A popular fried chicken franchise from South Korea is celebrating the grand opening of its first D.C.-area location in Ballston today (Friday).
BHC Chicken, which describes itself as the “No. 1 Korean Chicken Franchise,” plans to offer three free chicken tenders to its first 100 guests from today through Sunday at 875 N. Randolph Street, in the former Hangry Joe’s spot.
The chain’s menu offers a total of six flavors, including “Matcho-King” with aged soy sauce, “Gold-King” with honey and garlic, “Sweet & Spicy” and the chain’s signature Bburinkle chicken, flavored with Korean sweet cheese seasoning and available in a four-piece meal starting at $15.
While mostly focusing on Korean fried chicken and sandwiches, BHC also offers some fast-casual Korean cuisine, with options like tteokbokki, kimchi fried rice and fried mozzarella balls. Those will be available to order at touchscreens in the new space, which has seating for about 32 guests.
BHC’s retail bay was previously home to both another chicken spot and, for a short time, another Korean restaurant.
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken opened in the space in January 2023, serving up spicy fried chicken in the form of sandwiches, tenders and nuggets. At the start of this year, K-Food Casual — a K-Pop themed Korean restaurant serving up kimbap, bibimbap and rice bowls and featuring decor inspired by the movie “KPop Demon Hunters” — briefly took over the space, but it soon shuttered for renovations to become BHC Chicken.
The fried chicken franchise is hiring in Arlington as BHC continues expanding in the United States. The franchise has more than 2,300 locations across the globe, and at least seven U.S. locations.
According to the franchise’s website, the brand is “looking for international partners to become a world global company beyond the No.1 chicken brand in Korea.”
Elsewhere, Arlington is home to a couple other spots for Korean fried chicken, including nearby bb.q Chicken in Virginia Square and Bonchon on N. Pershing Drive.
BHC’s hours this weekend are noon to 6 p.m. After that, the shop plans to remain open until 9 p.m.
Photo 4-5 via BHC Chicken Thailand/Facebook
