[In-Depth Look] Crispy as Delivery Chicken, This Is Exactly ‘Yasigiya (夜)’

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] As winter arrives and the nights grow noticeably longer, spending most of the time at home inevitably brings the temptation of late-night snacks. The first menu that comes to mind is crispy and savory chicken. However, going out to eat feels somewhat uneasy, and ordering delivery usually means waiting at least an hour. At that moment, I remembered the frozen chicken I bought at the supermarket a few days ago.

It was the “Whole Chicken” from “Yasigiya (夜),” a new brand launched by Daesang Cheongjeongwon, which has been leading the home meal replacement (HMR) market with its “Anjuya (夜)” line of side dish HMR products. Among the shelves overflowing with new products, the flashy packaging reminiscent of a neon sign caught my eye. The product description stating it was co-developed with six chicken experts called “Chimeullie” also piqued my curiosity.

The new “Yasigiya (夜)” products were released in four varieties: “Cheese Seasoning Chicken,” “Chicken with Lots of Chili Peppers,” “Crispy Fried Chicken,” and “Spicy Chicken.” The “Cheese Seasoning Chicken” and “Chicken with Lots of Chili Peppers” were made with chicken breast, while the “Crispy Fried Chicken” and “Spicy Chicken” used chicken thigh meat. Since I usually prefer soft and mild chicken breast, I chose the “Cheese Seasoning Chicken” and “Chicken with Lots of Chili Peppers.”

The cooking process was simple. It could be easily prepared using an air fryer or frying pan. I chose the air fryer for its convenience and oil-free cooking. Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius, place the frozen product inside, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Each time I flipped the chicken, a savory aroma wafted through the air. Cooking it without paper foil, as instructed on the back of the package, allowed the oil to drain out and enhanced the crispiness. Cheongjeongwon explained that to achieve optimal crispiness, they applied an air fryer crispy booster material to the batter.

I decided to try the golden-brown “Cheese Seasoning Chicken” first. Sprinkling the included cheese yogurt seasoning made it look even more appetizing. The juicy chicken, crispy batter, and sweet and salty seasoning developed using Cheongjeongwon’s seasoning technology harmonized perfectly. The addictive taste created by the perfect “sweet and salty” combination kept making me reach for more. Next was the spicy flavor. I took a bite of the “Chicken with Lots of Chili Peppers.” True to its name, it contained plenty of Cheongyang chili peppers, delivering a sharp yet clean spiciness. It was moderately seasoned, making it suitable as a side dish for rice or a snack with alcohol, and it seemed delicious with various sauces depending on personal preference.

Both products used tender domestic whole chicken meat that was fried once and then baked in the oven, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist interior. Alternating between the two chickens with different charms kept the taste fresh and enjoyable until the last bite. Above all, the clean cleanup and no long wait time were satisfying. The portion size was suitable for one to two people, and the affordable price also contributed to the willingness to repurchase. With chicken like this, I think I will often reach for it whenever I crave a late-night snack to soothe my hunger during the long night.