Krys P.
Yelp
Yay we finally have a Korean Fried Chicken place in Miami!! CM has another location up in Davie but glad not to have to drive past the county line for some delicious chicken!
Choong Man is a chain from Korea, which is known for their special technique of tikkudak -- finishing fried by baking in a charcoal oven for extra crisp and crunch and a nice smoky note. Which explains why, if you visit their website, you'll see a picture of fried chicken on a fire grill.
The shop is in the same strip mall as Bamboo Garden and a few other Asian shops on 163 St. It's mostly take out, with only a counter and 4 chairs for eating in. It was our first visit, and the staff was really nice in explaining the menu and helping us pack our leftover when we left.
You can order the chicken as whole or half, or as wings, tenders and drumsticks. My favorite part of a chicken is thigh, which curiously is missing here. There are also items like tteokbokki, calamari and shrimp, and bubble tea for drinks. If you come during weekday they have lunch specials as well.
Needless to say, you have to order fried chicken here. They have several flavors like garlic soy, curry, cheese, snow onion (a tangy white sauce w sliced onion).
For the fried chicken I would say it's among the best I've tasted in Miami. Piping hot inside, juicy and tender, with a crunchy but light breading. The shell is not too hard, and the meat is not dry. Really well done. The sauce adds a lot to the flavor too. Garlic soy, though not suggested in the name, actually has a bit of kick to it. What's KFC if not a bit fiery? The chicken comes with a small amount of Mu radish - pickled daikon that helps to tame the fire and cleanse your palate.