By Brett Callwood
Mom’s Touch is a South Korean fried chicken restaurant, that grew to become one of the most popular fast food chains in Asia with over 1,300 locations. In 2021, they opened their first US location, and it was right here in Gardena. Since then, a second has opened in City of Industry.
“Just like Mom wants what’s best for you, so do we. At Mom’s Touch, we have set high standards on quality and service,” Mike Lee, director of marketing and finance at Mom’s Touch, said in a statement at the time. “Rather than taking shortcuts to save a cost and time, we take those extra steps and invest in the best equipment, processes and ingredients, like buttery brioche buns from our exclusive baker, to ensure our guests have the best chicken and sandwich experience possible. We’re looking forward to forging lasting relationships with our new guests while serving the community.”
You might be wondering how good fried chicken can be in a country where we already have the likes of KFC, Church’s and Popeyes, as well as Filipino chain Jollibee, and that’s a fair question. Mom’s Touch has all of the answers.
We went with the classic Mom’s Original Chicken Sandwich, advertised on the menu as the “sandwich that put Mom’s Touch on the map!” That statement is not surprising.
After ordering the sandwich, you’re immediately asked if you want breast or thigh meat – we opted for thigh as we prefer the darker, juicer meat (even if it’s not as healthy). The crispy, breaded chicken is served on a fresh-baked, buttery brioche bun that seems way bouncier than the flat burger buns you’re generally presented with at fast food joints.
The generous portion of meat is topped with their special sauce, plus lettuce, onion and pickles, and the balance of all of those ingredients is perfect. In particular, the tart pickles, seasoned breading and creamy sauce blend beautifully, and the crisp onion and lettuce add a much-needed crunch.
We ordered the combo, which meant that we got fries and a drink with our sandwich. The fries were totally worth the splurge though. Extra crispy, hot and seasoned, they taste like curly fries without being curly.
Some might say that bringing fried chicken to the United States is a bit like taking cars to Detroit. But in this case, the endeavor has proven to be worthwhile.
Mom’s Touchi is located at 1400 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Suite 120, Gardena 90247. Call 310-400-7305 or visit momstouchusa.olo.com.
