Chimmelier

"Korean fried chicken sandwiches sharing space with Oh G Burger." - Dianne de Guzman

"Chimmelier, a Korean fried chicken purveyor from Los Angeles, is making its debut in the Bay Area with two pop-ups in Oakland on May 17 and 18. The pop-up will feature menu items such as the loaded K-chicken burger and honey butter wings. Chimmelier, known for its unique blend of Korean and Western fried chicken styles, has been a staple in LA, appearing at various festivals and markets. The founders, Kevin Son and Dong hyuk Lee, aim to share their cultural experiences through their food." - Dianne de Guzman

"The K-Chicken Burger at Chimmerlier in Koreatown looks straight out of a magazine: it’s big, its pickles are oddly symmetrical, and the sesame buns are so glossy you’d think a food stylist gave them a touch-up. But beyond being camera ready, this sandwich is a balanced masterpiece of flavor and texture. The dry rub on the thick, crackly chicken gives a BBQ-like smokiness, dashi aioli adds depth, and a briny slaw brightens everything up. Then there’s the secret ingredient: a single perilla leaf that hangs out beneath the chicken, adding a whiff of floral sweetness you didn’t know you needed. " - sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder, arden shore

"The Korean fried chicken at Chimmelier is served in a few different forms on the menu. There’s a whole or half bird available if feeding a group, while an order of wings or chicken tenders is always a good option. For a spicy kick try the buldak chicken sandwich, which translates to fire chicken. The Chimmelier fried chicken is also available at Jilli, a modern sool jib in Koreatown." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff

"Chimmerlier is a strip mall spot in Koreatown that serves Korean street foods like tteokboki and cheese balls until 11pm, but the specialty is its excellent Korean-style fried chicken. You can order the golden, thick-crusted poultry as a whole chicken or wings, but the best way to enjoy it is inside the K-Chicken Burger. This loaded sandwich looks straight out of a national fast food ad: it’s big, its pickles are oddly symmetrical, and the sesame buns are so glossy you’d think a food stylist gave them a quick touch-up before they left the kitchen. And besides being camera ready, these Korean-style chicken sandwiches are extremely balanced in flavor and texture. The dry rub dusted all over the crackly fried chicken gives it a BBQ-like smokiness, the hot sauce adds moisture and a sharp vinegary heat, and the briny slaw brightens up the thick-crusted poultry. And then there’s the secret ingredient: the perilla leaf that lingers in the background but adds an extra floral sweetness you didn’t know this beautiful sandwich needed." - Sylvio Martins