Walking into Mukja you’re greeted by images of the food displayed on the wall to convey visual menus and a black and white mural that features Atlanta staples such as a peach, a Coke bottle, and a MARTA train. They wanted Mukja - which translates to “Let’s Eat” in Korean - to blend their two identities to create something new. The two best friends are from South Korea and grew up in the Southern U.S. ![]() Chung and Chang formed C&C Hospitality Group to bring awareness to Korean food and culture. After they graduated from college in 2019, Chung said the stars aligned and they formed their company, C&C Hospitality Group, and Mukja Korean Fried Chicken was born. It wasn’t until a Michelin-star chef came over and said, “This fried chicken is a hit.” That compliment was all the duo needed to realize they should go into business together and open up their own Korean fried chicken restaurant. As their friends came over to try out the fried chicken, Chung and Chang realized they may have something on their hands. One day, he tried something new and made fried chicken that was so good the two joked about opening a restaurant one day. Chang loved to cook and was always in the kitchen cooking meals using his family recipes. Chung went to Scheller and majored in finance, while Chang went to Georgia State. It’s been amazing to show our Korean culture and get recognized for it.” Mukja Is BornĬhung and Chang were college roommates as they pursued their undergraduate studies. But opening a restaurant during Covid and having people notice it is the most rewarding part. “I thought opening a restaurant at a young age was an accomplishment. "I got the call and had tears in my eyes. In the same year, the duo was included on the “Rising Stars” list by the Georgia Restaurant Association. The Georgia Tech Scheller undergraduate alum accomplished one of his bucket list items when he and his business partner, Sean Chang, were included in Atlanta Inno’s “25 Under 25” list in 2020 for the founding of their restaurant. No.Peter Chung, co-owner of Mukja Korean Fried Chicken restaurant, has a lot to celebrate. 88: Biscuits and Green Chile at the Noshery 89: The Diavola Calzone at Pino's Neighborhood Pizzeria 93: Zuppa Pomodoro at Parisi Italian Market & Deli 97: Squab-and-Sunchoke Tortellini at Abejas 98: Porchetta and Kimchi Sandwich at Brider 99: Bacon Shrimp and Grits at Bacon Social House 100: Masala Beef at Biju's Little Curry Shop Hungry for more? All the dishes in our 2016 countdown are linked below. If there's a dish you think we need to try, tell us about it in the comments section, or shoot us an e-mail at Throughout this year, we'll be counting down the best dishes in the city - from longtime classics that keep us coming back to new additions that have caught our attention. The wings are just a sample of the whole bird, though Yong Gung also offers entire plates of fried chicken in either sweet or garlic-imbued chile sauces. If the heat's a little too intense, cool your palate with the accompanying side salad doused in a simple Thousand Island dressing. The reddish skin crackles beneath a shiny glaze that pools on the platter, inviting cleanup with a spoon (resist the temptation to just lick the whole plate). The combination of salty, tangy and funky flavors - overlaid with a slow burn on par with that of classic Buffalo wings - cries out for a beer or soju, a light but potent rice-based beverage. ![]() What you'll get is a generous pile of bird - mostly big, meaty drumettes - fried crisp, doused in sticky, tangy sauce and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and sesame seeds. Instead, they capture the spirit of American bar food - with the added punch of Korean heat. Yong Gung's menu is short and easy to navigate, with the names of dishes in Korean and descriptions in English: Look for maewoon dak, or just ask for fried chicken wings. ![]() The modern, lively eatery's chicken wings are one of the few items on the menu that aren't of Chinese origin (although Beijing-style fried chicken wings are popular in Korea). Instead, Yong Gung specializes in Korean-Chinese cooking, with recipes that originated in China but evolved over time in Korea. The nondescript little storefront at 2040 South Havana Street that once boasted the name Yong Gung Dragon Palace Chinese Restaurant is now simply Yong Gung - a minor change that takes away some confusion, since the restaurant doesn't serve Chinese cuisine as Americans know it. ![]() 84: Korean Fried Chicken Wings at Yong Gung
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