Calvin&#x27;s Korean Hot Chicken

1

36

12

1 month ago

Straight GAS. No brakes. That's all I gotta say. Thank you. 85 characters. 85 characters. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Grace R.

Elite 26 All-Star

75

133

728

5 months ago

Good takeout spot. There are a few tables, but this is really more of a quick lunch place. Chicken is tasty--crispy, saucy, and they pointed us to add furikake on top, which was the move. Rice is solid, and the slaw isn't mayo-heavy--more crunchy, fresh, and balanced. We got the tender box for $14 and it was a pretty generous portion. Overall: great for takeout. You can sit, but the vibe is a little... random. Not why you're going anyway. read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - Tender box $14 - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 5

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 0

James G.

27

347

133

3 months ago

Down in La Jolla for a wedding and found this chicken place on Yelp. Gluten free (wife) so definitely had to try! Chicken was so good, we got chicken strip 10 piece tenders only and an order of onion rings (non-gluten free). Everything was SO good! I recommend Devil garlic - medium heat (super mild), and Garlicky soy. Will definitely order again while we are here! read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - Onion rings, not gluten free - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Bernadette C.

136

204

1289

9 months ago

I've only been here twice within the past 4 yrs but after that first visit in 2021, I claimed them as my favorite--hands down--KFC place!! Coming back in 2025 just revived my soul once again after taking that first bite. The crunch that their chicken has is unreal even when it's drenched in sauce. Super flavorful with every bite no matter which flavor you get! You also must eat it when it's hot and fresh. The workers are chill and there's just a few tables inside and outside. I assume many ppl take it to-go? Because I didn't see much people sitting and eating. We don't live anywhere near the area so that's why it's not easily accessible and a go-to, but trust me, I never stop thinking about this chicken! read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - Satan's Kiss & Garlicky Soy - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Cryetti C.

Elite 26 All-Star

96

555

1356

1 year ago

Food: 4 Service: 4 Ambiance: 3 Got my kfc (Korean fried chicken) fix close to work! Yes! I ordered online and went to pick up. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a fairly small, humble place. There was a man working who manned the register and I think also the cook? He was just fine and helped me when I walked in. There were few other customers inside too. My order was ready and he gave it to me with a smile. I ordered the wing box with the deviled garlic seasoning (it was not spicy at all). Everything was delicious and fresh... the wings were yummy and fries were warm and crispy. The coleslaw was ok. I do wish there was a bit more sauce on the wings. I'll be back! read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - WING BOX - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Thu N.

2

47

103

11 months ago

Now that I'm going to UCSD I've been stuck eating mid dining hall food so my review right now might be a little biased But this place was so good. Located a short walk away from the Nobel Drive station, this place is pretty easy to get to as a UCSD student. It is a bit tucked away though. Staff were friendly and welcomed me in. I ordered 6 pieces of wings with the devilish garlic flavor. I ordered to dine-in and the staff handed me the food. I thought the wings were on the bigger end of the spectrum. The food came out hot. The meat was juicy and flavorful. Even though the wings are drenched in sauce, the coating still retains a delicious crunch even when you're on the last wing. The sauce is advertised to be spicy, but it was honestly a little mild in my opinion. I will definitely be getting the next level up next time. The coleslaw is sweet and refreshing. I will definitely be coming back and I hope to try one of the box deals. read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - DEVIL GARLIC 6 Wings - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lauren B.

114

325

146

9 months ago

Good and friendly service. Was one of the only spots open on Christmas Day so we tried it out. Not bad, but wouldn't go back again. Tenders were fine but sauce lacked flavor. The fry oil tasted a bit old as well. The rice was really good. Overall meh. read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - TENDER BOX - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Julianne B.

14

84

94

4 months ago

$15 is a GREAT deal for delicious chicken, rice, fries, and slaw. Seems unassuming in this strip mall- but definitely worth the visit. Loved the garlic soy flavor! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Anna H.

155

43

69

4 months ago

Amazing and gluten-free!!! Pickles were standard American dill chips (I was expecting some Korean pickles). read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - "tenders" are massive - basically 1/2 a breast - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Myro T.

5

31

107

9 months ago

Probably the best Korean fried chicken in San Diego! Spicy garlic was my favorite. Chicken has a great crisp and it comes out fresh you can see the heat coming from it visibly. Service was good, takes a while to get it out since it's fresh so it's worth it. More of a hole in the wall place but there are tables to eat at just limited. That would be my one critique, because if the place is full you'd have to take it to go and the chicken can lose some of its crisp. But we order to go all the time and it is still delicious at home. Highly recommend! read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - Soy garlic, spicy garlic, furikake rice - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kolt K.

