Korean fried chicken. If there is one popular dish associated with Korea other than kimchi and teokbokki, Korean fried chicken would definitely make it to the top of the list. The succulent and tender meat, extra crispy skin, and the unique, mouth-watering glazes, there is no wonder why people around the world can't get enough of this Korean culinary gem.

Korean fried chicken is usually characterized by its crispy yet savory meat which customers can choose in a variety of flavors and it usually comes with potato wedges and a dip.

But when did this Korean fried chicken craze start? While we might not get a detailed answer of the actual circumstances which led to the creation of this special dish, most references point that Korean fried chicken rose to popularity during the Korean War, with a few scholars believing that the presence of the US military was perhaps key to its popularity.

Another very surprising backstory attributes the love for Korean fried chicken among Koreans back to the Joseon Dynasty, when a dish called Pogye (포계) appeared in a cook book called Sangayorok (산가요록) written by a royal doctor in the time of King Sejong. The King was known to be a meat lover making historians believe that pogye was often served on  the surasang (수라상), the Korean royal table.

Fast forward to the present day, Korean fried chicken has  become a popular food among many  people in Korea since most families live in apartment neighborhoods and it can easily be delivered and enjoyed as a relatively cheap yet delicious meal or snack. For KDIS students, this same concept is not different, especially with the relatively demanding schedule of their student life. But why 60 Chicken among all the other similar and popular Fried Chicken restaurant chains? 

The name 60 Giye Chicken (계치킨) translates to the establishment’s claim that the restaurant strictly fries only 60 pieces of chicken for 18 liters of oil thus stressing the cleanliness in preparing their fried chicken.

During a short interview with 60 Chicken Sejong branch owner Mr. Jungyeong Kim, he shared that the restaurant was started in 2020 and that the decision to choose the chain brand over the many other fried chicken chains in Korea was because personally, he thinks 60 Giye’s Chicken is really delicious yet also one of the most affordable friend chicken chains in Korea.

The strong bond between the restaurant and the KDIS students however started in 2021, but not until Mr. Kim started speaking English to the students. “I think one reason that the restaurant became a popular hangout spot among KDIS students is because I speak English and because of the welcoming vibe of the restaurant. I also think that they love it here because the food is delicious yet cheap. Personally, I want them to always feel welcomed and remember Korea as a warm and kind country that they will talk about when they go back to their home countries. Of course, I think another reason for them to come back is because I usually give them free coke,” he said. 

When asked what it means to him that KDIS students love 60 Chicken, he mentioned that having students from different countries visit the restaurant makes him feel like he was able to visit their countries as well: I want them to have good memories of Sejong City through my restaurant”, he added. One of the most memorable experiences with the KDIS students was the post-graduation party last year: “They had their party here and I gave them some presents and in return, some of the students also shared some presents with me”, he recalled.

Mr. Kim, the owner of 60 Giye Chicken in Sejong City, poses with KDIS students during a post- graduation celebration in December 2022.

As to the students, the reasons why 60 Giye Chicken is their go-to chicken place are quite unanimous:

For Leangai Palla from Cambodia, “60 Chicken became my favorite because it’s close to school, it tastes similar to our food in my country and because the owner is very friendly, generous and can speak good English compared to other restaurants.”

Guna Purbana from Indonesia shared that he and many Indonesian colleagues love 60 Giye Chicken because “It is the right choice when we are confused about what to eat and because it is open until midnight, which is perfect when we are hungry after evening classes”. He added that 60 is also quite affordable, delicious and the fact that the owner usually gives free cola and speaks good English allows easier communication among customers.

For Su Myat Thu of Myanmar, the love for 60 Giye Chicken is personal: “I really love fried chicken and 60 Chicken serves it deliciously. I think most students love it because of its proximity to the school and because the food is reasonably priced and also provides a variety of options.”

While every food primarily nourishes the body, good food and a warm and welcoming restaurant like 60 Chicken becomes special as it goes beyond that and touches people’s hearts by making them “feel at home”. For KDIS students who are away from their families and the taste of their comfort food, places like 60 Chicken provide a quick escape for them to feel the warm embrace of a hearty meal and a welcoming host. 

Certainly, for many KDI School students, the restaurant is more than a “fast food” place but a bigger part of their student life where friendships were fostered, heart breaks were expressed, and the drive to continue the fight to live another day is nourished with a simple bite of one of the crispiest, satisfying and comforting food for the stomach and the soul on this side of the world.