Out to eat in Sioux Falls: Oppa Chicken more than satisfies

A short drive from campus, located near the Western Mall across from Scheels, is Oppa Chicken. Among numerous other restaurant options, Oppa Chicken sets itself apart due to the unique origin of the food it serves. The Korean dishes, the service, the atmosphere and the experience were all delightful parts of my time there.

Throughout my time at Oppa Chicken, the staff was kind and attentive to the needs of every customer. The staff communicated with me, asking me how my food was, making sure that all my needs were met and letting me know where to find silverware and to-go containers — which were very much needed — along with free water cups for the fountain soda machine.

The restaurant was vibrant, open and clean which made the meal even more enjoyable. The sitting area featured both booths and tables, and I was able to pick where I sat. The seats were cushiony and a neutral non-distracting red – this was just right.

When I first walked in, the restaurant seemed quiet, and only a few customers were seated and eating. Glancing over the menu, the entrees seemed a little pricey, with most costing $12-30. The exception to this was the appetizers, which fall around $6-13. 

When choosing what to eat, a wide-variety of entrees lay in front of me: bibimbap, japchae, bulgogi and tteok-bokki, to name a few. I finally decided on a small order of honey-garlic boneless wings that came with a side of pickled radish. 

After ordering at the register, I took a seat in a booth, facing the open restaurant. The chicken came to my table quickly – around a seven-minute wait. Coated in a thick and sticky sauce, the chicken had well-baked skin. The eight boneless chicken wings and side are $11.95. 

When it arrived, the chicken was perfectly flaky and held heat for the entire meal. Even when I was done eating, the chicken was still warm with a crackly texture. The pickled radish had a strong and pleasant flavor that helped cut through the thick sauce.

Another positive of this visit was that I had plenty of leftovers to last me another meal. While the prices might be somewhat expensive, you get an almost two-for-one meal deal.

By the end of the meal, I was full and satisfied. Oppa Chicken delivered great and attentive customer service, a welcoming atmosphere, comfortable seating and delicious food.