I decided to check out some spots in my hometown that I haven't tried before, so we came to Volcano Island on a Friday afternoon. There's a pretty sizeable parking lot since it is a shopping center, so we were able to park out front. The place is pretty small inside. They have the counter and a table that has the menus in it and that is it. We went in and ordered a bibimbap, a bulgogi plate, and Korean spicy wings. That had some tables outside so we sat there to wait. When our food was ready the employee brought it out. It was delicious! I will be returning. The wings were crispy but not greasy. They were super flavorful (though I would not say they were spicy). This bibimbap was my favorite that I've tried in Hayward and Castro Valley. I liked that it had more veggies and meat than it did rice. I really feel like I got my money's worth. I also loved that it was a combination of different temperatures between the cold veggies, the warm rice, and hot meat. (A lot of other spots just have everything room temperature-ish). Overall, I think Volcano Island is a hidden gem and worth a try. read more

Wings had great flavor. The only issue with them is that they box it up for you, so the wings steam themselves and soften the crust. I'd highly recommend they use boxes with holes or gaps to minimize steaming. The packaging definitely needs some work given that they don't have indoor seating. Kimbap was pretty good. The salad and japchae were okay. The japchae seemed to lack some flavor and the beef was a bit dry. Would come back just for the wings and kimbap. Skip the combo. It just comes with salad and white rice. read more

The food is amazing and the service matches! Run by a mother-son duo, the fried chicken is crispy and well seasoned and their Korean donut is definitely worth coming back for! read more

This place has always been my favorite in Hayward and even with new management, it still doesn't fail to hit my cravings every single time. I will miss you when I move, Volcano Island!! read more

Amazing food and service is quick. Best Korean fried chicken around!! Their kimbap is a MUST!!!!

There chicken wings were really good! It is a mother and son business. They were both friendly and appreciative. It is a small space so there is no indoor dining. There are 3 tables outside that you can eat at. read more

Everything about this place is amazing every time I come the food is always perfect! The workers are kind and friendly read more

Volcano Island - Spicy Korean Fried Wings 8pcs Sweet Potato Fries Cabbage Salad - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

Wow wow wow!!!!!! My first time here, and I really loved the Korean fried chicken. Their soy garlic is now my new go to; I don't think I can go anywhere else!! It's soooo incredibly crispy and has a unique deep umami flavor.. I can't quite pinpoint it but it's definitely different than your usual spots. The bulgogi kimbap is solid and filling. I would definitely order this again. I will try their jap chae next time, which looks promising as well. I'm glad to see this mom and pop shop thriving and busy (: I will definitely return for their kimbap and their soy garlic chicken, and to try their other dishes!! read more

Volcano Island - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

Stopped by here while waiting for my clothes to dry at the laundromat. I got wings and gyoza and wings were really good and the gyoza as well was amazing. On top of that the customer service was great. read more

First time ordering to go at this place after trying their chicken at a work potluck over a year ago that really blew my mind. The service was really friendly, the guy at the register even brought my order out to my car when I was waiting. Ate the chicken about 25mins later and it was still crispy and warm. There's only 3 flavors to choose from, I got original and soy garlic. I would go back to try the spicy. The pieces weren't small either, very decently sized. Also got the tteobokki which I thought was good but the chicken is definitely the highlight. Great grab and go, no dine in. Definitely would recommend this place for Korean fried chicken craving! read more

This review is for pickup. Whenever I'm craving Korean fried chicken and Japchae, I always go to this spot because it's very close to my home. My aunt was in town so I thought this was a good spot for her try. I called to place the order and the gentleman told me that it would be ready for pick up in 15 min. I ordered the 16 piece fried chicken - half soy garlic and half Korean spicy, Japchea and Kimbap. I love the crispiness of the chicken on the outside and tender meat on the inside. The glass noodles of the Japchea was chewy and the overall dish was flavorful. I always wished that the Kimbap would come with some kind of dipping sauce to make it less dry, but it was still really good. read more

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Food is delicious. Fast service. This is a hole in the wall type of place. Their wings are delicious whether it is soy garlic or spicy flavor. 1000/10!! read more

The original fried chicken is my favorite! The spicy one (not really spicy) or the soy garlic is my second favorite. It's still reasonably priced imo. The kimbab is always really fresh! The seafood tofu soup is hit and miss. It's not super expensive like most places and it does the job of a tofu soup. I eat here at least 2-3x a month. read more

Wow. I'm in the area visiting family and found myself stuck on the freeway on my way back from Berkeley. I looked for somewhere to eat and found this absolute gem. I had Mama's Japchae. It was incredible--so much flavor. I can't rave about my meal enough. You just need to come try it yourself. Excellent, small, and family-owned restaurant. read more

