Recipe Chimaek

Chimaek is a popular Korean dish that consists of crispy fried chicken served with beer. The name "Chimaek" is derived from the combination of two Korean words, "chi" meaning chicken (chikin) and "maek" meaning beer (maekju). This dish is especially popular in South Korea, often enjoyed as a late-night snack or a casual meal with friends. The combination of savory fried chicken and refreshing beer makes Chimaek the perfect choice for a relaxing time.

Ingredients Needed

For Fried Chicken:

• 1 kg chicken (thighs, wings, or breast, as preferred)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil for frying

For Chicken Sauce:

• 1/2 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/4 cup water

For Serving:

• 4-6 bottles of cold beer, as preferred
• Shredded cabbage, for garnish
• Hot sauce or ketchup, as preferred

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

1. Rinse the chicken pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then coat evenly with the flour mixture.
4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 2: Making the Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, combine the gochujang, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, chopped garlic, grated ginger, and water.
2. Heat the sauce mixture over low heat, stirring continuously until it boils and thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Combining the Chicken and Sauce

1. Place the fried chicken in a large bowl.
2. Pour the sauce over the chicken, tossing to coat each piece evenly.

Serving

1. Serve the fried chicken with cold beer.
2. Add shredded cabbage on the side as a garnish.
3. Serve with hot sauce or ketchup if desired.

Tips

• For extra crispy chicken, fry the chicken twice. Fry once until half-cooked, remove and drain. Fry again until golden and crispy.
• Use cold beer for the best experience. Keep the beer in the refrigerator before serving.
• Add lemon slices on top of the fried chicken for a fresh taste.

Variations

• Spicy Chimaek: Add more gochujang or chili powder to the sauce for a spicier flavor.
• Sweet Chimaek: Add more honey for a sweeter, more delicious taste.
• Garlic Chimaek: Add more chopped garlic and ginger to the sauce for a stronger aroma.

Calories

• Fried chicken (per 100 grams): approximately 246 calories
• Sauce (per 2 tablespoons): approximately 60 calories
• Beer (per 330 ml bottle): approximately 153 calories

Conclusion

Chimaek is the perfect combination of crispy fried chicken and cold beer, a favorite in Korea. With this recipe, you can make Chimaek at home and enjoy its delicious taste with friends or family. Experiment with different variations to suit your preferences, and remember to serve with cold beer for the complete Chimaek experience. Enjoy!