Julia's Korean-Fried Chicken

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

A savory and sweet gochujang-based sauce coats these Korean-fried chicken wings for an appetizer or main dish that's an instant hit!

Ingredients

3 cups canola oil for frying
3 3/4 pounds chicken drumsticks
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, or more to taste
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup potato starch, or as needed
1/2 cup gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
1/4 cup oyster sauce
3 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 teaspoons grated garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons black sesame seeds

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Set a rack on a foil-lined baking sheet.
2 Pour oil into a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the skillet. Heat over medium-high heat until oil reaches 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), about 10 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, toss chicken, ginger, and salt together in a large bowl until evenly coated. Spread 1/2 cup potato starch in a shallow dish; dredge chicken to coat completely and evenly. Add remaining 1/2 cup potato starch as needed. Shake off excess and transfer to a plate.
4 Add chicken to the skillet carefully, working in batches; fry until lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn chicken over and fry until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 175 degrees F (80 degrees C), 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to the rack on the prepared baking sheet. Reheat oil between batches to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
5 Return chicken to the skillet in batches and fry again, about 2 minutes per side.
6 Stir gochujang, oyster sauce, mirin, ketchup, fish sauce, and garlic together in a large bowl. Add cooked chicken and toss to coat. Sprinkle with white and black sesame seeds.