In Korean fried chicken ordering, what does 'banban' mean?

In Korean fried chicken ordering, “banban” means half-and-half: part of the chicken is seasoned and part is plain fried. The term is shortened from a phrase meaning half yangnyeom and half huraideu.

Yangnyeom chicken is fried chicken coated in a sweet, spicy sauce commonly based on gochujang and other seasonings. Huraideu-chikin is the basic fried version, usually served without that sauce. Ordering banban lets diners receive both styles in one order, rather than choosing between sauced and unsauced chicken.

The wording can describe a split order of pieces or portions, depending on the restaurant’s serving format. It does not mean boneless chicken, extra-spicy chicken, or chicken that has been fried twice. Those are separate characteristics or menu options.

Korean fried chicken is known for its thin, crisp crust and is often prepared by frying the chicken twice. Common accompaniments include pickled radish and beer, but the double-frying technique should not be confused with the ordering term banban. The phrase specifically describes the seasoning split.