If you’ve ever driven down Broad Avenue in Ridgefield or navigated the tight parking lots of Fort Lee, you know the struggle. New Jersey—specifically Bergen County—is basically the undisputed capital of Korean food on the East Coast. But when it comes to the crispy, sauce-drenched world of wings and drums, Yam Yam Chicken NJ occupies a very specific, almost nostalgic niche in the local food scene.
It isn't a mega-chain. It isn't trying to be the next Shake Shack of poultry.
Honestly, it’s just consistently good. While big names like Bonchon have gone corporate and sometimes lost that "soul" in the process, Yam Yam has largely stuck to a formula that prioritizes the crunch over the branding. People go there because they want chicken that stays crispy even after a twenty-minute drive home in a steamy cardboard box. That is the gold standard.
What Actually Sets Yam Yam Chicken NJ Apart?
Most people think "Korean Fried Chicken" and just think "spicy." That's a mistake. The magic of the Yam Yam Chicken NJ experience is the double-fry technique. If you talk to any serious fry cook, they’ll tell you the first fry cooks the meat through, but the second fry—at a higher temperature—is what renders out the fat and creates that paper-thin, crackling crust.
It's loud. Like, "crunch-audible-from-across-the-room" loud.
Unlike American-style Southern fried chicken which relies on a thick, seasoned flour batter (think Popeyes), Yam Yam uses a thin potato or cornstarch-based coating. This creates a crust that acts more like a glass shell. When the sauce hits it, the shell doesn't turn into mush. It glazes.
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The Sauce Spectrum: More Than Just Heat
You have choices. Most newcomers gravitate toward the Soy Garlic because it’s the safe bet. It’s salty, sweet, and has that deep umami hit that makes your tongue tingle. But the "Hot & Spicy" is where the real nuance is. It’s not just capsaicin for the sake of pain; there's a fermented funk from the gochujang that gives it a rounded flavor.
Then there’s the "Snowing" chicken.
It sounds weird if you haven't had it. Basically, it’s a savory, slightly sweet cheese powder dusted over the hot chicken. It’s a huge trend in Seoul that found a home here in New Jersey. Some people find it polarizing. I think it’s the perfect counterpoint to a cold beer or a radish cube.
The Locations: Where to Get Your Fix
Currently, if you're looking for the official Yam Yam experience, you’re likely heading to Ridgefield or Cherry Hill. The Ridgefield spot (on Broad Ave) is the heart of the operation. It’s tucked into a strip mall—as all the best Jersey food is—and it’s usually buzzing with takeout orders.
Don't expect white tablecloths. This is functional dining.
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- Ridgefield: 725 Broad Ave. This is the flagship. It’s small, busy, and smells like heaven and sesame oil.
- Cherry Hill: 404 Marlton Pike East. Bringing that North Jersey flavor down to the 856 area code.
One thing to keep in mind: wait times. Because they fry everything to order (and do that double-fry dance I mentioned earlier), you aren't getting your food in five minutes. If you walk in without calling ahead, expect a 20-minute wait. Minimum.
The Side Dish Game (Don't Skip the Radish)
Every order of Yam Yam Chicken NJ usually comes with a small plastic container of pickled daikon radish cubes. If you’re new to this, you might be tempted to toss them. Don't. The acidity and the cold crunch of the radish are biologically necessary to cut through the fat of the fried chicken. It’s a palate cleanser. You eat two wings, you eat a radish cube, and suddenly your mouth is ready for more salt. It’s a cycle. A delicious, dangerous cycle.
They also do Bulgogi fries and Ddeokbokki (spicy rice cakes). The Ddeokbokki at Yam Yam is legit—chewy, spicy, and serves as a great dipping sauce for the plain "Original" fried chicken if you’re feeling adventurous.
Why the "Small Batch" Feel Matters
There's this weird thing that happens when a restaurant expands too fast. The quality drops. The sauce gets watery. The chicken gets smaller.
Yam Yam has stayed relatively small compared to the global giants. Because of that, the owners and managers in the NJ locations seem to have a tighter grip on quality control. You can tell the oil is changed frequently because the crust doesn't have that "old grease" bitter aftertaste.
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Is it healthy? Absolutely not. It’s deep-fried bird. But is it a "soul-satisfying, I-had-a-long-week-at-work" meal? 100%.
Addressing the "Soggy Wing" Misconception
I hear this sometimes: "I ordered Yam Yam and it wasn't crunchy."
Listen. If you order takeout and then leave that box closed on your passenger seat for 45 minutes while you run other errands, the steam is going to kill the crunch. That's physics. To get the best out of Yam Yam Chicken NJ, you have to vent the box. Pop the lid. Let the steam escape. Or, better yet, eat it in the car like a champion.
How it Ranks Against the Competition
People always ask how it compares to Pelicana or BBQ.Chicken (another big Korean chain).
- Pelicana: Usually a bit sweeter, more focused on the "Yangnyeom" (seasoned) style.
- BBQ.Chicken: Very crunchy, but sometimes the batter feels a bit thicker/heavier.
- Yam Yam: Hits the middle ground. It’s lighter than BBQ.Chicken but crispier than Pelicana.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Order
If you're planning to hit up Yam Yam this weekend, do it right. Follow these steps to maximize the experience:
- Call 20 Minutes Ahead: Seriously. Don't just show up. Use their online ordering or call the Ridgefield/Cherry Hill shops directly.
- The Half-and-Half Rule: If it's your first time, get half Soy Garlic and half Hot & Spicy. It gives you the full spectrum of what they do best.
- Order the Coleslaw: Their coleslaw has a specific vinegar-to-mayo ratio that works surprisingly well with the Soy Garlic wings.
- Check the Specials: Sometimes they run promos on whole chickens versus wings. The whole chicken (cut into pieces) is actually more traditional and often juicier than just getting a bucket of flats and drums.
- Check Hours: Many Korean spots in Jersey have mid-day "break times" or specific Monday closures. Always double-check their Google Maps listing before making the trek.
If you’re in Bergen County or down near Cherry Hill, skipping this spot is a mistake. It’s a local staple for a reason. Get the radish. Open the box. Enjoy the crunch.