There’s a new eatery in Hackensack with a focus on takeout. Bloom Chicken serves Korean Fried Chicken with a variety of signature sauces. Though the area is no stranger to this style of chicken, Chef and Co-owner Woo Sung Cho isn’t worried; he believes his business stands out from the pack because his food is made with passion and sincerity.
“Mine has a different style of batter, it’s crispier. And we have a variety of sauces,” he says. The 600-square foot Bloom Chicken also benefits from its prime location, drawing customers from Hackensack Hospital and nearby apartments. In fact, hospital workers get a 10% discount as well as lunch specials made with them in mind. Plus, since Hackensack is home to a younger crowd, the menu is a great match for the local lifestyle.
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Business is Blooming
Bloom Chicken is primarily designed for takeout. The spot does not have indoor seating, but does offer outdoor seating beneath an awning for 12 patrons. The interior is “cozy with a modern and clean look,” as Cho puts it. Their slogan — Blooming with Flavor –represents their belief that this is no ordinary fried chicken; their signature sauces alter the flavor profile, allowing patrons to enjoy the same chicken in multiple ways.
As for the menu, the crispy chicken wings are of course the highlight. In particular, they offer wings in both 10 and 20-piece boxes. However, the menu also includes kimchi fried rice bowls such as chicken mayo, spicy chicken, and bulgogi. (The latter is a thinly sliced, marinated Korean-style beef.) Meanwhile, vegetarian options range from the organic corn and butternut squash soups to kale salad. Other options include a handful of burgers, sandwiches, and sides. Click here to see the full menu.
But no Korean fried chicken order is complete without a signature sauce. Bloom Chicken serves six flavors, like the popular Soy Garlic, Sweet and Spicy, and Miso BBQ options. They also have Sweet and Smokey, Korean BBQ, and S.O.S. Korean spicy, which is as spicy as it sounds. “If you come, we’ll let you try all the sauces,” Cho says.
About the Owner
Woo Sung Cho grew up in South Korea, spending time at his family’s traditional Korean restaurant. He then moved to the United States and graduated from the French Culinary Institute in New York City. (Now known as the International Culinary Center.) His previous restaurant experience includes working at Daniel, Morimoto, and Jean-Georges in New York City. Cho also owns Bloom in Verona, a Korean and French inspired New American restaurant. As for Bloom Chicken, “I’ve always thought about opening a chicken restaurant,” he says.
Visit Bloom Chicken at 356 Essex St in Hackensack. (Click here to find them on Google Maps.) To learn more: Click here to visit their website | Follow them on Instagram | Click to give them a call.
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Bloom Chicken FAQs
Yes, for their outdoor seating.
No, they do not have gluten-free options.
Bloom Chicken offers vegetarian options, yes.
Yes, they offer takeout.
Yes, via DoorDash and Uber Eats.
No, they don’t serve alcohol.
There is not a kids’ menu, no.
All Photos: © Bloom Chicken
