24 Chicken - Origin Story of the Irresistible Korean Fried Chicken!
I initially wrote this article back in 2017, and 24 Chicken was still starting out back then. Not that it actually matters, but I'm proud to share that I was able to predict its success. Fast forward to the present, 24 Chicken is almost everywhere! They also have more flavors to offer, better & cuter logo, and nicer overall branding.
Hence, allow this post to be throwback, and bring you to when it all started.
Encountering 24 Chicken for the first time
It was 2017, and back then it was just a few years from my college graduation. At that time, there were already major developments in the food scene, a stark difference from our time when we only have limited options to choose from. The only reason I still got some updates post-college was that my younger brother also studies in the same universities. I was too busy making a career for myself, so I didn't get much chance to try these new restaurants, one of them was 24 Chicken.
Thankfully, since a batchmate in college was apparently a co-owner, I got the opportunity to try 24 Chicken via delivery, and I was definitely bud-blown.
A humble beginning
24 Chicken started with a small stall along Leon Guinto, which is a street just behind Taft Avenue. Back then, they were just catering to those who would want to eat on-the-go (via take-out) or eat-at-home (via take-out or delivery). Interestingly though, you can also eat-at-the-office (via delivery) just like what I did.
The original 24 Chicken circa 2017, back when it was just a small stall
A humble beginning
24 Chicken started with a small stall along Leon Guinto, which is a street just behind Taft Avenue. Back then, they were just catering to those who would want to eat on-the-go (via take-out) or eat-at-home (via take-out or delivery). Interestingly though, you can also eat-at-the-office (via delivery) just like what I did.
I didn't realize until I revisited this article that 24 Chicken had a different logo back then. I always thought they had what they use today ever since, but I guess that's how our memory works, deluding us.
Predicting 24 Chicken's success
24 Chicken sent me Half Half Chicken right at the lobby of the office I was working in that time, and the first flavor I was able to try was the Spring Onion (now called Lemon Chicken). On the first bite, my buds felt a intense yet playful jolt! I loved how it got this lemony sourness mixed with delightful sweetness. It was truly amazing.
I told myself that I won't eat rice, since I was trying to manage my weight, but I couldn't resist. And even up to now, 24 Chicken still goes perfectly well with rice.
The next one up was the Yangnyeom flavor (an OG, and will forever be my OG favorite) which had this bold spicy savory taste. Each bite gave a burst of spicy-sweet goodness that was enough to force me to finish the whole cup of rice. The taste is likened to a kimchi but sweeter and with a rather more defined taste and spiciness. Surely a delectable treat!
When I shared the chicken with my office mates, they started raving about it. It was really that good!
24 Chicken has become a nationwide phenomenon, and I'm happy to witness how they've grown. Nowadays, you'll be seeing them in billboards, and almost every major streets/areas. It's now a household name. Whenever there are celebrations at the office, there will be 24 Chicken, and it's funny looking back at how it started for me -- at the office as well.
Predicting 24 Chicken's success
Anyway, with the immense flavors and quality of the chicken, I'm sure that in no time, the stall with eventually grow into a full-fledged restaurant.This quote right here is what I wrote in the original article in 2017. It was so good, that I knew that it will become a major thing, and it did a few years after. When I happened to share with my brother that 24 Chicken is letting me try their dish, he told me that it's really good and people are raving about how delicious it is. That really got me extra excited!
24 Chicken's old and original menu (circa 2017)
7 Flavors of Korean Fried Chicken
There were originally 7 flavors to choose from (refer to the image above), and right now there are more than 7 flavors to choose from, including the new favorites such as the Snow Cheese.
24 Chicken sent me Half Half Chicken right at the lobby of the office I was working in that time, and the first flavor I was able to try was the Spring Onion (now called Lemon Chicken). On the first bite, my buds felt a intense yet playful jolt! I loved how it got this lemony sourness mixed with delightful sweetness. It was truly amazing.
I told myself that I won't eat rice, since I was trying to manage my weight, but I couldn't resist. And even up to now, 24 Chicken still goes perfectly well with rice.
The next one up was the Yangnyeom flavor (an OG, and will forever be my OG favorite) which had this bold spicy savory taste. Each bite gave a burst of spicy-sweet goodness that was enough to force me to finish the whole cup of rice. The taste is likened to a kimchi but sweeter and with a rather more defined taste and spiciness. Surely a delectable treat!
When I shared the chicken with my office mates, they started raving about it. It was really that good!
This is an old online poster of 24 Chicken, so do not attempt to call this number as it may no longer be updated. It's just here for appreciation
24 Chicken has become a nationwide phenomenon, and I'm happy to witness how they've grown. Nowadays, you'll be seeing them in billboards, and almost every major streets/areas. It's now a household name. Whenever there are celebrations at the office, there will be 24 Chicken, and it's funny looking back at how it started for me -- at the office as well.
