Korean Fried Chicken Juggernaut Bonchon Will Open in Uptown and Dinkytown

Two buildings that once housed Italian joints—the Uptown Davanni’s and Dinkytown’s Vescio’s which closed in February after 60 years of business—are to become the newest outposts of Bonchon, a Korean fried chicken restaurant.

Bonchon, a casual chain originating in South Korea, serves a variety of Korean items but notorious for chicken wings coated in a sticky soy glaze.

According to the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, the Uptown location is slated to open in July with the 3,200 square foot Dinkytown spot following soon after in the late summer. Visitors can expect extra crispy fried chicken—it’s the double-fried approach that gives the chicken its signature Korean style—alongside Korean staples like bibimbap.

Both Bonchon locations are being financed by Sam Zheng, a restauranteur who has a few buffets around the metro area including Royal Buffet in Richfield. The deal was facilitated by Marshall Nguyen of the Edina-based Caspian Group.

For those who have dreamt of munching on fried chicken from a chain restaurant while surrounded by inebriated Uptown residents or college students, perhaps dreams do come true.

• Bonchon [WEB]
• Bonchon Opens in Chicago With 30- to 60-Minute Waits for Korean Fried Chicken [EC]
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