Elite 25

139

75

68

9 months ago

So good and such a great value! Tried Calvin's Korean Fried Chicken and it completely delivered. We ordered two sets and honestly, the portions were more than we expected -- the perfect amount for sharing and still leaving us completely satisfied. The chicken was crispy, flavorful, and cooked just right. Every bite was on point. You can really tell they care about quality and consistency. Great food, great portions, and a spot I'll definitely be coming back to. Highly recommend if you're craving top-tier Korean fried chicken. read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - Lvl 1 and 2 - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ryan M.

0

2

0

2 months ago

TRASH CUSTOMER SERVICE!! Guy running the place is so stingy. He has everything behind the counter and makes you ask him if you need it. He was COUNTING NAPKINS at a fried chicken place!!?? Food was super mid, onion rings sucked! DONT GO HERE, TERRIBLE OVERALL!! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Christy C.

97

203

476

1 year ago

What a great find! Tender, juicy chicken. The savory red sauce was nicely mild spice and the crunchiness of the chicken didn't get lost. We subbed onion rings for fries and they were delicious. Not a huge fan of the coleslaw but it was fresh. And the price is super reasonable! read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - 2 piece tender box - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Rhoda C.

0

18

7

3 months ago

Food: got the tenders with soy garlic. I liked the flavor and crispiness. Tenders were a tad dry, so maybe wings are better, since they wouldn't need to be fried for as long. Was surprised pickled radish isn't on the menu. Fries were great, I love that seasoning (that seems like old bay). Slaw was dry on top, but in a pool on the bottom, so I suggest they toss before serving, instead of leaving out in prepared cups. Service: the woman at the register wasn't actively rude, but we surely didn't feel welcomed. When I asked for knives, she looked over at the table to see if we already had some, before hesitantly giving us some. When we were done and I asked for a to-go box (we ripped ours so it would be easier for the kids). She handed me a medium one. I asked for a large, she said she couldn't hand those out. I ended up needing a second box! Ambiance: very basic no-frills. Essentially a take-out please with a few tables. If eating for here, you still get served in to-go containers. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ani D.

0

1

0

6 months ago

Food was amazing. Good price and a good portion for the price! The coleslaw was different than what an American would expect. But very good. The rice with furikake was fire. Wings were top tier. 2 drums 2 flats. Sauce was great not overdone. Crunch was supreme. When I'm in the area again i will return. Ambiance was not something I can speak on, as i went at like 2 pm on a Friday and I was the only customer at the time. The staff is friendly, this place deserves the good reviews and deserves the community's support. If you play Torrey pines golf course give this place a try. Not a far drive. They also do a bowl of pickles for like 3 bucks and so it's good to have read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kerry L.

0

14

23

7 months ago

got the $14.50 wing box combo - devil garlic flavor pretty small cozy spot, lowkey hole in the wall vibes. like what you expect a joint in an old mall food court, got like 2nd-3rd gen kpop playing in the background pretty good! devil garlic wasn't spicy at all to me, and honestly i was happy with my portion. slaw was more acidic/vinegar than mayo based and creamy, a lot more watery? is the way to put it. food was prepped fast enough, fries were a little on the larger like burger king and starchy. i forgot if they were salted but i don't think so. good meal! wings were soft with good size, bone in, i like their breading but not super crazy or craggly as say some other spots, but still very good. they also made sure to not close the box so it doesn't get soggy or steam itself. read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - menu - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Bella G.

0

3

1

1 year ago

Food: the food was ok , would recommend more flavor Service: was fine Ambiance: it was not the best but fine read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Paul L.

82

40

1

4 months ago

Garbage. I had to add bbq sauce just to make it edible. I've had Korean fried chicken and this ain't it.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Fumie W.

30

374

915

9 months ago

the wing box is perfect for one person! honestly could go without the coleslaw but i love how they include both fries and rice. i recommend getting the devils garlic sauce for the wings! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Natania C.

9

193

407

1 year ago

I'm getting hungry writing this review. Their korean fried chicken is absolutely delicious. The sauces are savory and sauce-y, the texture is crispy and crunchy, and the chicken is hot and juicy. They closed at 7pm on the day that I went, but I believe they're normally open later. Great place to go after sports/gym or an eventful day. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Michael G.

