If you have ever eaten at Bonchon and wondered what the name means, here is the answer. The word has a simple meaning that connects directly to the restaurant’s Korean roots.
What Does Bonchon Mean in Korean?
Bonchon (본촌) means ‘my hometown’ in Korean. In Hanja (Chinese characters used in Korean writing), it is written as 本村. The word 본 (bon) means ‘origin’ or ‘root,’ and 촌 (chon) means ‘village’ or ‘town.’ Together, they describe the place where you come from.
The name was chosen to represent the restaurant’s commitment to authentic Korean flavors and traditional cooking methods. It signals that the food is rooted in real Korean cooking, not a westernized version.
Sources: Bonchon Our Story | Bonchon on Wikipedia
How Do You Pronounce Bonchon?
The correct pronunciation is BOHN-chon. The first syllable rhymes with ‘bone’ and the second sounds like ‘chon’ as in ‘John.’ Many people in the USA say ‘BON-shon’ or ‘BON-kon’ both are understandable but not the exact Korean pronunciation.
Why Is the Restaurant Called Bonchon?
Bonchon was founded in 2002 by Jinduk Seh in Busan, South Korea. Busan is the second-largest city in South Korea, known for its food culture and coastal location.
The founder named the restaurant Bonchon to express the idea of bringing the taste of home to customers. The goal was to serve Korean fried chicken the way it would be made in a Korean home or neighborhood kitchen not modified to suit a foreign market.
When Bonchon expanded to the United States in 2006, it kept its original name. The brand has since grown to over 340 locations in nine countries, but the name still carries the same meaning.
Is Bonchon Korean or Thai?
Bonchon is 100% Korean. It was founded in South Korea and its menu is based on Korean cuisine. Some people confuse it with Thai food because Korean and Thai chicken dishes can look similar from the outside, but the cooking style, sauces, and flavors are completely different.
Korean fried chicken is known for its thin, crispy coating and savory-sweet glazes. Thai fried chicken typically uses different spices and herbs. Bonchon’s double-frying technique is specifically a Korean cooking method.
What Is the Difference Between Bonchon and Banchan?
These two words sound similar but mean very different things. Bonchon (본촌) means ‘my hometown’ as explained above. Banchan (반찬) means ‘side dishes’ in Korean the small plates of food served alongside a main meal in Korean dining culture.
When Did Bonchon Start?
Bonchon was founded in 2002 in Busan, South Korea. It came to the United States in 2006, opening its first American location in New York. By 2024, it had grown to 139 US locations and more than 340 worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bonchon mean?
Bonchon (본촌) means ‘my hometown’ in Korean. It is written as 本村 in Hanja, combining ‘origin’ and ‘village’ to mean the place where you come from.
How do you pronounce Bonchon correctly?
The correct pronunciation is BOHN-chon. The first syllable rhymes with ‘bone’ and the second sounds like ‘chon.’
What does Bonchon mean in English?
In English, Bonchon translates to ‘my hometown’ or ‘native village.’ The name was chosen to represent the restaurant’s roots in authentic Korean cooking.
Is Bonchon Korean or Thai?
Bonchon is Korean. It was founded in Busan, South Korea in 2002. The menu, cooking methods, and sauces are all based on Korean food traditions.
What is the difference between Bonchon and banchan?
Bonchon (본촌) means ‘my hometown’ and is the name of the restaurant. Banchan (반찬) means ‘side dishes’ in Korean. They sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Where did Bonchon originate?
Bonchon originated in Busan, South Korea in 2002. It expanded to the United States in 2006 and now operates in more than nine countries.