Korean Chicken Tacos

Total Time
30 minutes, plus 2 to 4 hours’ marinating
Rating
5(327)
Comments
Read comments

The inspiration for these Korean-style barbecue tacos came from the Kogi Korean BBQ-To-Go truck in Los Angeles. The success of the snack inspired dozens of entrepreneurs in the late 2000s to open Korean taco businesses. The chef Tomas Lee, a native of Seoul, South Korea, who grew up in Mustang, Okla., was one. “I thought tacos might be a way to get Korean food on everybody’s table,” Mr. Lee said. This recipe is adapted from his Hankook Taqueria in Atlanta. —John T. Edge

Featured in: The Tortilla Takes a Road Trip to Korea

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:6 servings

    For Marinating Chicken

    • ¼cup Korean red pepper paste (gochujang, available in Korean markets)
    • ¼cup white vinegar
    • ¼cup sugar
    • 2tablespoons sesame oil
    • 1pound skinless, boneless chicken

    For the Vinaigrette

    • ¼cup soy sauce
    • ¼cup white vinegar
    • ¼cup sugar
    • 1tablespoon sesame oil
    • teaspoons hot red-pepper flakes

    To Serve

    • 3leaves green leaf lettuce, shredded
    • 1cup shredded green Napa cabbage or other cabbage
    • ½cup diced Vidalia or other sweet onion
    • ¼cup sliced scallions
    • 2tablespoons chopped cilantro
    • 6burrito-size or 12 taco-size flour tortillas
    • ¼cup Monterey Jack cheese
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

493 calories; 24 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 46 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 20 grams sugars; 22 grams protein; 1470 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    For marinating chicken: In a bowl (or sealable plastic bag) combine red pepper paste, vinegar, sugar and sesame oil. Add chicken and mix again. Cover (or seal) and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours.

  2. Step 2

    For the vinaigrette: In a small mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil and pepper flakes. Whisk until well blended.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare a grill or heat a large skillet. Grill or sauté chicken until golden brown on all sides and opaque in center; be careful not to overcook. Remove from heat and cut into ¾-inch dice.

  4. Step 4

    In a large mixing bowl, combine lettuce, cabbage, onion, scallions and cilantro. Toss with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette, or to taste. Place a tortilla on each of 6 serving plates. Place an equal portion of chicken on each tortilla, and top with a portion of salad. Sprinkle with cheese, garnish plate with a lime wedge.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
327 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

This was easy and delicious. I doubled the recipe and still didn't have enough for my family of 5. I put my chicken thighs on a cooking pan lined with foil and a rack on top of it, broiled it for about 5 minutes on each side and had easy cleanup.

Caramelized some onions before adding the chicken, and it was really exceptional. Also recommend rice vinegar in lieu of plain white. Delicious!

A big hit with my family, especially the kids. The salad topping can be made a million different ways: carrot shreds, cucumber matchsticks, cilantro, romaine, whatever you have on hand.

Bonkers good, and not too spicy for my delicate flower of a husband. Got busy and the chicken sat in the marinade for about 26 hours and it was just fine.

5 year app user and 1st time commenter... Made this today, and my hubby and I loved it! Thank you to previous commenters for their valuable insight. I made the marinade as listed but used rice vinegar and 1T sugar in the vinegarette. I used red cabbage and romaine lettuce and separated the onion and cilantro as they can overpower, especially in the leftovers. We liked the jasmine rice with cilantro and lime I had on the side as well. This will be a regular menu item at our house.

I think I’ve made this about 20 times. The whole family just loves it every, single, time I make it!

Private comments are only visible to you.

Credits

Adapted from Hankook Taqueria, Atlanta

or to save this recipe.