0

11

2

10 months ago

Great sized boneless tenders(ik I'm a boneless guy for fried chicken) Receptive staff generous people. Excellent food read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Socialwithsams S.

1

24

41

4 months ago

Gluten free fried chicken! Unheard of in san diego, very hard to come by. Super tasty and lots of different sauces/coatings. Side of fries, coleslaw, and rice with furikake. Service was super fast. Inside there is seating, I prefer to take it to go though since a bit of a small space inside. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jamie C.

108

314

488

2 years ago

When I come to California, I cannot miss getting Korean fried chicken at least once. Usually the chicken will be gluten-free, but the sauces are loaded with soy sauce and so I can't have anything but plain. Here, all of their sauces are gluten-free. The first time at a restaurant I like to order a little bit of everything to see what I would like the most. I like the wings here more for some reason but they're all good. Same with the fries. I would say, unless you're gonna finish it all in one sitting, order the sauce on the side. There was definitely a lot of sauce and I can't see it remaining crunchy after you heat it up again. I also would order like a little bit lighter sauce because these were covered. Don't forget to ask for dipping sauce if you want that. Overall, definitely the best Korean fried chicken I've had thus far and really appreciate that their sauce are gluten-free too. Seems like a place where you do takeout but you can eat inside. read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jill L.

14

185

284

2 years ago

Wing combo box is a hearty size for one. I got soy garlicky flavor and wasn't actually that much of a fan because it didn't taste like soy or garlic. Just tasted like maple syrup which is tasty but not the flavor palette I was looking for or expecting from the name. Three group tables and two couple tables inside and one table outside for seating. read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - WING BOX (GARLICKY SOY) - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Mei-Ling D.

1

40

7

7 months ago

This is my husband's favorite chicken place. The seasoning and flavors are very unique. Food is always consistently good. They have a great variety of sauces. Their sandos are bomb. We don't hate ourselves after we eat there unlike other chicken joints where you can feel the grease coating your insides. Highly recommend! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Carlton R.

1

12

10

5 months ago

Best Korean wings in California for sure. Go eat here, you won't be disappointed. All of the flavors are great. My favorite is the savory red. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Susanne W.

0

5

0

3 months ago

This place sucks. Trash customer service. Trash food. DONT COME HERE. Girl at front desk is rude, sarcastic. The nerve of her to be like that when the food literally sucks. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Brenda M.

1

10

6

5 months ago

We got 10 wings, garlic soy and savory red, and large fries. The fries were super crispy. Both sauce flavors were really good. I have a low spice tolerance and the savory red had a very light kick to it; garlic soy was not spicy. Decent amount of seating inside since it wasn't too busy when we went. The woman taking orders/cashier was a bit unfriendly, but not rude by any means. Overall, would definitely come again! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Makenna S.

0

2

0

3 months ago

Great gluten free options. everything is labeled on the menu and they are super knowledgeable! :)

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Natalia L.

0

8

5

1 year ago

The food is amazing! Chicken is crunchy and perfectly cooked. I got the devil garlic flavor, it has some kick but not too spicy! Definitely will try a spicier flavor next time! read more

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - Devil garlic tender box - Chicken Wings Near Me - La Jolla, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Pedram B.

1

118

132

1 year ago

I'm beyond surprised that this place currently has a rating of 4.5/5. The place was a run down shack run by not the nicest lady who would skimp out on stuff like water and utensils going as far as asking why we needed an extra fork when she saw us accidentally drop one on the floor. The food was also quite overpriced (even by la jolla standards). I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 because the chicken was decent. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

David J.

9

90

2

5 months ago

Great wings. Soy garlic and spicy wings are excellent. Crispy breading and crunchy as hell which I love. Sides are good too.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Abby V.

98

3

2

4 months ago

This place is my hidden gem. Their wing box is a staple in my week and truly has sooo much food for $15!! The rice, amazing. The wings, actually unreal delicious. The fries? Don't even get me started on how much I love these fries. And the cole slaw?! So crunchy. I accidentally walked in here one day 6 months ago on accident and it was the best mistake I have ever made. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Han L.

Elite 25

1075

1803

3292

2 years ago

It was not good today. The chicken quality went down a lot and breading was soggy. sad read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Jorge F.

16

119

27

1 year ago

Chicken was ok, ran out of chicken wings and had to get tenders for part of our order. Dry coleslaw and fries were bland.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Yiyi H.

11

120

321

2 years ago

Came back to try the chicken myself (after only having had the udon last time) and it is honestly horrible. The crust had a strange aftertaste to me and the taste of the fried chicken in general is nothing spectacular. read more

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Phil B.

