Ballston just picked up a new player in the Korean fried-chicken game. South Korean chain BHC Chicken quietly opened its first D.C.-area outpost on Friday, taking over the storefront at 875 N. Randolph Street with a compact shop that seats about 32 people and leans on touchscreen kiosks and takeout for quick in-and-out orders. The spot spent the weekend in soft-opening mode, with only light promotion to get the word out.
According to ARLnow, early visitors had an extra reason to drop by. From Friday through Sunday, the first 100 guests each day scored three free chicken tenders, while the restaurant tested soft-open hours of noon to 6 p.m. before planning to extend its closing time to 9 p.m. on later dates. The outlet also notes that BHC has been growing its U.S. footprint and is hiring locally for the Ballston shop, which slots into the former Hangry Joe’s unit on the block.
Brand background
BHC bills itself on its U.S. website as the “No. 1 Korean Chicken Franchise” and promotes signature dishes like its Bburinkle chicken alongside other K-food sides. As listed on BHC Chicken USA, the brand already has several American locations and is actively looking for franchise partners as it works to build out its North American presence.
Menu and pricing
The Ballston menu sticks to the hits: six core flavors, including Matcho-King, Gold-King, Sweet & Spicy and the sweet-cheese Bburinkle, plus sides like tteokbokki, kimchi fried rice and fried cheese balls. Local merchant listings show a four-piece Bburinkle meal starting at around $15, along with a spread of sandwiches, combos and platters that line up with pricing at other BHC locations. For up-to-date costs and delivery options, check the shop’s digital menu on DoorDash.
Business records indicate that Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken opened in the same space in January 2023, and a short-lived K-pop themed concept followed earlier this year, according to local listings. As noted by ARLnow, the current BHC setup keeps seating to roughly 32 and relies on touchscreen ordering inside.
Where it sits in the neighborhood
BHC is stepping into a neighborhood that already knows its Korean fried chicken. It joins established spots like bb.q Chicken in nearby Virginia Square and Bonchon on N. Pershing Drive, both popular with fans of soy-garlic and spicy styles. For Ballston diners, that means yet another option for crispy, sauce-covered chicken within a few minutes' walk.