Love this place - flavors, texture, portion size are all great! location is a bit tricky since they are at the corner of a tiny run-down plaza but would definitely recommend if you are in the area read more

A hidden gem on the Westside! Ayeee!!! Love hittin' those hole in a wall spots for some comfort Korean Food?! - specifically speakin' - Korean Fried Chicken aka the 'other' KFC?! This small & humble abode of a mpm & pop hole-in-a-wall establishment boasts a plethora of goodness gracious Korean cuisine, with their best-seller - Korean Fried Chicken! Tucked away in a secluded neighborhood in West Hayward, away from the hustle & bustle of Hesperian Boulevard near the former Kaiser Permanente Hayward complex - located in a strip-mall that you would be surprised that such a thing exists in this quiet neighborhood, is a tiny fried chicken shop that seems to have been tailor-made for the takeout times we currently find ourselves in. Don't let the area fool you, as this is truly a destination for foodies like myself who live & work in the immediate region of the heart of the East Bay! I find myself not coming here enough, and I feel that I ought to - especially for lunch! I have to give them credit, since this is some of the best, crispiest, and tastiest Korean fried chicken that's NOT part of a chain (ahem, ya'll know the one that starts with a "B") - haha! And I must give them the kudos for being able to provide boneless pieces, which I'm quite guilty of - as my preferred option. No hate on the bone-in lovers, I just prefer my chicken to be boneless! :) - one signature stand-out is that they double-fry their chicken, and then hand-brushed with their signature sauces! Mouth-watering, right?! Not only they offer chicken, but a small yet diverse menu items - such as a sublime fried crab dish & hotteok, which are famous Korean fried donuts that they make fresh out of the fryer! In addition, some other items that I've tried were their: Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and Kimbap (rice rolls wrapped with seaweed) - complements well with their fried chicken! Highly recommended ya'll check this place out, and not sleep on it! You'll find yourselves for a real treat at a deal you cannot miss out on! Easy access from the freeways, with ample parking! read more

Definitely one of the top places to eat in Hayward. Their chicken is larger and juicier than what you'd find elsewhere which is one of the main reasons I choose Volcano Island when I have a chicken craving. I've tried their soy garlic and spicy. I prefer the spicy. I normally eat spicy food, and it isn't that spicy but it does have a nice flavor punch. My bf who doesn't usually eat spicy, says it's spicy for him though so watch out you nonspicy eaters haha. Hopefully they add more flavors! :) Ooh they normally do two flavors for 16 pieces, but they did two flavors for my 8 pieces unexpectedly ^_^ Possibly because I ordered a bunch of other items or because they're super nice. Recently I've gotten around to trying their Volcano Mash (caveman style). It's kind of like sushi bake except instead of rice, it's tater tots. Kinda iffy about this one because it was a little salty and it is pricey on doordash, but I love cheese so much it's fine. Haha. Their french fries are $5 on doordash and $4 in person. The french fries are regular fries. Nothing fancy to be expected. I'm glad they put a lot of fries at least. When they deliver, they keep the french fries box open so the fries don't get soggy. I liked the Jala Grenade. I felt like I got to eat sushi alongside fried chicken. It was great:) You also can't go wrong with ddukbokki. Tried the Korean Donut. It was kind of like hotteok. I wish it was more airy, but it was tasty nonetheless for $2.50. They have a ton of menu items on doordash. Kind of wish it was cheaper, but hey it's decently priced. If only they sold beer.... Haha:) read more

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Such a great hidden gem/ hole-in-the-wall Korean spot for quick takeout. Nestled in the randomest little strip mall near a Tennyson residential area, Volcano Island is in the most left corner. This place is tiny. Only seating available is outside. I like to call in my order for pickup & it usually takes 15 min until it's ready. Flavors are really good & owners are friendly, which make it easy to support a local small businesses like this. My go-to: * spicy Korean 8 wing combo (included cabbage, rice, pickled daikon) * kimbap Give VI a try next time you're craving Korean wings! read more

Hidden gem in Hayward. It's tuck in the residential area, and you would never know there's a small plaza in Oliver street. We always get their chicken, love the island crab, and spicy pork are our go to. We just got TO GO to eat their yummy chicken while watching the big football game for tonight read more

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Really nice owners. Super helpful when ordering. Fried chicken was hot, fresh, crunchy and delicious. Banshan amazing. Bimbop was freshly made and cut. Will definitely be back ro try more. read more

Perfectly seasoned kimbap here is a thing of beauty. In the same blink-and-you'll-miss-it strip mall as Lai Young and Mis Tamales, Volcano Island (as well as these other establishments) is well worth a visit on a regular basis. I always stop in when I do my Costco run. read more