16

553

39

2 years ago

Excellent fried chicken but drenched with a sauce that overwhelmed the crispy chicken. 3 tenders plus 2 wings plus french fries cost $25 plus tip read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Srey Y.

50

417

505

2 years ago

Ok uncle Calvin's chicken got it going on. A little shabby chicken shop run by a Korean family is exactly the place I expect to find amazing Korean chicken. We ordered the soy garlic chicken to go for a nice Torrey pines view and it was still bomb. Sweet and crunchy and addicting. My Korean family loved it. We will be back for more. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 3

Oh no 0

Nia S.

Elite 23

463

275

779

3 years ago

Really good Korean hot chicken! I've ordered on Uber eats twice and it travels really well. It's arrived crunchy and fresh both times. Devils Garlic: Nice subtle kick, great garlic slightly sweet flavor Satan's Kiss: I love spicy. This one had a nice heat level,definitely tolerable but also taste amazing. Pure Evil: Omg...this one was HOT. I ordered this one to call their bluff but they understood the assignment. The heat was there! Have a few heart burn pills nearby if you're feeling brave. Their amazing Ranch won't help. lol. read more

See all

Helpful 4

Thanks 1

Love this 3

Oh no 0

Carson T.

0

2

1

5 months ago

Great service. Even better food. Everyone was nice and very respectful to guests. Came here on a trip and I'm going everyday

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Page 1 of 9

See more reviews

More info about Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken

3211 Holiday Ct
La Jolla, CA 92037
Directions
(858) 587-9848
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://calvinskhotchicken.square.site

Full menu

Hours

What time does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken open?

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken close?

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken closes at 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken serve alcohol?

Yes, Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken serves alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken allow dogs?

Yes, Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken allows dogs.

Does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken have TVs?

Yes, Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken have outdoor seating?

Yes, Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken has outdoor seating options.

Does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken have parking?

Yes, Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Does Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken have free WiFi?

Yes, Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Easy online ordering available for all pick up orders. Just visit us at Calvinskhotchicken.square.site

More Info

Health Score

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Chicken Wings 10,291 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Explore benefits

Voqozo

4.3(97 reviews)

0.3 mi

Really sad this place is closed…read more Came here for a weekday lunch with some coworkers. The service was decent. Our food came quickly and relatively together. The inside was large but there weren't many customers. There were plenty of seats for us. I got the sizzling steak bowl and really enjoyed it.

Found this place by chance since I was in the area. The service was excellent and they were very…read moreinformative. It was very clean inside and loved the art on the walls. We got soju and the bulgogi rice bowl which had lots of flavor and the pot it comes in keeps it sizzling too. My husband got the udon and he truly enjoyed and we would come again.

Beef Bulgogi Udon

See all

Gen Korean BBQ House

4.0(349 reviews)

1.2 mi•University City

•$$$

Yummm..the food came out promptly and my favorite was the honey soy beef belly! Our server David…read morewas attentive and helpful! Did I mention they also give you FREE ice cream? Definitely will be back!!

David was super helpful would come again! The management also helped out throughout our meal,…read moreeveryone was really friendly.

See all

Kuljem Chicken & Beer

4.6(180 reviews)

1.6 mi•University City

Good thing about this place. Fried chicken was juicy and…read moreflavorful. That honey chicken sauce was real good. Bad part, at least for me. Cole slaw was boring. I mean, that's salad with dressing... And the kimchi pasta. That was crazy heavy. As a guy in mid 40's, I cannot handle that and fried chicken together. The pickled radish was not very crunchy and it was too sweet. Overall, I still give this place 5 stars, but this place was just not a perfect fit with my preference, thats all. Cuz fried chicken was great, and that's the most important obviously.

Their kimchi pasta is what I ordered and I thought it was delicious!…read more Husband got the wings and said they're fine, nothing to rave about but also nothing bad to say. There are better Korean fried chicken wings in the area.

Counter

Kimchi Pasta

See all

Rose Tteokbokki

Buga Korean BBQ

4.3(2.6k reviews)

4.3 mi•Clairemont

•$$$

Buga is my absolute favorite KBBQ spot in SD! They get everything right, from the appetizers to…read morecorn cheese. Me and my friends highly enjoy this place as our go-to spot, the meat quality is great and so is the service. I would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking to get KBBQ.

