Back in July, Eater LA reported the first US location of Buddy Chicken was being built in Santa Anita Mall. Well, it's November and we're still waiting. In the meantime, The Block Outlets at Orange are hiring management for their first Orange County outpost.
Founded in China, Buddy Jipai (as they're also referred to) is a boneless, heart-shaped chicken breast that's flattened, marinated, battered and deep fried to a delicious state. These seven-ounce beauties are mass produced throughout 500 franchised storefronts at a rate of 40,000 cluckers daily. Damn impressive for a trio of unemployed baking tools salesmen from Taiwan with no actual restaurant experience.
]
They're opening up shop in the food court area, across from Rubio's. Offering flavors like plum powder, spicy Mexican powder and original salt and pepper, we're crossing our fingers for a bbq or sriracha version of this Taiwanese street food. Nom nom.
Follow Stick a Fork In It on Twitter @ocweeklyfood, Facebook, and Instagram! And don't forget to download our free Best Of App here!
A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.