a couple of other locations to open in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Lee told What Now Denver he has signed a franchise agreement to bring a total of 10 Bonchon locations to Colorado, and he has locations set for Westminster and Colorado Springs. The Westminster restaurant will be at 8805 Eaton St., while the Colorado Springs location will open at 11010 Cross Peak View.
Lee owns three Bonchon restaurants currently in operation in Colorado—the Denver spot on Buchtel, one on E. Northfield Blvd. in Central Park and another on S. Cornerstar Way in Aurora.
“When I opened the first one, I wasn’t sure how Coloradans would accept it. But, so far, it’s been a huge hit. Korean fried chicken is so different from American fried chicken in the sense that the flavor’s just so unique, and the double-dipped batter is double-fried, it’s so crispy. It’s so light and crispy,” Lee explained.
Menu items include wings, drums, and strips that are hand-battered, double fried, and hand-brushed with Bonchon’s signature sauce, soy garlic. “It only takes one time for a customer to try it, and then they’re addicted already. It’s that good. The flavors are so unique,” Lee said. Bonchon also serves spicy.
“Even though we are known for chicken, our menu is pretty diverse. We also have Bulgogi, which is marinated ribeye, and that’s a pretty traditional Korean dish, as well as our Asian-fusion dishes like pork buns, Japchae, Bull Dak, fried rice,” Lee explained. Appetizers include pot stickers, seasoned fries, edamame, sliders, and more. The menu also includes more cocktails. “Normally, we’ve really focused on our chicken and beer.”
Lee is looking at RiNo and Lone Tree as other possible neighborhoods for Bonchon.