Buga offers 4 AYCE menu options: A ($45.99), B ($39.99), C ($34.99), and Happy ($27.99). We chose…read morethe A menu because beef tongue is always one of my go-to meats whenever I eat KBBQ. Unfortunately, the beef tongue was the biggest letdown of the night. It was dry and seemed like it wasn't very fresh. However, the ribeye, beef short rib, and rib fingers were all good and ended up being my favorite meats of the evening. The biggest issue was the service. We came on a busy Saturday night, and while I understand weekends get hectic, the service was painfully slow. Our server never seemed to be in much of a rush, even with a packed restaurant. Since you're only allowed to order 4 plates of meat at a time, the long waits between rounds meant we spent more time waiting than eating. We also had to ask twice for a grill change, and it still took a long time before he actually returned with a grill change. By the time our next round of meat arrived, we were already getting full, which really took away from the all-you-can-eat experience. What made this visit even more disappointing is that I've eaten here before, and it used to be one of my favorite KBBQ spots. I celebrated my birthday here last year, and it was hands down one of the best KBBQ meals I've had. This visit just didn't come close to that experience. I'm hoping this was just an off night. I know Buga is capable of much better, but based on this experience, I can only give it 3 stars.

Signature Combo, the best

See all

Pajeon

Haidilao Hotpot

4.7(2.3k reviews)

1.3 mi•University City

•$$$

Kid friendly

Happy hour specials

Very good service the food is really good as well I like the happy birthday surprise sooooo…read moremuchhhhh I love it My service is Auggie

I love coming here! Such a fun environment and yummy food! Also service here is 10/10 if it's your…read morefirst time, they will explain and help you out!

See all

Beef!

Viet Nom

4.6(1.3k reviews)

1.6 mi•University City

Our server James was very nice and attentive. The restaurant itself was very cute with cartoons on…read morethe TV and Polaroids on the wall. We got 2 short rib pho. The meat quality was tasty and the noodles were not overdone. Unfortunately the broth was not our favorite, not as deep or balanced as we would expect. This was the least expensive pho option at $18, which is pretty steep compared to most other pho in San Diego.

Pho is super flavorful and large portions! Service was very fast and attentive. I will definitely…read morebe back!

The environment

Chili tamarind wings (8)

See all

Grilled pork spring rolls

Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill

4.4(359 reviews)

1.2 mi•University City

I came with a party of 7 and it was all of our first time here. We were planning to have some light…read moreappetizers because we also wanted to have a heavy dinner afterwards. We wanted to catch the sunset at La Jolla cove and we noticed there was another Blue ocean there as well... FRIED CALAMARI: 10/10 perfectly crispy, calamari was cooked precisely and flavorful. It was hard to save our stomachs for dinner... SASHIMI SALAD: 10/10 Oh this was the STAR OF THE SHOW! All the fish were hand selected and fresh. What made the dish outstanding was the salad dressing... SURF AND TURF ROLL: 10/10 I mean who a pairing of Steak and shrimp tempura? It's a match made in heaven and was sent straight out of the Blue Ocean Kitchen... SERVICE: Excellent! The chef was also the owner and came out to greet all the customers. He personally made sure that everything was taken care of himself. What a very passionate and caring owner. All the staff there were also very friendly... One of our friends wanted to treat everyone so we joked around and said, "In that case, let's order an omakase box for each of us!" The chef also heard and he joined in on the joke and said are you sure? ok, Omakase boxes for everyone! We had a great time! The Ambiance, the food and the people there are very beautiful and joyous... ABOVE AND BEYOND BLUE OCEAN SUSHI AND GRILL!!!!!

Everything was great! They star some of their favorites on the menu, which I always appreciate and…read moredefinitely went off. We had a large group, so we shared a bunch of rolls and appetizers, which was the perfect way to try different things. Everything we had was really good. The staff was great as well. They didn't seem to have much of a cocktail menu, so we went with a bottle of wine instead. Overall, a great spot for a group and definitely worth checking out!

Red Velvet cake - Holiday Exclusive

See all

ISHIYAKI HOT STONE

Nozomi

3.7(1k reviews)

1.0 mi

This is one of my go-to sushi restaurants. The sushi is fresh, the ingredients are high quality,…read moreand the rolls are always beautifully prepared. Every visit has been consistently good. Whenever I'm in the area, I often order takeout because I know I can count on the quality. Great food, friendly service, and a reliable spot if you're craving sushi. Highly recommended!

