Extreme Job Yangnyeom Chicken (Sweet-Spicy Glazed)
Why this food?
Yangnyeom chicken is Korea's ultimate comfort food—crispy fried chicken coated in a sticky, sweet-spicy glaze that's dangerously addictive. This recipe became a cultural phenomenon after Extreme Job showed how one perfect batch could literally change lives. It's the dish that proves Korean food hits different when it's made with passion (and a little cop chaos).
🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip
Yangnyeom chicken exploded in popularity during the 2000s and became a staple Korean late-night snack paired with beer or soda. The sweet-spicy combination mirrors Korea's flavor philosophy of balancing gochujang heat with sugar and garlic. Extreme Job's 2019 box office success ($155M) sparked real-world yangnyeom chicken restaurant booms across South Korea—proving art imitates life imitates delicious chicken.
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Substitute Ingredients
All available at Walmart
| Original | Substitute |
|---|---|
Chicken wings or drumsticks 닭 날개/다리 | Chicken Wings Family Pack or Drumsticks Great Value or Perdue Pat completely dry before frying—moisture prevents crispiness Shop at Walmart |
Cornstarch 옥수수 전분 | Cornstarch (Argo or Great Value) Argo or Great Value Creates that signature crispy exterior—don't skip this step Shop at Walmart |
Yangnyeom glaze (soy sauce, honey, gochugaru) 양념 (간장, 꿀, 고추가루) | Soy Sauce (Kikkoman), Honey (Sue Bee), and Hot Chili Powder (McCormick or Frank's RedHot) Kikkoman, Sue Bee, McCormick Can't find gochugaru? Mix 1 tbsp Frank's RedHot with 1 tbsp paprika for authentic heat-sweetness Shop at Walmart |
🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store
Your Shopping List
Walmart edition
- 2 lbs Chicken Wings Family Pack or Drumsticks
- ½ cup Cornstarch (Argo or Great Value)
- ⅓ cup soy sauce + ¼ cup honey + 2 tbsp chili powder + 4 minced garlic cloves + 2 tbsp ketchup Soy Sauce (Kikkoman), Honey (Sue Bee), and Hot Chili Powder (McCormick or Frank's RedHot)
Instructions
- 1
Step 1: Pat 2 lbs chicken wings/drumsticks dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, then coat evenly in cornstarch.
- 2
Step 2: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy, working in batches. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- 3
Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, and gochugaru over medium heat. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until glossy and combined.
- 4
Step 4: Add fried chicken back to the pan with the glaze, tossing constantly for 1-2 minutes until every piece is evenly coated and the glaze caramelizes slightly.
- 5
Step 5: Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve immediately while hot and sticky—this is peak yangnyeom chicken.
