Chimaek

The Boom Created by a Drama Line (The Drama Line That Changed Everything)

The scene where Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun) lies on the sofa on a snowy day and says, "I want to eat chicken and beer," triggered an explosive reaction among Chinese viewers. During the 2014 Lunar New Year, 'Chimaek' was mentioned millions of times on Chinese social media, and according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, chicken exports to China increased by 33% after the drama aired.

Why Korean-style chicken is special (Why K-Chicken Is Different)

Unlike Western fried chicken, which is coated in a thick flour batter, Korean chicken uses a double-frying method with a thin coating of potato starch and rice flour. The key is to cook the inside during the first fry and then remove moisture during the second high-temperature fry to create a thin, crispy, glass-like crust.

The Golden Formula for Chimaek (The Perfect Combo)

• Chicken: A half-and-half of Yangnyeom Chicken (sweet and spicy glaze) and Fried Chicken (double-fried) is the golden rule.
• Beer: A light lager (OB, Hite, Terra) refreshes the palate by cutting through the oiliness.
• Chicken-mu: Sweet and sour white radish pickles are an essential side dish to neutralize the greasiness.
• In Korea, the quintessential Chimaek culture is ordering delivery while watching baseball games or dramas.