New Korean Fried Chicken Restaurant To Open In East Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Dippin' Chicken, a new Korean fried chicken restaurant featuring bold and unique house-made dipping sauces, is set to open next month in East Norwalk.

Located at 236 East Avenue, Founder Robert Lee said the new restaurant will look to bring crispy, double-fried chicken and unique dipping sauce experiences to food lovers in the area searching for something different.

"After years of testing recipes and developing a brand that reflects what we love about Korean cuisine, we found that Norwalk was a perfect place to launch," Lee said to Patch.

According to Lee, the idea for Dippin' Chicken has been a few years in the making.

"It all began with a desire to bring high-quality, crave-worthy Korean fried chicken to the space, but with a twist," Lee said, "a unique selection of sauces that you won't find anywhere else. We saw an opportunity to blend bold flavors with an exciting, engaging dining experience."

The restaurant's soft opening is currently scheduled to begin March 1, with a grand opening set for March 15.

Lee said he felt March was the perfect time to open Dippin' Chicken as it is usually when the city sees hints of warmer weather. It is also typically when residents start to get outside more often and look for new places to try.

Starting in the spring also gives Lee and his team the opportunity to ramp up before East Norwalk gets even busier in the summer as more people visit the area for beach days and local events.

"We're looking forward to welcoming both locals and beach-goers who are eager to enjoy great food after a day in the sun," Lee said, "and we're planning a few special summer promotions to make it even more exciting for people to stop by."

An area resident himself, Lee said he loves the beautiful beaches and vibrant community found in East Norwalk, especially during the warmer months.

"East Norwalk is a growing community with a vibrant mix of both locals and visitors," Lee said, "which makes it an ideal location for a fast-casual restaurant like us."

According to Lee, the East Avenue location offers excellent visibility and access to commuters coming from the nearby train station, making it easy for customers to pop in during their daily routine.

"Additionally, the surrounding area is home to families, professionals and a younger crowd, all of whom are looking for convenient, fresh and exciting food options," Lee said. "With its mix of residential and commercial spaces, East Norwalk is a perfect neighborhood to launch a restaurant that offers something unique, and Dippin' Chicken fits right into that vision."

Dippin' Chicken customers will be able to enjoy a number of tempting menu items, however Lee and his team hope their signature fried chicken will be the star of the show.

"The crispy texture combined with our bold, unique sauces is what makes our chicken addictive," Lee said.

Guests will be able to mix and match their choice of chicken, which includes boneless, wings or sandwiches, with creative sauce bundles, such as Miso Ranch, Spicy Gochujang, Plum Honey Mustard and Sweet Korean BBQ, ensuring every visit is a new taste adventure.

Sides will include seasoned fries, kimchi fried rice and corn cheese.

Lee is also excited for customers to try the Korean-style boneless pieces with a side of kimchi, a flavor combination he notes is "out of this world."

"For something lighter," Lee said, "our crispy chicken sandwich offers a great balance of flavors and textures, with a blend of fresh veggies and savory goodness."

While East Norwalk features a number of popular dining options that see heavy traffic during the warmer spring and summer months, Lee said Dippin' Chicken's unique Korean-inspired flavors will help set them apart from other area restaurants.

"We offer something that's not available in the typical fast-casual fried chicken scene," Lee said. "Plus, our commitment to quality ingredients and creating a fun dining experience makes us different."

To celebrate its arrival next month, Dippin' Chicken will feature grand opening specials, including 25 percent off every order during the first two weeks and free Dalgona sweets for the first 100 customers. The restaurant will also feature loyalty programs and limited-time sauces.

Overall, Lee said he is thrilled to bring something fresh and fun to East Norwalk.

"We want Dippin' Chicken to be an exciting place to enjoy Korean fried chicken, whether it's through our bold flavors or creative sauces," Lee said. "We can't wait to see everyone enjoy the experience."