Beaumont Street adds another cuisine to its long list with the arrival of Jjindakk and its menu featuring Korean fried chicken.

Brought to you by South Korean-born, now Novocastrian, Insung Park, Jjindakk is the product of many years of love for Korean fried chicken. The Beaumont Street venue is the first brick-and-mortar space for the business, opening on Friday, 10th of November 2023.

“My dream was to open a Korean fried chicken restaurant in Korea because I just love it so much. I thought, if I could become an owner, I could eat this food every day! That’s why I wanted to open a restaurant – because I just loved Korean Fried Chicken so much,” Insung said.

Having moved to Australia back in 2012, Insung came over with a background in the kitchen, but it was boilermaking that got him into the workforce and eventually landed Australian citizenship. But that love for the almighty Korean fried chicken was always there.

“When I first moved to Australia, there was no Korean fried chicken around and I always dreamt about starting a business. Then one day, I decided to just do it.”

In November last year, a Korean fried chicken food truck by the name of Jjindakk was born and it quickly developed a cult-like following. Just over 12 months later the food truck has gone into hibernation as Jjindakk moved into its own space right in the heart of Hamilton’s Beaumont Street.

“Jjindakk is Jjin – is slang in Korea that means proper real. Dakk means chicken. Basically, it’s just proper real chicken.”

The cosy space sits within what some may remember as Coal Espresso, but it has had a completely fresh fit out complete with a one-of-a-kind mural by none other than Jordan Lucky.

“We had Jordan Lucky come in to do our mural for us and I just love it. I gave Jordan my idea, and then this was his idea and I loved it and said let’s go.”

Having only been open a few short weeks, the new venue is already surrounded by foodies keen to try Insung’s personally developed Korean fried chicken flavours, they can hardly keep up with demand!

So, what exactly can you expect on the menu?

Well firstly, Korean fried chicken of course! Insung has come up with six unique flavour combinations – all of which can be ordered as singular dishes or choose three different toppings with Chicken Siblings or choose the U.F.O Chicken that comes complete with four chicken flavours plus a bowl of cheese fondue – YUUUUUM.

The flavours include Yangneyeom (the most popular), crunchy, honey soy, spicy, snowing cheese, and creamy cob.

The menu also includes a bunch of sides, rice dishes, and even two signature Jjindakk burger options. The Beef Bulgogi Mac n Cheese is proving to be quite popular, as is the Kimchi Fried Rice, and Chi-Bap flavour combinations.

What is Chi-Bap you ask? The word can be broken down into chi, which is a Korean adaptation of the word chicken, and bap which means rice. Expect a bowl of rice topped with flavoured fried chicken (choose from Yangnyeom, honey soy, or spicy) and topped with coleslaw.

Insung has plans to expand the menu even more with the intention to add plenty more Korean street food eats to the Jjindakk menu – watch this space!

In addition to the food offering, Jjindakk has a liquor license and offers a selection of beer and soju. Treat yourself to an authentic Korean drink, the Makgeolli – a combination of original Soju served with Mak-Sa (Korean Sprite) served in a teapot.

Get around this truly unique foodie spot joining the never-ending selection of cuisines on Beaumont Street and see for yourself why Jjindakk and its Korean fried chicken is bringing people through in droves.