Volcano Island - Kimbap - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

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First time here and had the hankering for some Korean! This place was awesome food comes out quick and great quality! Dukbokki - great amount of spice and flavor! Kimbap - well made and tasty, I dipped some in the bokki sauce haha KFW - excellent, great flavor and good portions on everything Will be a repeat customer and highly recommend! read more

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We're hungry, we're in Hayward, barely South of Highway 92 that leads to/from the San Mateo Bridge and just received our annual flu shots. We both have sore arms, or at least I pretend to In order to make my wifey feel better. Honestly, I didn't feel it. Wifey says let's get food for dinner cause our arms are sore and I agreed, finding - Volcano Island on Yelp. Almost perfect rating for take-out specializing in Korean Fried Chicken (KFC). If you've never had KFC before, you're missing out on crispy FC mixed with a sauce (Soy Garlic or Spicy). Many KFC chains nearby but we opted for this hole-in-a-wall in a small strip mall in a residential neighborhood. Yep, weird location, but this small strip mall has three great take out places - a tamale place and a Chinese dumpling place (cook at home). This neighborhood has it made.... Options are small or large, Soy & Garlic or Spicy, accompanied by shredded cabbage salad, rice, and pickled daikon. They allow you to go half and half if you buy the large. Food is boxed up but not enclosed so that the KFC doesn't get soggy. We drove off with our uncovered food since everything is takeout nowadays under C19, should have named it "eat in car" as we couldn't wait until we were home and started chow down on the car. Chicken is crispy and hot, with both Spicy and Soy Garlic having a sweet base. They give you napkins and you'll need it if you eat in the car. Very tasty and can standup to the famous chain KFC that's not the Colonel. The place also has Japchae, And other Korean mainstays...worth going to if you're on Highway 92 in the Eastbay. Oh yeah... my arm is really sore.... nah.... read more

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A great lunch or dinner spot in an unassuming shopping plaza. It's a to-go spot as there is no indoor seating. The food is always made to order, so we've had to wait for a few minutes for them to fulfill the order (no more than 10 minutes). The food is so good and the prices are reasonable. read more

Volcano Island - Soy Garlic Chicken Wings, Bibimbap, Kimbap, coleslaw, pickled radishes - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

Volcano Island is my go-to spot to fulfill my random cravings for Korean take-out. I usually order online through their website and pick up the order, but you can also call or place an order in person. They have a good and simple variety of dishes to choose from their menu, and each item I've tried so far were authentically flavorful. So far, I've tried: Gyoza Sweet Potato Fries Shrimp Dumplings Soy Garlic Wings (Bone in and boneless) Spicy Wings (Bone in and boneless) Bibimbap Bul Go Gi Just Meat There is only a small area for outdoor seating and small space indoors. If you place the order in person, it is best to either hang out in your car or come back for as long as they suggest. For me, it usually takes 20-30 minutes after ordering, but it really all depends on how busy they are and how much you order. I have never been disappointed with their quality of service and food. I can easily say they are one of Hayward's hidden gems. read more

Amazing food and really good customer service really would recommend coming here. Price was good for what you got, and the spicy beef had immaculate flavor. As well as the chicken had a very good crisp. Love this place and I will be coming here again. read more

amazing chicken beautiful people. I ordered a 4pc chicken and their amazing chefs gave me 5 pcs bless their soul. The chicken was crisp and the sauce was just too good. The kimbap paired so well with it and I love that they give you the end pieces me person I would have eaten them end pieces if I was a chef but they are so generous. When we sat down they gave us two milkis on the house bless this business bless them god bless the food is fire and they are super duper kind may their business prosper and may they get anything they want in life because this experience was mind blowing get the soy garlic and dip the kimbap in the sauce THANK ME later for that hack love you volcano island chicken read more

Volcano Island - chicken and Kimbap - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

This local business offers a wondrous bang for your buck! My coworker and I came here for lunch and we tried their Korean spicy chicken and the Island Crab. The meals were tasty and doesn't leave a heavy feeling like most fried foods. The Island Crab is a fantastic appetizer! The individual pieces are HUGE! After trying it, I definitely would want to have this dish again. The chicken was good too -- the way it was fried was light but still crunchy (it made me feel less guilty of eating so much (the portions are huge for this too). I would say the flavor is just right for those who don't have a high tolerance for spicy foods, but still want to enjoy them! I personally like my foods REALLY REALLY SPICY, so it didn't quite meet my expectations on that level, but I would still eat it again! When I went, the shop had just started for the day. The space is cozy enough to make orders, but my coworker and I waited outside in case other folks came to order. Staff here are nice and communicate well (they let us know how long the wait would be and updated us). I'm happy we came across this little place, and also happy to support it! read more

