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Two years ago, I wasn’t really familiar with Korean fried chicken. I knew it existed, of course, but it wasn’t really on my radar. KyoChon was the first Korean restaurant my partner introduced me to, and I still remember that first meal…

It was love at first bite.

Since then, I’ve tried plenty of Korean fried chicken and discovered quite a few favourites along the way. Still, KyoChon remains my benchmark whenever I try one elsewhere, and I always find myself coming back. Not because I’m biased, but because I genuinely enjoy the quality.

Recently, I was even honoured to be hosted by KyoChon with a dining credit as a thank-you gesture for my previous review. Just to be transparent, it wasn’t a paid review, and neither are my other restaurant reviews. I simply share my experiences.

For this visit, I let the KyoChon team surprise me with the menu. The CEO had personally asked the team to introduce me to the Cheese Truffle, their exclusive BTS Saranghae Set and imported Korean Melona ice cream, so I was beyond excited to try them for the first time.

Let’s just say I left with a very happy tummy, and I was this close to doing a little happy dance on the way out. 😂

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Yangnyeom Boneless Chicken Rice Bowl

I have to say, the rice bowl was much more generous than I expected. My partner and I normally have a pretty good appetite, especially when there’s spicy chicken involved, but this bowl was satisfying enough that neither of us felt the need to look for dinner afterwards.

The first thing that surprised me was the flavour. Despite its red colour, the Yangnyeom chicken wasn’t spicy at all to me, although it might have a mild kick for those who are more sensitive to heat. It actually leaned more towards the sweet side, which I think makes it a great option for anyone who enjoys Korean fried chicken but doesn’t particularly enjoy the heat or prefers something milder.

The combination in the bowl worked really well too. You get the Yangnyeom chicken together with the rice, salad, fried egg and seaweed, and somehow everything just came together nicely in each bite. It was comforting, filling and, most importantly, actually enjoyable to eat rather than just being there to make the bowl look pretty.

 

And Yes, I Still Love the Pickled Radish

Then we have the pickled radish.

My forever favourite.

I think KyoChon is actually responsible for getting me into eating pickled radish in the first place. Now, I would probably be genuinely grumpy if my order arrived without it.

Drama much?

Maybe.

But seriously, that crunchy, slightly tangy bite is exactly what I want between all that fried chicken. It helps freshen up the palate and makes the whole meal feel less heavy.

So yes, KyoChon, please don’t ever forget my pickled radish. I have expectations now. Haha.

 

 

Salsal Balls: Small but Seriously Crunchy

These bite-sized pieces are made with 100% boneless chicken breast and coated in KyoChon’s special rice crispies batter instead of the usual flour coating.

And yes, they are seriously crunchy.

I really liked the texture because the rice crispies coating gives them a light, delicate crunch without feeling too thick. At the same time, the chicken inside stays tender and juicy, so you get that crunch first before getting to the soft chicken.

They are also small enough to pop into your mouth without making a complete mess, which is always a bonus when you’re dealing with fried chicken.

They came with a dipping sauce that I believe was the Honey Mustard Sauce, and this was where my partner and I had completely different opinions.

He wasn’t a fan because, well, he’s not really into mustard.

Me?

I couldn’t stop dipping.

The sauce was creamy with a slight tang, and it worked surprisingly well with the coating, and I kept going back for another dip. Thankfully, I didn’t have to share much of the sauce since my partner wasn’t interested. 😂

Sometimes, having different food preferences in a relationship has its advantages. Haha.

 

 

The Seaweed Soup Surprised Me

One thing I didn’t expect to enjoy this much was the seaweed soup.

I’ve had it at KyoChon before, and if I’m being honest, I didn’t particularly enjoy it. I remember finding the taste a little too fishy for my liking.

But this time, something felt different.

I noticed there was chopped garlic in the soup, and for me, that made a big difference. The garlic seemed to cut through the taste I didn’t like before and made the soup much more enjoyable.

I’m not sure if the recipe has changed, if it has always been this way, or if my taste buds have simply changed over time. Either way, this time I actually found myself enjoying it.

And if KyoChon has improved the soup, then I’m definitely not complaining.

 

And of course,

The BTS V Premium Accordion Book.

I know BTS, but I’m not exactly a huge K-pop fan. Even so, I thought it was a really nice little keepsake from the experience, and I’m definitely keeping it as part of my KyoChon memories. 

If you’re already thinking, “Okay, where can I get this?”

The Saranghae Combo is available at 29 selected KyoChon outlets across Malaysia from 1 August to 18 September 2026.

Since it’s a limited-quantity promotion, I’d recommend checking with your preferred outlet before making a special trip. You can check the full list of participating outlets and availability [here]

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✅ Cheese Truffle: The One That Really Surprised Me

KyoChon introduced the Cheese Truffle Series in April 2026.

I’m quite particular when it comes to anything with a cheese flavour because, honestly, I’m not that into cheese. So when my partner tried it first, he immediately looked at my face to see my reaction.

And you know that Mark Wiens face whenever he tries something new? The wide eyes and…

“Wait, this is actually good”  kind of expression?

Yeah. That was basically me. Haha.

I took my first bite and instantly said, “I love this.”

