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

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

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

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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

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

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$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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Korean fried chicken is the best. and this spot does it well i think it's underrated because it's a little hidden away but go hereee read more

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

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

Gluten free fried chicken! Crispy, saucy, delicious! Best fried chicken I have ever had for sure. Eating it right away is the best way to enjoy, stays very crispy. This spot is an absolute treasure. read more

Ever since I found this place, and whenever I'm in the area - I always try to stop by and get some gluten free fried chicken to go. It's so crunchy and flavorful. The plain/original one is flavorful - not like some other gluten free fried chicken places who offer gf but not with other sauces but meanwhile their original gf chicken does not have flavor. But it's not the case with Calvin's... Their OG is divine... I usually get the plain and garlicky soy flavor. The garlicky soy is not overly sweet and still crunchy and not spicy at all. You can heat it up in toaster oven or air fryer. The crunch will still be there. I recently tried their gluten free Tteokbokki. Oh wow...it just tastes like the regular one. It has some crispiness on the outside of the rice cake combined with the perfect softness. I tried it with medium spiciness level and wow I do eat spicy but I will order it milder level next time. But it's so good and spicy. It has some sliced cabbage mixed with the sauce on top of the rice cake. They have parking in the lot where they're located. There are tables outside and inside. read more

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

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