Happy hour just rolls different…read more Why choose one when you can have it all? From fresh sushi rolls, hand rolls, and robata skewers to crispy karaage, poke tacos, bulgogi burgers, and Japanese street corn, @nozomilajolla happy hour is packed with delicious bites. Pair it with a Japanese Old Fashioned, Lychee Martini, House Margarita, or an ice-cold Asahi draft and you've got the perfect excuse to gather your foodie crew. Monday-Friday: 3-6 PM Saturday-Sunday: 4-6 PM Who's joining me for happy hour? Kanpai!

Dragon Roll

See all

Nabeyaki udon

BHC Chicken - Sorrento Valley

4.3(201 reviews)

2.4 mi•Sorrento Valley

Comparable to BHC in Korea!…read more Their speciality is the Bburinkle cheese powder which is pretty sweet, so you'll either love it or feel questionable. I got the wings which were HUGE pieces and batter was super crispy. They very generously coat the chicken and cheese ball in the cheese dust. The cheese balls are my favorite menu item, but I would prefer getting it without the powder to taste it on its own!! You must eat it fresh for the best cheese pull. I recommend getting the Bburing yogurt sauce to balance the sweetness from the powder. I went around early evening (~4ish) and place was pretty empty with a few walk ins here and there. Atmosphere was clean and felt sanitary as the workers constantly wiped the tables down around us throughout dining in. The servers were extremely nice, informative when asking questions, and they let us try a small sample of seasoning powder before ordering to see the spice level! Overall, great service and great food! BHC is one of the better Korean fried chicken chains in the states

BHC Chicken in Sorrento Valley is easily some of the best chicken I've ever had. The staff is…read morealways super friendly, and the food has been consistently amazing. I always get the wings, obviously. My favorite flavor is the Bburinkle wings. It's such a unique flavor, super savory, cheesy, and just ridiculously good. I also love the Bburinkle chips. Those things are dangerous. Their Macho King flavor is another favorite of mine when I want something a little different. One warning though: 16 wings is A LOT. These wings are heavy, rich, and decadent, so don't underestimate them. I always think I can crush the whole order and then halfway through I realize I may have made a mistake. Amazing chicken, great flavors, friendly staff, and absolutely worth it.

Inside the new BHC Chicken!

Stir-Spicy Rice Cakes

See all

Hot Fried

Ujin

4.1(160 reviews)

1.6 mi•University City

My new favorite ramen spot of all time and it's not even close. Came here after a friend…read morerecommended and I'm recommending all my friends to go here now too!!! FOOD: 9.8/10 What we ordered: Chicken Karaage | 9.5/10 When you first bite into it, you are met with a mildly sweet soy bbq sauce paired with a crunchy fried exterior, the batter shatters into crumbly bits that add a light crunch. My only note is that it could be crunchier, but idk I'm just a crunch fiend Classic Tokyo Shoyu Ramen | 10/10 Every single bite of this ramen was insanely full of flavor and the texture of each ingredient was perfect. -- Standout ramen ingredients: the Noodles were the perfect level of al dente for me and the deep umami flavor of the broth clung onto the noodles nicely. the Chashu had this sweet char-grilled flavor and my jaw actually dropped after the first bite. The marbling of the fat was a good ratio which made the meat soft and juicy. It melded really well with the broth that was infused with a rich sesame oil aroma. And then every bite after still blew our minds. the Broth had a deep flavor with a sesame aroma that coated the tongue and clung to the noodles. It came with black pepper garnish that added just enough brightness to the soup. I enjoyed how the broth was not too salty yet every sip was so rich. I finished all of the soup down to the last drop! (Picked up the bowl and chugged it ngl)

The area is gorgeous and the service is courteous and amicable the food was good and tasty…read more Ambiance is nice and chic.

Storefront

Karage

See all

Interior decor

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

8 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Calvin L.

Elite 25

24

58

104

3 years ago

My coworkers and I were craving some fried chicken, so we stopped by here on our lunch break and we were so glad we did. We were served quickly and with a smile. They don't have many seats inside, but there are a few tables outside that we sat at to eat. Their chicken is so crispy and tasty, and all at a very fair price. All of us really enjoyed it, and we look forward to returning. Just a heads up for anyone thinking of trying the spiciest sauce - the jump in spice level from Satan's kiss to pure evil is pretty big. Satan's kiss provides a good flavor and kick, whereas pure evil is exactly how it sounds. He warned me when I asked for pure evil, with a look of genuine concern for my well-being. I like to think I'm pretty good with spice so I told him I can handle it. Let me tell you, this one is no joke. You have been warned. read more

Erika V.