The first thing that got me was the texture. It was so crispy that both of us could hear that crunch the moment we bit into it. Once I got through that golden crust, the chicken inside was juicy and tender. It was clear that the chicken had been cooked really well.

What makes the Cheese Truffle different is that the chicken isn’t covered in a heavy, wet sauce. Instead, it’s dusted with truffle cheese powder, giving every piece that distinctive snowy coating. I actually like that the seasoning is dusted onto the chicken rather than drenched in liquid sauce, because the coating doesn’t become soggy, so you can still enjoy that satisfying texture even after the chicken has been sitting for a while.

The flavour combines cheese with aromatic truffle notes, giving it a rich, savoury taste with a subtle sweetness and that lovely umami depth. Surprisingly, the cheese didn’t overpower the chicken either, which I think is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

 

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✅ Tteokbokki: A Korean Classic Side Dish

Before we started digging into everything else, we actually tried the Tteokbokki first.

Both of us liked the sauce straight away. It had that familiar Korean gochujang flavour, but without the fiery heat. That meant I could enjoy the sauce and all the other flavours without my mouth being on fire. There was a gentle richness to it, balanced with a savoury depth that made me want another bite. The sauce was thick enough to cling nicely to the rice cakes, but it never felt heavy.

And then there were the rice cakes, which were probably my favourite part. They were soft, chewy and satisfyingly bouncy when I bit into them. I love that kind of texture because it makes the dish feel more substantial rather than just being something to eat alongside the chicken.

The portion was also just right for the meal we had that day. It wasn’t so much that we felt overwhelmed with food, but there was enough for both of us to enjoy without fighting over the last piece. 😁

For me, this was the kind of Tteokbokki that’s easy to enjoy. Comforting, chewy and satisfying without being too spicy.

And yes, I would happily order it again.

 

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✅ Dessert: Melona Ice Cream

Melona is a popular Korean ice cream bar known for its creamy texture and fruity flavours. KyoChon currently offers several flavours, including Melon, Mango and Strawberry, with each stick priced at RM4.50. 

I had the chance to try it after our meal, and the first thing I noticed was how creamy it looked and tasted. It wasn’t overly sweet or heavy. Instead, the flavour was soft and mellow, with a gentle fruity taste that made it really easy to enjoy after all the savoury food.

The texture was also smoother and creamier than I expected from an ice cream bar, and I actually found myself taking my time with it instead of finishing it in three bites. Haha.

It was such a nice way to end the meal. After fried chicken, rice bowls and all those bold savoury flavours, I didn’t want a dessert that would overwhelm me with sweetness. I just wanted something cool, creamy and refreshing, and Melona did exactly that.

KyoChon also offers Melona Mocktails, where a whole Melona bar is served inside a fizzy fruit drink. The current options include Watermelon Strawberry Cooler, Fizzy Mango Rose and Apple Cooler.

I haven’t tried these yet, but I’m definitely curious to give one a try on my next visit.

 

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✅ Grateful for the Warm Hospitality

Good food is one thing, but good service really does make the whole experience better.

I have to give a little credit to the team at KyoChon IOI City Mall too. This outlet is almost always busy whenever I visit, yet the staff still manage to keep things running smoothly. Customers aren’t left waiting for too long, and the moment a table becomes available, someone is already there cleaning it and getting it ready for the next customer. 

During this visit, I noticed the same efficiency, but there was also a warmth to the way the team interacted with us. Since I was being hosted, the supervisor checked in on us a couple of times to make sure everything was going well. I really appreciated that because it felt attentive without ever feeling intrusive.

They gave us enough space to enjoy our meal and have our own conversation, while still being around whenever we needed anything. That balance is something I really value when dining at a restaurant.

From the moment we arrived until we left, the team made us feel welcomed and well taken care of. Everyone looked quite serious and focused while working, but once you actually spoke to them, they were really helpful and professional.

 

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✅ Give KyoChon a Try If You Haven’t Yet

If you’ve never been to KyoChon before, maybe it’s time to give it a try. 

Not sure where to start? You can always go for one of the more familiar flavours like Soy Garlic, or try the Shinhwa if you enjoy a little heat. But honestly, there’s no wrong place to start. There are plenty of flavours to explore depending on what you enjoy.

What I appreciate about KyoChon is the attention to detail that goes into the chicken. It doesn’t feel like they are simply trying to give you a plate of fried chicken. From the coating and the choice of chicken to the canola oil they use for frying and change daily, you can tell there’s a little more thought behind how they prepare it. For me, that’s what makes the price worth paying.

It’s also halal-certified, making it a great option for Muslim diners who want to enjoy Korean fried chicken without having to second-guess what they’re eating. 

I’ve also written another KyoChon review that focuses more on the restaurant itself and why I keep coming back. If you’re curious, you can read it here: [KyoChon Review: Why I Keep Coming Back For Their Korean Chicken]

After this visit, I still stand by what I said before:

KyoChon remains my benchmark when it comes to Korean fried chicken.

And judging by how happy my tummy was when I walked out of IOI City Mall that day, I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon.

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Wanderhoney rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)

Til my next visit,
Auri Duham 🌻

 

 

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