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Don Chicken

4.7 (178 reviews)

Order Don Chicken Takeout or Delivery

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DON CHICKEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Don Chicken

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Fried wings with Don Sauce, #10
Karen N.

Great place for K-fried chicken! I was nearby in the shopping center, so my friend and I had lunch at Don Chicken. He hadn't had Korean food before, so split wings and tteok-bokki so he could try them. We ordered fried wings with Don sauce, and they were delicious! It was a great crunch, and lots of sauce. We killed them all off, and we also enjoyed the tteok-bokki. It came with a side of pickled daikon, and it was plenty of food for 2 people to split for lunch. They have quite a bit of seating to eat there, or they package it well if you're doing to go.I'll stop by when I'm in the area again, and take some home for dinner.

Shane W.

Soooo good! When looking for a chicken wing place, Yelp led me to Don Chicken, and it did not disappoint. We tried three different flavors, Don's special sauce, spicy honey, and garlic. All three were delicious. The garlic could have had a little more garlic but it was good. The portion size is big and the wings were full of meat!!! We will definitely be back for more!!!

Pickled Radish
Dan G.

If you are looking for Korean style wings this place has you covered. The chicken is prepared well and the flavors are good. The service is decent and the food is made on the spot. The pickled radish appetizer is quite tasty. The portions are pretty good for the price. However, the menu is quite limited. The ambiance is fair and most people get take out.

Korean fried chicken with Don Sauce.
Jen W.

We are visiting the area and the spot we normally hit is no longer open. Perusing Yelp, we came across a nifty hamburger spot, but when we arrived, found it was takeout only. Using the Yelp gurus ago, we saw Korean Chicken and made our way there! The spot was nestled inside a strip mall and the gentleman at the counter welcomed us warmly. I told her we had not been there before and he pointed to the menu above him and told us what was popular. My husband ordered fried legs, and I ordered fried legs. The man said these are full sized legs, so two orders would be A LOT. We settled on one order of Don Saice legs and my son got a sandwich. We added a basket of fed and picked radish. The wait was not too long and our fries and radishes came out first. The man told my teenage son that his sandwich came with fries, so "share these with mom." Our meals came and he was not lying. The 6 chicken legs were of a size that my grandma used to buy for fried chicken 30 years ago! They were steaming hot. The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy within. The chicken sandwich was a huge creation which my son loved. My husband had 3 legs, I had 2, and the teen had 1. The taste was great! Putting this in my Yelp reviews so the Yelpers of California support this business and so I remember what it was next time I'm in the area to be sure to return!

10. Fried Special Don Sauce Chicken
Why-Tie Z.

This place is legit. Great ratings are 100% valid. Here is why: I ordered 10. Fried chicken with special don sauce (wings) Chicken: The chicken was perfectly fried. Nice crunch, not too greasy, hot, juicy. Perfect - exactly how fried chicken should taste Sauce: The special don sauce was perfectly balanced in sweetness. Not too overwhelmingly sweet and heavy but perfectly balance with no spicy taste. Skip the soy garlic, that wasn't that good. Absolutely perfect. I would order the same dish again. Definitely worth the visit.

Oven baked and fried
Dani S.

What a hidden gem! Korean fried chicken! Came here for quick rub one night, and the food did not disappoint. Looks like this restaurant just opened recently and we wanted to try it out. The place is super clean and is a nice fast casual place. You can do takeout or sit down to eat. We ordered two different kind of chicken to share. The Don fried chicken wings was really good, very tender. The oven baked and then fried chicken with no batter was interesting, although I definitely prefer the regular fried chicken better. Very nice friendly service, very cute mom and pops restaurant. Definitely support your local small business!

Macaron Ice Cream
Brittany A.

If you're in the Encinitas area check this place out! Came here for the first time for lunch, the tteok-bokki is so good and spicy. The fish cakes and rice cakes are the perfect consistency. The Spicy Honey wings were cooked to perfection. The perfect amount of stickiness, crunch, and juicy meat. There was nothing left on our plates when we left. The macaroon ice creams for dessert were the perfect touch too. The restaurant was nice and clean, they even provide a little trash can at the tables for the chicken bones. The owner was super nice and accommodating, we definitely will be coming back here soon.

Fried soy sauce chicken
Hanaah F.

New place, so decided to stop by. It was good to see a new eatery with some Korean influence. We don't have any Kyochun chicken around here, so it's nice to know a similar place exists. I was standing outside and the owner came out and gave us a menu. It wasn't too busy, but it seems like they were receiving some online orders. They also deliver via Doordash (per the signage outside). The staff was very friendly and welcoming. You can tell it was still very new. The inside was very clean also. They had kpop playing on the TV, but it wasn't loud or obnoxious. If you aren't aware, this is pretty typical at a Korean eatery, so I don't find it obnoxious. Ordered the fried soy sauce chicken (half) and the oven baked buldak (chicken with melted cheese) without the spicy sauce. I know it tastes better with the spicy sauce, but wanted to avoid the reflux afterwards. The crinkle cut fries and pickled radish tasted great. The fried soy sauce chicken was nice and crispy! It was fresh and delicious! Did not disappoint. The oven baked buldak was a bit bland, but I think it's because I modified the order rather than kept it as is with the actual sauce. The chicken was very moist and tender though, so that was good. We had the don sauce on the side, which we dipped our oven baked chicken in anyway, so it was fine. The don sauce is pretty mjch the marinade they use to sauce up the spicy fried chicken, very common Korean sauce/marinade. Overall, I preferred the fried chicken over the oven baked due to the crisp and flavor. Hoping this eatery gets more attention soon. We need more local joints like this. Overall, good experience, and I will certainly be back when I'm craving Korean fried chicken!

11. Fried Soy Sauce Chicken  we got 2 different flavors so I hope I tag the right one.
Tara C.

Came here to try the Korean wings. These were amazing! Super crunchy and so much flavor! The food is made to order but worth the wait. It was surprisingly empty but I can hear the online bell ringing a lot. The owner was super friendly and very accommodating. I wish you could smell the pictures. Drool. We usually have to go to convoy but this secret spot by the old .99 store seems a bit hidden in the corner. So glad we found this place.

13. Oven Baked & Fried Special Don Sauce Chicken
Red N.

I thought I had already left them a 5 star review but here I go I guess. Don Chicken makes the best chicken in San Diego county hands down. The owner is the one who makes the chicken and he is a beast. Sometimes he is taking the orders and then making them by himself. I live in San Diego and every time I am up this direction I have to get their chicken. I am a foodie and have tried a bunch of other Korean chicken places looking for something as good down by me and none of them are even close. I usually order dons special sauce but spicy. It is amazing. Highly recommend the baked+fried. Worth the extra $1-2 to get it cooked this way. Can't go wrong at this place.

Oven Soy Sauce Chicken

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3 years ago

Excellent Food! Even better service! Some of the best Korean fried chicken I've had. Food comes out very hot and crispy.

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4 years ago

Great food and friendly service. Had the Don chicken and the garlic chicken. Welcome to Encinitas!

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2 years ago

This place is the light enci needed super good food and very very flavorful, also may I add very good service

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4 years ago

Everything was super fresh and great flavors, the spicy is spicy for real so be careful if you only a spice tourist

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4 years ago

Great food. Courteous owner. Wonderful service. Tasty chicken sandwich. Excellent wings!! Try it

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4 years ago

This spot is crazy good. The menu is broad and they just opened but hard working owner with great chicken. Been back a few times already.

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Don Chicken Reviews in Other Languages

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Don Chicken - chickenshop - Updated October 2026

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