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Cheekina Outlet Gwangju Geumho: A Flavorful Feast with Rib Fry & Sous Vide Chicken

Hello, fellow food adventurers! Remember our last visit to Cheekina Outlet, known for its “most beautiful chicken” in Korea? I had the pleasure of trying their signature Yumi Chicken (Six-Flavor Chicken), and it was a delightful experience. Recently, I received an exciting invitation from Cheekina Outlet themselves! They reached out, eager for me to discover some truly exceptional dishes beyond the Yumi Chicken, including a brand-new menu item. So, I packed my bags and headed to the newly opened Cheekina Outlet Geumhojeom in Gwangju Metropolitan City to indulge in what promised to be another unforgettable culinary journey.

Cheekina Outlet boasts five branches across the country: Gongju, Daejeon, Busan (Daeyeon-dong), and two in Gwangju—Heukseok-jeom and Geumho-jeom. While some branches like Gwangju Heukseok-jeom and Busan Daeyeon-dong focus on take-out, the Gwangju Geumho-jeom (which opened on the 16th!) offers a fantastic dine-in experience, as evidenced by its beautiful plating.

Revisiting the Classics: The Legendary Yumi Chicken

Even though I was there for the new items, a taste of their renowned Yumi Chicken was a must. Priced at 24,000 KRW, this boneless chicken offering is quite generous, easily double the quantity of typical fried chicken. Unlike the box packaging at some stores, the Geumhojeom presents it beautifully on a large platter, making for a truly impressive visual.

The Yumi Chicken offers a symphony of flavors, each distinct and delicious:

• Classic Fried: Crispy and savory, a perfect benchmark.
• Sweet & Spicy Yangnyeom: A delightful balance of tang and sweetness.
• Green Onion with White Sauce: Still a favorite! The chicken is perfectly crunchy, the onions add a refreshing bite, and the creamy, sweet white sauce ties it all together.
• Soy Sauce with Cheongyang Chili: For those who love a kick, this one hits the spot. The Cheongyang chili peppers and the spicy soy sauce create a wonderfully addictive heat.
• Yangnyeom with White Sauce: A creative blend that surprisingly works, offering a creamy, spicy-sweet profile.
• Jalapeño Flavor: Each sauce here truly has its own unique character, keeping every bite exciting.

The chicken itself is tender, succulent thigh meat, providing a fantastic texture. And as a bonus, fries are served complimentary with your chicken order!

Unveiling the New Stars: Sous Vide & Galbi Fried Chicken

The Tender Revelation: Sous Vide Whole Chicken

For those dining solo, Cheekina Outlet introduces a special treat: the Sous Vide Whole Chicken, priced at a very reasonable 12,000 KRW. Sous vide cooking is known for its ability to create incredibly tender results, and this chicken is no exception. It’s remarkably soft, yet maintains a satisfying chewiness—not falling apart like a traditional Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). The skin is wonderfully crispy, providing a delightful contrast to the unbelievably soft breast meat inside. They even infuse it with subtle herbs and salt during the sous vide process, eliminating any hint of gamey flavor and elevating it to a truly sophisticated dish.

A Game Changer: Galbi Fried Chicken (Rib Fry)

Prepare for a revelation: Galbi Fried Chicken. Yes, you read that right – ribs at a chicken joint! Made with high-quality domestic ribs, this dish offers a hefty portion, weighing approximately 750g. It’s an incredible value, essentially getting ribs at the price of chicken!

The taste is absolutely captivating:

Sweet, savory, and with a delightful spicy kick at the end. There’s also a hint of smoky flavor, which the owner later revealed comes from a special grilling process, reminiscent of charcoal-grilled galbi. It’s a perfect fusion of galbi and a savory fried chicken experience. The flavors are reminiscent of the popular “Wang Galbi Tongdak” (King Rib Whole Chicken), but here, you’re getting authentic, succulent ribs. It comes with a mix of bone-in and boneless cuts, offering a variety of textures.

This Galbi Fried Chicken is incredibly versatile. It’s an ideal partner for a cold beer, a fantastic side dish for rice, or even the star of your meal. The sauce is so delicious, I highly recommend mixing it with rice for an unforgettable experience. This generous portion is easily enough to satisfy two people, especially when paired with rice.

My Honest Verdict & Recommendations

Cheekina Outlet truly lives up to its owner’s philosophy of excelling in both quantity and taste. Every dish I tried at the Gwangju Geumho-jeom was exceptional. The Yumi Chicken remains a solid choice with its diverse flavors and generous portions. The Sous Vide Whole Chicken is a revelation for its tenderness and sophisticated flavor profile, perfect for a satisfying solo meal.

However, the absolute standout for me was the Galbi Fried Chicken. Its unique blend of sweet, savory, and spicy notes, coupled with that irresistible smoky char, makes it an absolute must-try. This dish is truly special, delivering familiar yet exciting flavors that will leave you craving more. It’s rare to find such high-quality ribs prepared with such expertise at a chicken restaurant.

The newly opened Cheekina Outlet Geumhojeom, located in Gwangju Metropolitan City, has set a high bar. While a general rating isn’t available yet due to its recent opening (on the 16th!), my personal rating is enthusiastically high. Do yourself a favor and visit this fantastic establishment for a truly unique Korean fried chicken and galbi experience!