Chen Chen's Heat or BHC's Glaze? The Fried Chicken Verdict

Key Takeaways

• Go to Chen Chen's for bold heat, Szechuan-spiced sandwiches, halal chicken, and handy snack-sized options.
• Choose BHC Chicken for South Korea's famous crispy recipes, sweet soy glazes, and their unique cheese-dusted chicken.
• Both spots offer quick counter service inside Wellington Market, making them easy to mix and match for groups.

The great fried chicken debate at Wellington Market

Wellington Market presents a useful fried-chicken choice: Nashville-inspired heat at Chen Chen's or Korean double-fried crunch at BHC. The better order depends on whether spice or texture matters more.

Both counters serve incredibly crispy chicken, but they target completely different cravings. Whether you want a spicy lunch that clears your sinuses or a sweet, glaze-coated dinner, this corner of Front Street West has you covered.

Chen Chen's Nashville Hot Chicken

If you want a lunch with some serious heat, head straight to Chen Chen's Nashville Hot Chicken. The founder combines his Chinese heritage and passion for Nashville hot chicken to create a menu you won't find anywhere else in the city.

The Szechuan Hot Chicken Sando ($13.50) is a great example, blending a classic Southern crunch with the numbing spice of Szechuan peppercorns. If you want a quick bite that won't put you to sleep at your desk, they have handy snack-sized options like the Lil Nashville Hot Chicken Sando for $7.00. Customers love that the spice levels are easy to customize, so you can find your right level of heat.

BHC Chicken Toronto

On the other hand, if you are looking for a satisfying, sweet, and savory dinner, BHC Chicken Toronto is the move. As South Korea's massive fried chicken franchise, their location at The Well brings over their famous, trademarked recipes.

Their signature dish is the Bburinkle Chicken, which features crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet and savory cheese seasoning. If you prefer a wet glaze, the Matcho-King uses aged soy sauce to create a rich, savory coating. For a honey-garlic mix, the Gold-King glaze is another great option.

How to tackle the market with a group

Navigating Wellington Market is incredibly easy once you get the lay of the land. Both of these spots operate as quick counter-service joints, meaning you order at the register and grab a seat in the shared dining area.

This setup works really well if you are eating with a group of friends who cannot agree on what to get. One of you can grab a fiery Szechuan sandwich from Chen Chen's, while another gets a plate of cheese-dusted wings from BHC. You can easily sit together, share a few sides, and try a bit of everything.