KOREAN FOOD · FRIED CHICKEN
BBQ Chicken: Korea’s most-loved fried chicken, decoded
The three best-selling menus at BBQ — and how to order them like a local.
If you spend even one evening in Korea, you will see it everywhere: crispy, golden BBQ chicken on tables in every neighborhood, usually paired with a cold beer. BBQ (officially Genesis BBQ) is one of Korea’s biggest fried-chicken chains, and for many visitors it is the easiest, most reliable introduction to Korean fried chicken — thinner, crunchier and less greasy than the American kind.
This guide covers the three menus Koreans order most often at BBQ, what each one costs in 2026, how to order without speaking Korean, and the chimaek (chicken + beer) ritual that goes with it. Where it helps, we include the Korean name so you can point at a menu or read it on a delivery app.
In This Guide
- First, the name: “BBQ” is not barbecue
- The 3 best-selling BBQ menus
- How to order BBQ chicken as a foreigner
- Chimaek: chicken and beer, the Korean way
- FAQ
First, the name: “BBQ” is not barbecue
This trips up almost every first-timer. At this chain, “BBQ” does not mean grilled barbecue meat — it stands for “Best of the Best Quality,” and the restaurant serves fried chicken. So if a Korean friend says “let’s get BBQ tonight,” they usually mean fried chicken and beer, not Korean BBQ pork or beef. The brand’s signature is that it fries its chicken in olive oil, which it markets as a lighter, cleaner taste.
The 3 best-selling BBQ menus
These three have topped BBQ’s search and sales rankings for years. Prices below are the standard 2026 menu prices after BBQ raised prices by an average of about 6.3% in March 2026. Jeju and remote islands add roughly 1,000 won per item.
1. Golden Olive Chicken (황금올리브치킨) — about 23,000 won
The signature and the undisputed number one. It is plain fried chicken (no sauce) fried in olive oil for an extra-crispy, golden crust — BBQ’s longtime steady seller. If you only try one thing, make it this. Order it when you want to taste what the chain is actually famous for. Price: around 23,000 won (roughly US$17).
2. Jamaica Tongdari-gui (자메이카 통다리구이) — about 24,000 won
A roasted (not battered-and-fried) menu made only from chicken drumsticks, glazed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce. Along with Golden Olive, it is one of BBQ’s two flagship menus, and a good pick if you prefer juicy dark meat and a bit of heat over a dry, crunchy crust. Price: around 24,000 won (roughly US$18).
3. Golden Olive Seasoned Chicken (황금올리브 양념치킨) — the “hwang-ol-yangnyeom”
This is the Golden Olive bird coated in Korea’s classic sweet-spicy red yangnyeom sauce. It satisfies people who can’t decide between plain (fried) and saucy (seasoned), which is exactly why it stays popular. Tip: many Koreans order a “half-and-half” (반반, banban) — half plain, half seasoned — so you get both in one order.
For context, Korea’s big three chicken chains — Kyochon, BHC and BBQ — are close enough in popularity that the gap is small, and the menus above have stayed near the top of BBQ’s sales and search rankings for years.
How to order BBQ chicken as a foreigner
You have three easy options:
- Dine in or take out: Walk into any BBQ branch. Many have picture menus; pointing works fine. Say the menu name (“Golden Olive”) and a number.
- Delivery to your hotel: Apps like Baemin and Coupang Eats power most food delivery. Baemin offers an English-friendly experience, but you’ll usually need a Korean phone number and a local card. Easiest hack: ask your hotel front desk to order for you.
- Heads-up on fees: Delivery adds a fee (often a few thousand won) and a minimum order. A whole chicken is sized to share, so it’s great for two-plus people.
Sightsee hands-free, feast in the evening
Don’t drag your suitcase around Seoul before a chimaek night. We deliver your luggage between hotels, or from the airport to your door, so you arrive light and ready to eat.
Chimaek: chicken and beer, the Korean way
Koreans rarely eat fried chicken alone. The classic pairing is chimaek (치맥) — a mash-up of chicken and maekju (맥주, beer). A whole BBQ chicken plus a couple of cold beers, shared with friends after a long day of walking, is one of the most quintessentially Korean evenings you can have. It is casual, affordable per person when split, and works just as well delivered to a riverside park (Han River picnics are a local favorite) as it does in a restaurant.
FAQ
Is BBQ chicken spicy?
Not by default. Golden Olive (plain fried) is not spicy at all. The seasoned (yangnyeom) version is sweet with mild heat, and Jamaica Tongdari is sweet-and-spicy but still approachable. If you want real heat, ask for a spicy menu specifically.
How much does a whole BBQ chicken cost?
Most signature whole-chicken menus run about 20,000–25,000 won in 2026 (roughly US$15–19). Golden Olive is around 23,000 won and Jamaica Tongdari around 24,000 won, before any delivery fee. Jeju and island areas add about 1,000 won per item.
Is it enough food for one person?
A whole chicken is generous and designed to share, ideally between two to four people. Solo? Look for a half order or a boneless “sungsal” (순살, deboned) option where available.
Can I order BBQ delivery without a Korean phone number?
It can be tricky — most delivery apps expect a Korean number and card. The simplest workaround is to ask your hotel staff to place the order, or just dine in at a branch. Always confirm current prices and options in the restaurant or app before you order, as menus change.
Hungry for more Korean food?
BBQ chicken is the perfect first bite, but Korea has so much more. Plan your eating with our Seoul food guide for 2026, or if you’re island-bound, see how to eat brilliantly in Jeju for around 10,000 won. And whenever you’re ready to explore Seoul without your bags, let us carry the luggage so your hands are free for chicken and beer. For official brand and menu details, see the BBQ official site.
