Want to revolutionize your cultural palette with a taste of something new without leaving the comfortable confines of your neck of the woods?
Then look no further.
Bonchon of Centereach—the hottest new Korean Fried Chicken joint on the block—was swarmed during its grand opening on Wednesday, March 26th.
Owner Russell Golam was reportedly inspired to open the restaurant by his son and managing partner Eitan’s military service in South Korea.
The father-son Golam duo greeted customers and handed out menus themselves on day one—keeping the business in the family while making patrons feel equally right at home.
This marks Long Island’s first-ever Bonchon location. The chain with its roots in Busan, South Korea is quite popular nationwide, having first taken its talents westward with a Fort Lee, New Jersey restaurant in 2006.
Now, there are 150 Bonchons in the United States alone.
The Centereach spot sits at 141 Centereach Mall in the Walmart shopping center. Their hours are as follows: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday's and Saturday's.
Another Bonchon is reportedly heading Nassau’s way as soon as the summer at the Samanea Mall in Westbury.
Bonchon’s menu flaunts four signature sauces: soy garlic, Korean BBQ, spicy, and yangnyeom. They are known for serving 8 wings and 4 drumsticks together for the price of $24.98; customers can order theirs with any one of the four sauces, or elect for a creative mixture instead.
What separates Bonchon from the bunch: their next-level “crunch.” In terms of thick batter, there is nobody better.
In addition to chicken, Bonchon also carries Korean hallmarks like bibimbap, bulgogi beef, tteokbokki rice cakes, and Korean corn dogs.
The late, great travel chef Anthony Bourdain was a known fan and recommender of Bonchon delights.
“I'm really happy to see the explosion of interest in Korean food, and this hybrid Korean-American food,” Michelin-grade chef Anthony Bourdain said in 2016. The late great culinary artist was a known fan and recommender of Bonchon delights.
And you can be too soon enough.