2

96

6

2 years ago

I was excited to try the chicken cheese fries, which were described as a combination of waffle fries, vinegar slaw, cheese, secret sauce, and jalapeños. Unfortunately, the dish I received fell short of expectations. The fries were shoestring style, not waffle, and the vinegar slaw was completely absent. Given my love for slaw and the enticing menu description, I was particularly disappointed. It's a good reminder to always verify your order to avoid such mishaps. read more

mal sun i.

0

1

6 years ago

For pick up orders go to their own website not thru yelp. Their site address is calvinskhotchicken.square.site can easily find it on Google. Ordering thru their website the prices are cheaper. read more

Wes J.

0

10

5

3 years ago

JUST DELIGHTFUL! Look at our silly little joyful expressions WE LOVE YOU CALVIN, and all of your flavors read more

Pat R.

0

7

0

5 years ago

Awesome.. that's the whole review.. but Yelp doesn't allow one word reviews, so I'll also add amazing.

John A.

0

75

0

5 years ago

Chicken is delicious, a little more than what I usually pay but worth it. Highly recommend

Ajeuz C.

2

74

17

3 years ago

Chicken is ok but the rice is not cook well.............................................

Nikolav W.

0

3

0

3 years ago

this chicken was amazing definitely will be coming back

Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken - chicken_wings - Updated September 2026

People who viewed Calvin's Korean Hot Chicken also viewed

bb.q Chicken Sorrento Valley

4.2

(329 reviews)

The chicken is so incredibly crispy and juicy. I always get the rose tteokbokki and the chicken…read moretogether. The chicken is always so tender,sweet, and delicious. The staff here are so sweet , attentive, and kind. The vibe here is always chill and friendly. The restaurant itself is clean and tidy. Love going to BBQ chicken whenever I crave fried chicken with korean eats.

This was one of the most disgusting food experiences I've ever had. I ordered Honey Garlic wings…read morethrough DoorDash, and there was a long hair stuck to one of the wings. It made me feel sick immediately. There is no excuse for this level of poor hygiene. If basic food handling standards can't be maintained, customers shouldn't have to take the risk. I threw the rest of the food away and definitely won't be ordering from here again.

Dirty Birds

3.8

(64 reviews)

Went here for lunch on a friend's recommendation. I got 10 wings with a side of dirty ranch…read more The wings were excellent! I could tell they're cooked to order; they're really tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Flavors were really good and not too drenched. I got mango habanero and the Seoul flavor. They were relatively mild, which I was surprised by since mango habanero is usually pretty hot. The dirty ranch is a must! Inside was super casual, you order at a counter and bus your own table. Overall, I highly recommend this place for its wings!

So I can't speak for the entire menu, but I have to shout out the Dirty Chicken Fries Tots --…read morethey're absolutely amazing. I love the whole concept: crispy tots, seasoned chicken, ranch, and all the good stuff loaded together. It's messy, flavorful, and exactly what I crave when I want comfort food. I'd give those fries an easy 8.5/10, and honestly, they're the main reason I keep coming back. Now for the rest of the experience: I first visited Dirty Birds back in 2022 and tried their wings. I think they're often listed as a local favorite, but they just weren't it for me. Maybe it was the flavor I chose or just an off day -- not sure. Unless someone else gets them and I try a bite, I probably wouldn't go for them myself. Customer service was just okay. Not rude, just kind of... meh. The workers were young and It didn't feel like anyone was especially engaged or welcoming. On the bright side, the signs around the place are actually pretty funny (especially the water one), and there's plenty of seating, which is a big plus. One thing I didn't love was the shared restroom setup. Even though the door closes, I personally didn't feel super comfortable using it. If you're into sports, this is probably your vibe -- they had games playing and a group fully tuned in when I was there. Prices are fair, and I'd still be open to exploring more of the menu in the future. Bottom line: If you're gonna try anything here, make it the Dirty Chicken Fries Tots -- they're 100% the star of the show.

Cluck N Sip

4.3

(351 reviews)

•$

For those who said this is better than Jollibee, count your days! Lol JK. But in all seriousness,…read morethe chicken was just ok for me. Got the MWF special, 8 pieces for 15.99. They only had original flavor and it came with 3 small sauces to choose. I opted to get the sweet and spicy, ranch and garlic Parmesan. I also got the biscuits because the foodie vloggers kept raving about it. I didnt eat it at the location. Opted to take out and have rice with it. I dont think my mind would have changed its opinion if i ate it there or at home. It was good, however, i found the chicken to be really oily. The sauces didnt add to it, it would have been fine without it. The honey butter biscuits were just ok for me as well. It's decent, however, i doubt i will be craving this particular chicken spot. This location is inside the 99 ranch off balboa ave, plenty of parking and lots of tables to sit at in the food court. The employee on duty was nice as well.

