The fried chicken scene in Honolulu is heating up with bb.q Chicken recently opening its third location in Waikiki. The Korean fried chicken specialist has set up shop in Waikiki Shopping Plaza, joining a competitive landscape of establishments vying for the perfect balance of crispiness and flavor across the islands.
According to bb.q Chicken Hawaii, the restaurant redefines Korean fried chicken by setting "an unparalleled standard for quality and taste." What sets Korean fried chicken apart from traditional American-style preparations is the technique. bb.q Chicken Hawaii notes that their Korean fried chicken is prepared using extra virgin olive oil and a double-frying technique, resulting in a crispy outer layer while maintaining moist and tender meat inside.
The Aloha State Daily reports that this store is located in Waikiki Shopping Plaza with its entrance off of Royal Hawaiian Avenue. While there is limited seating both inside and outside the store, this location is convenient for takeout, aligning well with the busy Waikiki tourist corridor.
The Art of Korean Fried Chicken
The name "bb.q" stands for "best of the best quality," as detailed by Aloha State Daily, when it comes to chicken that boasts a crispy exterior and lots of flavor. bb.q Chicken explains that they fry all their Korean fried chicken using traditional methods: hand brushed, hand battered, and fried at lower temperatures for longer periods of time, creating an unforgettably crispy texture.
All dishes are freshly made to order and normally take about 20-30 minutes to prepare. The menu features a variety of signature sauces including classic golden fried, honey garlic, soy garlic and other varieties, with the chicken coated in these flavorful options.
A Growing Market
This Waikiki location's menu is mostly the same as those at the other two stores in Kahala and Aiea, as mentioned by Aloha State Daily. Customers can choose from chicken wings or boneless chicken, chicken sandwiches, tteokbokki (popular Korean street food dish) and sides ranging from kimchi and honey garlic fries to fried dumplings and mac salad.
The expansion of Korean fried chicken chains reflects broader trends in Honolulu's dining scene, where international flavors continue to find receptive audiences alongside established local favorites. bb.q Chicken Hawaii emphasizes that this makes them "a go-to Korean fried chicken restaurant in Hawaii," reflecting the growing demand for this specialized cuisine in the local market.
The success of bb.q Chicken's expansion suggests that Honolulu's appetite for expertly prepared fried chicken continues to grow. As competition intensifies with establishments offering everything from traditional local preparations to international techniques like Korean double-frying, diners across the islands benefit from an increasingly diverse array of options for satisfying their crispy chicken cravings.
