BHC Korean Fried Chicken, Marina Square: Walk-In Bburinkle

BHC Chicken, at 6 Raffles Blvd, #02-332A/332F, Singapore 039594, occupies a corner of level two in the Marina Square mall, a few minutes on foot from the Esplanade and the Marina Bay waterfront. The restaurant calls its parent brand South Korea's No. 1 fried chicken chain, and the reason Singaporeans queue here is one dish: Bburinkle, bone-in chicken rolled in an orange-gold seasoning of cheese and vegetable powder. The outlet list on bhc.com.sg gives Marina Square hours of 11am to 10pm every day of the week, and every table is walk-in only.

BHC is a household name in Korea, where fried chicken and beer, chimaek, is the default order for watching football or baseball with friends. Singapore got its own BHC when the Marina Square outlet opened on 26 April 2023 as a 108-seat restaurant, according to Mothership's preview that month. A second outlet has since opened at Taste Orchard on Orchard Road, and both are listed by the local operator, BHC Chicken Pte Ltd.

With 108 seats, the Marina Square room is built for groups sharing whole birds rather than quick solo meals. The menu booklet, printed in bright yellow with a round cartoon chick mascot, is organised around whole, half, wings and boneless portions, so a table can mix two or three flavours. Families come in after shopping, and the office towers of Marina Centre send a steady after-work crowd on weekdays.

Prices below come from the menu images on bhc.com.sg. Bburinkle is BHC's signature: crisp fried chicken coated in a cheese and vegetable seasoning, served with a creamy Bburing dip. A whole 14-piece bird is S$34.90, a half of seven pieces is S$21.90, fourteen wings cost S$30.90, and a 300 g portion of boneless thigh is S$18.90. The seasoning is salty, savoury and faintly sweet, closer to cheese snack dust than a sauce, and it stays crunchy even on takeaway.

The other cult order is Macho King, chicken glazed in aged soy sauce and a honey-based sauce, at the same prices as Bburinkle. Red King piles on hot chilli and garlic for anyone who likes heat, and Gold King is drizzled in Korean soy, honey and garlic, both S$34.90 whole. For plain crunch, Retro is classic fried chicken cooked in sunflower oil, and Hot Retro adds spice. Both cost S$31.90 for a whole bird or S$18.90 for a half.

The portion sizes on the menu make planning simple. A whole bird is 14 pieces and a half is seven, so two people usually split a half plus a rice cake dish, while four can share one whole Bburinkle and one half Macho King to compare dry seasoning against glaze. Wings also come as a 14-piece portion, handy for anyone who only wants drumettes and flats. The 300 g boneless thigh, at S$18.90 in every flavour, is the cheapest way to add a third taste without ordering another full bird.

Platters are the easiest way to feed a group. Platter A, at S$49.90, gives you a whole Bburinkle or Macho King, fries in Bburing or original seasoning, and two soft drinks. Platter B, S$54.90, swaps the fries for spicy rabokki or tteokbokki. Platter C, S$59.90, includes the chicken, fries, a rice cake dish and two drinks. A creamy rose version of the rice cakes adds S$2 to Platters B and C.

Ordered on their own, Spicy Tteokbokki and Spicy Rabokki, the rice cake and ramyeon mix, are each S$14.90, with the milder rose versions at S$16.90, and both come with a boiled egg. A Spicy Fishcake Soup with skewers simmered in broth is S$20.90, the Pork Kimchi Stew with pork belly is S$17.90, and Kimchi Fried Rice topped with an egg is S$11.90.

Chamisul soju is S$19.90 for the original 360 ml bottle and S$17.90 for green grape, plum or peach. Hite and Terra lagers are S$6.90 a can, and a 750 ml bottle of Jinro makgeolli rice wine is S$19.90. On the soft side, Korean cans such as Bong Bong grape juice, crushed pear juice and Paldo sikhye, the sweet rice drink, are S$4.00 each, as are Coke and Fuze Tea. BHC's own mineral water is S$2.50.

BHC does not take reservations: seating is first come, first served. Aim for an early lunch or a mid-afternoon visit to stay ahead of the meal-time rush. If there is a line at 7pm, takeaway is available for the whole menu, and the Bburinkle seasoning travels well enough to eat on the waterfront a few minutes away. Groups of four or more should arrive together, because tables go to whoever is waiting in line.

Budget for extras at the till. The menu notes that all prices are subject to a 10% service charge and 9% GST, so a S$34.90 whole bird comes to just over S$41 once both are added. Platters are the better value, because each lists a usual price above its bundle price, and they save one round of ordering when the table is hungry.

Esplanade and Promenade MRT stations are both a short walk from Marina Square, and City Hall station is reachable on foot through Raffles City and CityLink Mall, which keeps most of the route under cover on rainy evenings. Inside the mall, take the escalators to level two and follow the mall directory to the restaurant units at the end of the dining corridor.

After dinner, cross to the Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, for free concerts on its outdoor stage, then follow the waterfront promenade towards the Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands light show reflected across the water. Heading the other way, the Helix Bridge crosses to Bayfront, and from there Gardens by the Bay is a pleasant evening walk once the heat drops.

BHC Chicken, 6 Raffles Blvd, #02-332A/332F, Singapore 039594 (level two of the Marina Square mall). Hours (per the Our Outlets list on bhc.com.sg): Monday to Sunday, 11am to 10pm. No reservations, walk-in only. Email: enquiries@bhc.com.sg. Bburinkle whole S$34.90, half S$21.90. Retro whole S$31.90. Platter A S$49.90. Prices are subject to a 10% service charge and 9% GST. Takeaway is available for the menu.