I went here after work for some chicken and tried both the original and spicy. I must say, I liked…read morethe original better. I got the mixed chicken, which included two wings and a drumstick, along with potato wedges. The prices are reasonable, the service was fast and friendly, and there's plenty of seating in the food court. My only complaint is the size of the wings--they were a little too big for my liking.

Pho La Jolla

3.1

(1.2k reviews)

Needed some noodles and hot soup after my late round at Torrey Pines. Found Pho La Jolla about 10…read moreminutes away south on the 5 freeway. My beef flank and rare steak pho was delicious. The metal bowl was filled to the brim and tasty. A bit disappointed as they did not have the pork egg rolls, just the vegetarian egg rolls. They have a lot of other things on their menu as well. Service was good, waitress was friendly and had the World Cup on (Uzbek vs Colombia). She was like me, a futbol (soccer fan) like me every 4 years, lol. Plenty of parking, tons of table. Pho La Jolla was legit.

Made a takeout order with my roommate who is vegan and her soup was straight up water... My pho had…read moreno flavor whatsoever which is diabolical for a ~$20 pho. Can't speak much on the service but the staff who took our order was chill. The restaurant is located in a mini plaza right next to dominos and has plenty of seats and is open late. I wouldn't recommend this place if you can go elsewhere especially if you want authentic pho.

Shanghai Cafe

3.3

(282 reviews)

•$

First time here. Few doors down from A good snow bubble drink place…read more We enjoyed sharing these with some other items for our last meal in La Jolla for this trip.

I never want to bash a mom and pop shop but this meal was almost inedible. They served half burnt…read moreand half undercooked chow mein that was clumped together. They served large delicious shrimp but all the other ingredients didn't taste good at all. Maybe it was just an off day for the chef. The dining room was small but could fit small to medium parties. Service was friendly. Plenty of parking.

Crispy Chicken n' Tomato Clairemont

4.3

(131 reviews)

Authentic Korean fried chicken and not KFC covered in ketchup like the other places…read more The people who work there are friendly AF too. I dunno why people complain about the bones in the whole fried chicken. Y'all know a whole chicken has bones right? We Koreans like our chickens whole with bones. Hell, I'd eat the feathers too if they served them

Spontaneously Came in here before going down the street to our comedy show…read more We order whole ahh chicken, and got the jalepeno sauce, and that honey butter, side of rice, and pickled ralish. The music was too loud for us to sit inside so we sat outside. Definitely was spacious place. We were the only ones there, and I hope this spots stays open and gets more people because their chicken was ffffflllaaaaaavooorrr. Juicy, crispy, some dry AF but still good. Service was cool, your typical gen alpha cat that was always on his phone either on social media or on discord chatting with his gaming friends but also helpful when he needed to be. Lol We'll come back if we're in the neighborhood!

Cross Street

4.3

(2.5k reviews)

Frank the manager was very helpful in terms of recommending items that I may have been craving…read more I've visited this location frequently and the food has always been on point in terms of quality and value. While I generally always get the Hot Chic sandwhich which is the best chicken sandwich I've ever had, I opened for the chili oil dumplings which was new on the menu. It did not disappoint and left me wanting to eat more. The environment along with their staff is always pleasant and I'm glad it's one of my top places to visit frequently when I'm having a craving for Korean food. The double fried chicken is always crispy and their Wing Wednesday special in which a particular set of wings are $1.00 each is such a great value. It's honestly one of the best values in terms of what you get for quality and bang for your buck. If you haven't given this spot a try please do so, Cross Street has never disappointed me. It's definitely a hidden gem and I solely recommend it.

Was craving for some Korean Fried Chicken and landed here. The food here is so good…read more Ordered the corn cheese (don't miss out), bulgogi fries, and multiple varieties of chicken (they come in orders of 5). There's seating inside and outside. Outside seating is also dog friendly. There's some plaza parking going on so feel free to take your car. Came on a Tuesday during lunch time and was able to get seated right away. This restaurant is great for groups and the service is fast and kind. The pika soju was also a pretty good drink. Tasted like a refreshing lemonade. Forgot it had soju at times.

Eat Crispy Burger La Jolla

4.4

(80 reviews)