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Boongs Korean Fried Chicken
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Boongs Korean Fried Chicken
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
A casual Korean fried chicken and ramen shop bringing late-night energy and crunchy double-fried wings to the east side. Boongs leans into playful flavors, a self-serve ramen machine, and counter service that keeps it approachable for quick meals or casual hangs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken, Soy garlic wings, DIY ramen bowl from the noodle machine
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 6.8
What makes it special: Crispy Korean fried chicken and fun ramen gadgets at wallet-friendly prices.
Who should go: Chicken lovers wanting casual, affordable Korean comfort food.
When to visit: Evenings and weekends for fresh batches and more buzz.
What to order: Half-and-half chicken, soy garlic wings, build-your-own ramen.
Insider tip: Mix two chicken flavors on one order and add pickled radish to cut the richness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots on 2nd Ave and side streets can be tight after 6pm. Best luck on E 70s side streets.
Dress code: Very casual. Hoodies, jeans, and post-gym outfits fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively during peak hours; easy for casual conversation but not ideal for deep talks.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on chicken batch turnover; usually manageable since it's counter service.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk right up and order.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—ramen without toppings and sides like pickled radish; most mains are chicken-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited—broths and sauces often contain animal products.
Gluten-free options: Minimal—fried chicken uses wheat flour; only possible options are basic sides, so not recommended for strict gluten-free diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're going for casual and fun. The food is great, but it’s counter service, informal seating, and finger-eating fried chicken—better for low-pressure hangs than romantic first impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. It’s fully walk-in and counter service. At peak times you may wait a few minutes for a table to clear, but turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. The casual setup, quick service, and mild flavor options work well for families. Not many high-chair setups or stroller space, but older kids and tweens will love the ramen machine and wings.
Best For
Better for: Crunchy double-fried chicken at a budget price, fast service, playful flavors, and a DIY ramen machine experience that competitors rarely offer.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal with full service, broad dietary accommodations, or a quieter setting—try a more polished Korean restaurant instead.
Boongs Korean Fried Chicken
8.4
Boong's specializes in Korean-style double-fried wings with sauces like soy garlic and sweet & spicy, plus rice dishes and ddeokbokki. The compact, pop-art space near Sutton Place works well for casual dinners or delivery when you want crisp, saucy wings that travel well.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soy Garlic Korean Fried Chicken Wings, Sweet & Spicy Korean Fried Chicken Wings, Kimchi Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Crispy Korean double-fried wings with focused, punchy house sauces.
Who should go: Korean fried chicken fans around Midtown East.
When to visit: Dinner hours when fresh batches of wings are frying.
What to order: Soy garlic wings, sweet & spicy wings, kimchi fries.
Insider tip: Split a large order of wings with ddeokbokki to sample more sauces.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Sutton Place, especially after 6pm; rely on nearby paid garages within a 2–3 block walk.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; come as you are—most diners are in everyday Midtown attire.
Noise level: Moderate; you can comfortably hold a conversation, though peak dinner hours get lively.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for small groups; takeout pickup is typically immediate.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, especially for takeout.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—options like fries, rice dishes, and ddeokbokki are available.
Vegan options: Very limited—most sauces and sides include dairy or fish components.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal—fried items use wheat-based batter with no dedicated gluten-free frier.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves messy, flavor-forward comfort food. It’s casual, quick, and fun—but not a formal or lingering-date environment.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. It’s counter-service and fast-turnover, so walk-ins rarely have issues grabbing a seat.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy crispy wings and mild sauces. Space is tight, and there are no high chairs or stroller-friendly areas.
Best For
Better for: Crispy, double-fried Korean wings that hold their crunch even during delivery, plus quick solo meals.
Skip if: You want a sit-down, spacious dining room, large-group comfort, or gluten-free fried chicken.