39 Chicken: A Korean Fried Chicken Spot I’ve Chosen After 10 Years in Osaka

39チキン
(39 Chicken)

Chicken from 39 Chicken placed inside a delivery box
Delivery chicken from 39 Chicken

■Franchise / Korean food / Price per Person: ¥2,000-¥3,000
※Prices are based on my visit and may vary by location or time.

39 Chicken is a Korean fried chicken restaurant that has steadily gained popularity in Osaka. It is known for its classic Korean-style chicken that is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and it is distinctive for adding 12 traditional herbal ingredients to achieve both flavor and balance.

After living in Korea for many years, I have now been residing in Osaka for about 10 years. During that time, I have tried and compared various chicken restaurants, and in the end, I now order exclusively from 39 Chicken. The taste is consistently reliable, and because the restaurant handles its own delivery, the condition of the food remains stable upon arrival, which is the main reason I continue to choose it.

39 Chicken also gained attention when it became known that BTS member Jungkook had eaten it. When my Japanese friends ask me to recommend Korean fried chicken, I do not hesitate to suggest this place. Its signature crispiness and juiciness make it an approachable choice, even for those trying Korean fried chicken for the first time.

Store Information

●Location
〒542-0074 大阪府大阪市中央区千日前1丁目2−8 1F
(1F, 1-2-8 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0074)
About a 5-minute walk from Nippombashi Station.

●Phone
+81-6-4963-3999

●Business Hours
13:00~25:30

●Notes
Dine-in, delivery, and takeout are all available.
For delivery, ordering directly via LINE is more affordable.

Menu Overview

Main chicken menu at 39 Chicken divided into bone-in and boneless
Chicken menu divided into bone-in and boneless
Individual chicken menu at 39 Chicken with selectable bone options
Chicken menu with selectable bone options

The main menu at 39 Chicken is broadly divided into bone-in and boneless chicken. Bone-in chicken is appealing because you can enjoy the different textures and flavors of each cut, while boneless chicken is easier to eat without getting your hands too greasy, making it especially convenient for children or when sharing with a group. Personally, I prefer the distinct flavor of each cut, so I usually order a half-and-half set with bone-in chicken.

Sauces such as seasoned (yangnyeom) sauce, mustard sauce, and garlic mayo sauce can be added separately. Ordering the original fried chicken and pairing it with sauces according to your preference is also a good option. Trying multiple sauces at once allows you to enjoy different flavors with a single menu item, which I would recommend especially for first-time customers.

When you order chicken, pickled radish is provided as well. Its refreshing taste helps balance the richness of the fried chicken, making it an essential pairing.

Side menu options at 39 Chicken
Side menu at 39 Chicken

The reason I continue to order from 39 Chicken is not only because of the quality of the chicken, but also because of the high standard of its side dishes. Although chicken is the main menu item, the restaurant also offers a wide range of Korean-style dishes such as various stews, tteokbokki, jeon, and kimbap, giving customers plenty of options. These are not simply items added for variety; each side dish is satisfying enough to be ordered on its own.

In fact, there are times when I place an order because I am craving the side dishes rather than the chicken. Being able to enjoy several kinds of Korean food at once is another appealing aspect of this restaurant.

Ordering via LINE

LINE ordering screen for 39 Chicken main branch
Ordering via LINE

I recommend placing an order directly through LINE. When you order via LINE, delivery is free, and it is approximately 20% cheaper than using delivery apps. If you plan to order frequently, ordering directly is a much more reasonable option.

Example of an actual LINE order message for 39 Chicken
Sample LINE order message

The ordering process is simple.

1. Address

2. Phone number

3. Order details

Just send these three pieces of information via LINE. In most cases, you will receive a confirmation reply quickly, and the ordering process is generally smooth. If you do not receive a reply within five minutes, you may send another message or call the restaurant to confirm.

Please note that a minimum order amount may be required depending on the delivery distance, so it is advisable to check in advance.

Signature Chicken

Bone-in half-and-half chicken with original and soy sauce from 39 Chicken
Half-and-half chicken original and soy

The menu I consistently order is the bone-in half-and-half chicken, usually a combination of original fried and soy sauce chicken. The original fried version allows you to fully enjoy the natural, savory flavor of the chicken along with its crispy coating, which is why it has long been one of my preferred choices. The soy sauce chicken, on the other hand, has a balanced blend of saltiness and subtle sweetness, making it flavorful without being overpowering and naturally stimulating the appetite.

39 Chicken offers a wide variety of flavors, which makes it difficult to choose just one. If it is your first time ordering, trying the half-and-half option to experience two flavors at once is a good choice. Adding extra sauces according to your preference is also a nice way to create some variation.

Side Menu Overview

39 Chicken is not only known for its main menu, the chicken, but also for its side dishes, which are well worth recommending. They are not merely simple add-ons; each item is well-balanced in flavor and satisfying enough to be ordered on its own.

Below are the side dishes that I order almost every time from the various options available.

Kimbap

Kimbap side dish from 39 Chicken
Kimbap at 39 Chicken

When talking about Korean street food, kimbap is one of the dishes that cannot be left out. The kimbap at 39 Chicken is not particularly elaborate or innovative, but it is made with simple, well-balanced ingredients, making it easy and enjoyable to eat. Its clean and mild flavor pairs well with chicken without being overpowering.

If you enjoy rice, ordering kimbap instead of a plain bowl of rice is a good option, as it allows you to experience a variety of textures along with your meal.

Sundubu-jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)

Sundubu jjigae soft tofu stew from 39 Chicken
Sundubu jjigae at 39 Chicken

Although I have not tried every side dish at 39 Chicken, the item I would recommend most after the chicken is the sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew). Since it was ordered for delivery, the photo does not fully capture how appetizing it looks, which is unfortunate. However, it is satisfying enough that there are times when I order chicken mainly because I am craving the sundubu-jjigae.

The stew combines soft tofu, a nearly soft-boiled egg, small clams, and mushrooms, creating a broth that is both mildly spicy and rich in depth. Rather than being aggressively spicy, the flavors of the ingredients are naturally infused into the soup, giving it a level of quality that could easily be compared to a restaurant specializing in sundubu-jjigae.

Cheese Sticks

Cheese sticks side dish from 39 Chicken
Cheese sticks at 39 Chicken

The cheese sticks are, honestly, exactly what you would expect in terms of flavor. Rather than offering something new or surprising, they are best described as familiar and reliable. As someone who enjoys cheese, I find that they pair especially well with the chicken, as they are another fried item that complements the meal nicely.

They are crispy on the outside, with mozzarella cheese inside, allowing you to enjoy both a savory flavor and a pleasantly chewy texture. They are not overly heavy or intense, but work well as an occasional bite between pieces of chicken—a simple yet dependable side dish.

Sticker Reward System

Sticker reward paper from 39 Chicken
39 Chicken sticker reward paper

Another appealing aspect of 39 Chicken is its sticker reward system. When you order above a certain amount, you receive a chick-themed sticker, and once you collect a set number of stickers, you can redeem them for a free whole chicken. The system naturally reminds me of collecting coupons from local chicken or Chinese restaurants when I was growing up in Korea, which makes it feel somewhat nostalgic and personally meaningful.

There is no expiration date on the stickers, so you can collect them without pressure. If you find yourself ordering whenever you crave chicken, you may eventually realize that you have completed a full sheet before you know it. The restaurant also operates until late at night, which makes it convenient when you are in the mood for a late-night meal. If you are looking for authentic Korean-style fried chicken in Osaka, this is a place worth considering.

■39 Chicken Nippombashi Main Branch

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