Susan N.
Yelp
Korean fried chicken spot new on the market in the OC! Got an email from Yelp since I search for fried chicken often and as I drilled down wee early in the morning, it made me want to try it more and more even though I have plenty of food at home to keep me fed. Well, I couldn't help myself and got it today!
Placed an online order as described on their Yelp at https://cmchickenonline.com. Current promotion right now, buy 1 order of chicken (Whole chicken, wings, tender, or drum stick) and get 2nd order for $1.00.
My Order
1 - Wing Garlic Soy Tikkudak($15.99)
1 - Wing Soy Garlic Spring Onion($1.00)
Each order comes with 10 wings (drums/wings mix)
Each order comes with 1 order of pickled radish
First time trying Tikkudak, I am not a fan. It is deep fried then cooked in a Tikku oven, some kind of charcoal oven. It has a charcoal smell to it and also somewhat like fire grilled squid scent as well. You can smell and taste the charcoal as you eat it. It is extra crunchy cooked this way. My other order was just regular Korean fried wings. I can tell the Tikku is extra crunchy. You can hear the crunch sound as you bite into it (after re-toasting of course). Though my order was freshly made, I still needed to toast it in the airfryer reheat it to crisp.
I am confused about the difference between "Garlic Soy" and "Soy Garlic"? Please explain. Why the difference in naming? Aren't they the same thing? They sure taste the same minus the Tikku having the charcoal touch to it. I feel cheated as I chose them thinking they would have different flavor but nope, taste the same sweet ish soy sauce flavor. Although, the Tikku one has a very slight kick to it.
So I would return only for the gizzards once they put that on the menu for ordering. I asked during pick up about these gizzards but they are working on it. I asked the question on their Yelp but no answer yet. The guy (who might be the owner/manager) asked if I was the one who asked the question, yes, that was me!! He said they are working on getting gizzards and hope to get it on the menu soon. Also, if they can tell me which flavor is the most savory, then I'll be open to try another chicken order. Korean fried chicken usually has some touch of sweetness to their flavors. I like savory...tell me which is the most savory, and I will be back!
Oh they advertised free soda $2.00 or less on them for online orders! I was not offered that free soda when I came to pick up and I had left before asking about it. I really could have used that soda to wash down the chicken!
This place looks like a chain in Korea. Noticed the name on the box the chicken came in.
CM Chicken = Choong Man Chicken.
Plenty of parking but the retail plaza they are in is really jammed packed so parking is a bit of a pain to find. They take cash and credit card payments. They wear masks for Covid-19 measures. The shop is small and designed for stop in pickups. That's all I remember.
I know everyone who has reviewed this place LOVES IT. I guess I haven't fallen for it just yet. Bring me those gizzards, then we'll talk!