The trend of sweet, sour, and spicy Korean red sauce fried chicken is on the rise — pair it with a bottle of beer for the perfect match.

Text and photos by /Orange Dog Loves Candy

Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market is always buzzing with creative snacks and trendy new treats, and the very first popular Korean fried chicken spot also started here. From the early days of “Brother Park” to now when even street vendors sell Korean fried chicken, the influence of Korean pop culture is undeniable. After all, even the original Korean chain “777” came to Taiwan to open a branch, proving how much Taiwanese people love this flavor. And this 【Chicken & Beer Korean Fried Chicken Specialty Shop】 on Wenhua Road is probably the third shop in the area to serve Korean fried chicken. Though its location is not very noticeable and there are a few Korean fried chicken stalls just outside the alley that draw away some customers, I feel its flavor still stands out.

It’s only just past 5:30 PM, and the energy of Fengjia Night Market is just beginning to wake up — the crowd is gradually gathering but not yet overwhelming.

Actually, Chicken & Beer isn’t easy to find, as it’s a shopfront hidden behind the bustling stalls lining Wenhua Road.

In the past, this spot might’ve just been somewhere you’d occasionally peek into the pet store next door to see the dogs. This 【Chicken & Beer Korean Fried Chicken Specialty Shop】 seems to be a relatively new addition, though it doesn’t get too crowded on weekdays.

Though the shop space is small (though not really that small — it actually looks bigger than 777!), I really like the color scheme of the decor.

It feels more like a café vibe, with light green walls and simple poster decorations.

Overall, it gives off a clean and comfortable impression, and not only offers dine-in but also takeout services with cute packaging boxes.

However, unlike other Korean fried chicken shops, they currently only serve fried chicken dishes — no other Korean food options. The staff mentioned that their sauces and breading are imported from Korea, and I actually really liked the taste.

In terms of choices, there are slightly fewer options, but the fried chicken comes in three flavors: original, red sauce, and black sauce. Prices are divided into full and half portions, but overall, it’s much more affordable compared to the nearby 777 Fried Chicken.

And of course, they have beer — the essential pairing for Korean fried chicken — with several options to choose from. The prices are a bit higher, but after watching Korean dramas, you’ll definitely feel like having beer with your fried chicken or grilled meat.

【Classic Red Sauce Fried Chicken / Half Portion / 219 TWD】
The fried chicken is made fresh to order, so you’ll have to wait about ten minutes — but I think it’s totally worth it.

The red sauce is pretty much what most people expect from Korean fried chicken, so no matter which shop you go to, you’ll want to try it. It comes with chicken thighs, wings, and some chunkier pieces — just right to satisfy different preferences.

The portion is about right for two people (though I could probably finish it all by myself), and their fried chicken indicates spice levels. But even this non-spicy version has a slight tangy kick that whets the appetite, really capturing the sweet, sour, and spicy essence of Korean fried chicken. There’s also a faint hint of something like Korean pickled radish, with crispy skin, tender meat, and juicy sweetness — it’s addictive fried chicken that’s hard to stop eating.

【Korean Spicy Chicken Feet / Half Portion / 199 TWD】
I ordered this purely out of curiosity because the staff kept emphasizing it was the spiciest item on the menu, rated at four stars. I’ve recently gotten into eating chicken feet, so I gave it a try. Price-wise, it’s not cheap for the portion, but the chicken feet are quite large and meaty. At first bite, it doesn’t seem like much — the meat is generous — but within 10 seconds of chewing, the spiciness suddenly explodes. Your taste buds will feel like they’re going numb — it’s seriously intense. Definitely a challenge for spice lovers.

【Royal Court Black Sauce Fried Chicken / Half Portion / 279 TWD】
After trying Brother Park’s before, I learned that Korean fried chicken isn’t just about red sauce — there’s also special black sauce fried chicken. The flavor is somewhat like rich soy sauce, aromatic but not greasy, with a bit more sweetness, and this one has a stronger spice level.

Though the sweet umami flavor is quite prominent, it doesn’t come across as very spicy. The crust is crispy, like it’s coated in a batter, and the chicken is juicy and flavorful. Compared to the other two shops, Chicken & Beer’s fried chicken pieces are noticeably larger, and it’s just as delicious as the red sauce version.

【Chamisul Soju / 300 TWD / Bottle】 (Minors prohibited from drinking. Do not drink and drive.)
This is the stuff you always see in Korean dramas and movies — turns out it’s actually this expensive? But in those shows, whenever someone’s feeling down, they just chug it like water, haha XDDD. But wow, it’s so strong. Still, Korean fried chicken just begs to be paired with a bottle for a hearty cheers. Of course, there are also regular Korean beers and Taiwan Beer, which come in bigger bottles and are much more affordable — you can really drink to your heart’s content.

【Royal Court Chicken Gizzard / Half Portion / 259 TWD】
The staff explained what part of the chicken this is, but I forgot — it’s almost boneless, and I remember it’s from a rarer cut, so the pieces aren’t huge and the portion is small, but it’s tender and juicy, with a super crispy skin and a sweet-spicy sauce coating. It’s crispy without being greasy, and each bite releases juicy meat. With the fat melting in your mouth, the tender, sweet chicken mixed with sauce is absolutely delicious and bone-free. The slight hint of spices adds flavor, though compared to the basic red and black sauce fried chicken, the portion is a bit smaller, but the taste is even better.

Though I’m not a K-pop fan or crazy about Korean dramas, without realizing it, from summer to autumn I’ve tried quite a few Korean fried chicken shops. Today’s Chicken & Beer was actually pretty great. The chicken’s sauce flavors really shine, especially the spicy chicken feet, which left a deep impression. The texture of the fried chicken itself is really well done. As for price, I feel most places are similar, but 777 is genuinely more expensive. If I had to point out one downside of Chicken & Beer, it’d be the plating. They use big white plates, and though the fried chicken portion is decent, there aren’t many extra sides, so the chicken can look a bit lonely on the plate — a bit of a pity. Other than that, everything we ordered today was really enjoyable. Here’s a simple review for everyone’s reference Up~ According to the shop’s Facebook page, there’s a 5% discount if you check in when you visit, so you can save a little.

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◎ Shop Info: [Chicken & Beer Korean Fried Chicken Specialty Shop, Fengjia Night Market │ Xitun District]
◎ Address: No. 20-7, Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City
◎ Phone: 04-2452-7009
◎ Business Hours: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
◎ Parking Tip: Near Lane 86, Wenhua Road; you can park at Fuxing Parking Lot or on Fengda Road and walk over
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