May 29, 2019, 2:36pm CDT

Yumi Matsuo "Bonchon" means "my hometown" in Korean Fans of Korean fried chicken are getting more options around town, with new entries moving into the Mall of America and along Grand Avenue in St. Paul Bonchon will open a new location — its second so far, though there's a third on the way — at the Mall of America in late 2019. Bonchon is replacing Pita Pit in the South Food Court on Level 3. The restaurant fries the chicken twice in Korean style, making it crispier than traditional American fried chicken. While known for its chicken, Bonchon also offers Asian-fusion cuisine, more traditional Korean dishes, as well as sliders and Korean tacos. Bonchon, which got its start in Busan, South Korea in 2002, entered the Twin Cities market with a spot at 1414 W. Lake St. in Uptown last year. Its local franchisee is Sam Zheng (who also owns Lakes Buffet in Richfield). The chain has at least 90 locations in the United States. A Bonchon location in Dinkytown will open where Vescio's Italian Restaurant operated for 60 years before closing last February, at 406 14th Ave. SE. The Business Journal reported last year that this location was set to open in summer of 2018, but it is now scheduled for late 2019. Meanwhile, Twin Cities Eater reports that Bap and Chicken is opening a Korean-style chicken restaurant of its own at 1328 Grand Ave., the