🍗 The Republic of Chicken: How Chi-Maek Became Korea's Soul Food?
- kfoodlab
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Chi-Maek (Chicken and Beer): A Deep Dive into the Korean Fried Chicken Phenomenon
The global spotlight recently shone on the phenomenon of Chi-Maek (Korean Fried Chicken & Beer) when NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang met with Samsung's Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun at Kkanbu Chicken in Seoul. The image of some of the world's most influential CEOs enjoying Somaek (a mix of soju and beer) with Korean fried chicken, instantly transforming them into "Chi-Maek Buddies," captivated the world and elevated Chi-Maek to the top of must-try Korean foods globally.
The statistics are staggering: According to the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), there were 699 Korean fried chicken brands and 39,789 chicken restaurants nationwide as of 2023. This number rivals the global footprint of McDonald’s, which has 42,477 stores worldwide as of 2024.
💔 From National Crisis to Culinary Staple: The Economic Roots of Chi-Maek
Unlike fast food like KFC or Buffalo wings, Korean fried chicken is much more than a meal—it is a Soul Food deeply intertwined with the joys and sorrows of the Korean people.
The proliferation of Korean chicken brands and restaurants has a decisive, albeit tragic, root: The IMF Financial Crisis.
The Surge: When heads of households were laid off or pushed into early retirement during the crisis, many chose chicken restaurant ownership as their last means of livelihood due to its relatively low barrier to entry. This triggered a massive "chicken restaurant start-up boom."
Supply Explosion: Franchise companies rapidly absorbed these new entrepreneurs as "franchisees," leading to an exponential surge in the supply of chicken across the country.
The Delivery Culture: This saturation made delivery a necessity. Whether it was raining or snowing, orders had to be fulfilled. Chi-Maek thus became the most convenient meal to enjoy at home, solidifying its place as a staple of Korean home culture.
The simple pleasure of today's Chi-Maek is built upon the painful economic reality of the IMF era.
⚽ A Cultural Icon: The 2002 World Cup Catalyst
The transformation of Chi-Maek into a common noun occurred around the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Explosive Growth: The number of chicken shops, which stood at around 10,000, surged by 71% to over 25,000 by 2002.
Lexicon Entry: From this point on, 'Chi-Maek' became a common noun. It is now an inseparable cultural phenomenon—the quintessential pairing for watching sports. Its eventual inclusion in the Korean dictionary seems only a matter of time.
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