Volcano Island - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

Volcano Island is wonderful. It is under new ownership, which has been for a year now. They expanded on new options to try. I love the boneless chicken, the flavors are delicious. I also love their soups, I had both the beef and dumpling ones, tastes just like homemade. The Kimichi is so good and flavorful. They are also very nice and take care of you. read more

This place is run by the sweetest Korean family ever and Im so glad they made it through the pandemic. I never had a single problem out of the years Ive been here and the service has always been nothing but pleasant. My family and I normally get the original and soy garlic along with some kimbap. The chicken is always piping hot and absolutely crispy. If you want a taste of authentic Korean friend chicken, definitely give Volcano Island a chance, you won't be disappointed. read more

I've been craving kimbap for ages ever since Roll House in Santa Clara (hopefully temporarily) closed due to Covid. It's no fried shrimp tempura roll, but Volcano Island's homestyle spam & egg kimbap hits the spot! Keep in mind they're closed Sundays. Gotta DoorDash by Saturday! The fam and I recently tried japchae from #1 Korean BBQ & Tofu in Newark which has a lot of veggies and beef bulgogi, even more add ins than noodles. We prefer more of the glassy carb, reminiscent of the closed Sorabol formerly located at Newpark Mall. VI has more noodles-- bring it on! I'm so glad I got an order of gyoza: korean mandoo style with thin clear noodles inside! Comfort food at its best. If only they had dumpling and rice cake soup with beef. I also added on mildly spicy ddukbokki just for the heck of it. Comes with lots of cabbage and thinly sliced fishcake triangles, plenty of rice cake cylinders. When I order again, I'll get four kimbap, two japchae, and one gyoza. Can't wait! read more

Volcano Island - Kimbap, gyoza, jap chae, and mild ddukbokki - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

Really good food! I got the MaMa's Signature Wings and the Korean Donut. Really great service and can't wait to go back.

One of my favorite local restaurants in the East Bay. Volcano Island is a hidden gem for Korean fried chicken. Crispy but still juicy, the fried chicken here will always be my go to. The price and quality of the food is outstanding compared to other more well known Korean fried chicken restaurants like Bonchon. Highly recommend their boneless fried chicken with the soy garlic sauce. The store is small and there is limited outdoor seating, so getting takeout is recommended. I would advise calling the order in beforehand as it takes around ~15-20 minutes for the food to be prepared. All in all if you're in the area craving Korean fried chicken you cannot go wrong with Volcano Island. read more

Volcano Island - Boneless Fried Chicken 2lbs - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

Chicken wings ! Awesome korean wings and thats all we order here and they are on point ! Photos do not do justice on their food. You have to try it !!! Deliciously addicting chicken wings. read more

Volcano Island has had consistently good reviews, and we were in the mood for Korean fried chicken. We usually go with Vons, but wanted to try something else in the area. We ordered the ddukkbokki, soy garlic wings, soft tofu soup, and kimbap. Everything was freshly prepared and hot upon arrival. Ordering online was easy through the Grubhub platform, and the restaurant is located in a strip mall that I was completely unaware even existed. It's family run, and there are a few tables outside to wait or eat. Definitely returning! read more

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Good Korean fried chicken at an affordable price. They do take out only. The flavoring is good but not amazing. This is my go to place since it is closer to home. read more

Ordered the large wings (16 pc), half Korean spicy and half soy garlic. Flavor was really good. Wish the wings were crispy though. The Wings were a good size too. Also ordered a side of cabbage salad since I didn't get the combo because I didn't want the rice, the cabbage salad was drowned dressing. I would suggest asking for the dressing on the side. But the dressing tasted like Mayo with a bit of either sriracha or ketchup. Wasn't anything to rave about. I also ordered a side of their fries and it was really good. read more

Volcano Island - Large Korean Fried Wings 16pcs (half soy garlic, half Korean spicy) - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

We tried KFC wings in both garlic soy and Korean spicy. Half the family likes garlic soy and the others like Korean spicy. Both delicious. To my surprise the wings were meaty. Highly recommend this place! read more

Volcano island, you sound like a reality show But there's nothing funny about the taste bro The chicken is crunchy in a good way The flavors popping, each and every day The fries aren't bad but the chicken is where it's at Definitely a place where I'm gonna come back This hole in the wall is nice. Their chicken has various flavors and all of them are so good. The soy sauce flavor and "spicy Korean" were both really good. Fantastic place. read more

Volcano Island - Love the mom and pop shop vibe. - Chicken Wings Near Me - Hayward, California

As a Korean, I am super impressed by the quality of the food here. The food is always so fresh and the prices are not overpriced like many other Korean restaurants. We always get the bibimpap, kimpab, & got the fried chicken which was super crispy and fresh, Considered a "hole in the wall" gem for authentic Korean eats. A family fave and definitely a must try! read more