K-fried chicken is arguably superior, and if you can’t get enough of Korean fried chicken, there’s another popular Korean fried chicken restaurant that just opened in town! Doran Chicken is a famous fried chicken specialty restaurant with 12 years of history in South Korea.
Doran Chicken is known for their Daegu-style fried chicken and what makes it special is their use of a wet batter (instead of the usual dry batter) that consists of a blend of bean and rice flour, giving a much lighter and crispier texture when fried. The chicken is also aged for at least 7 days in a traditional Korean onggi, or earthen pot, with a secret blend of 5 different Korean medicinal herbs. The various soy and spicy sauces used for the chicken are also aged in onggi pots to give a deeper flavour.
The fried chicken pieces are individually brushed with sauce so every piece gets an even coat. There are 4 different flavours you can get for the fried chicken: Original Fried, 1978 Soy Sauce, Dalcom Spicy or Sweet Volcano. The fried chicken batter is definitely the star of the show, and we love how crisp and light it is compared to other fried chicken. Doran’s fried chicken also stays crunchy even after being coated in all that sauce, and is much less greasy or heavy on the palate.
Doran Wings & Drummettes, from $23.80
If you can’t decide on just one flavour, you can opt for their half-half options to try 2 flavours at once. Go for the Original Fried flavour for maximum crispiness, or if you love spicy food, definitely go for the Sweet Volcano flavour that’s savoury and flavourful with a spicy kick.
Flat Dumplings with Sweet & Spicy Squid Salad, $17.80
Another unique item on the menu is the Flat Dumplings with Sweet & Spicy Squid Salad ($17.80): instead of chunky dumplings stuffed with meat, Doran’s dumplings are completely flat and filled with glass noodles and vegetables instead. The flat dumplings are more like thin wraps rather than actual dumplings, with a slightly chewy texture. You can use the flat dumplings to wrap the tangy and refreshing squid and cabbage salad it’s served with.
Sincheon Tteokbokki, $12.80
Tuna Rice Balls, $9.80
Garlic Cheese Sriracha Corn Fritters, $9.80
Other classic Korean street food items include the Sincheon Tteokbokki ($12.80), that’s in a more soupy style instead of the usual thick broth; and Tuna Rice Balls ($9.80). They’ve also got a range of fruit ades, beer and soju to go along with the food; so if you’re on the hunt for a chill hangout spot for good chicken and drinks, Doran Chicken’s a great place to be.
Taste: 8.5/10
Price: $$
Favourite dishe(s): Doran Wings & Drummettes, Flat Dumplings
Would we come back: Definitely, for more of their ultra-crispy fried chicken!
Doran Chicken
Address: orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Rd, #04-19, Singapore 238858
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm & 5pm-10.30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-10.30pm
