Thunderbird Korean Fried Chicken on Cook st

253 Cook St, Victoria, BC V8V 3X4, Canada
+1 250-384-6090
$$$ Korean restaurant , Fried chicken takeaway
(598 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Thunderbird Korean Fried Chicken on Cook Street offers a casual yet thoughtfully curated spot for anyone chasing crispy, flavorful Korean-style fried chicken in Victoria. This place feels like a local hub for quick takeout or a relaxed sit-down if you’re in the mood for comfort food with a Korean twist.

The atmosphere blends cozy with modern touches—a low-key setting where you can enjoy a meal without pretense. It’s not a sprawling dining room but feels welcoming, with friendly staff ready to guide newcomers through their menu highlights.

The star here is clearly the fried chicken, offered in a range of flavors from classic crispy to sweet-savory options like Honey Gold. Expect a crunchy crust that manages to stay light rather than greasy, paired with juicy, tender meat inside. For those who want a bit more variety, dishes like the Chicken Katsu Curry or Thunder Rice combine rice, egg, and Korean-inspired sauces for a more filling meal. The house-made sides—ranging from tangy kimchi to fresh apple slaw—add balance and freshness to the heavier fried items.

It’s a place that suits those craving a taste-driven lunch or dinner without fuss, particularly locals who appreciate a quick and satisfying bite paired with a cold local draft beer. The casual vibe means it works well for casual hangouts, solo meals, or grabbing some food to enjoy at nearby parks or home.

Thunderbird also experiments with fun menu items like the Crowaffle—a waffle featuring Korean fried chicken—and Korean-style bao buns, which add variety beyond straightforward fried chicken. This shows a playful approach to Korean comfort food while keeping quality consistent.

Visiting earlier in the evening during the week is a good bet to avoid the brief rushes at peak meal times, especially weekends when the place draws a crowd of Korean food enthusiasts and fried chicken fans alike.

In summary, Thunderbird Korean Fried Chicken feels like a neighborhood spot where quality fried chicken is taken seriously and served in a relaxed setting, great for anyone looking to dive into Korean flavors without the formality of a sit-down restaurant.

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

598 Reviews
Hailey Ruzgys

23 Dec 2025

If you’re looking for the best fried chicken in victoria look no further!!! The snowcheese may be the best flavoured chicken I’ve ever had and the atmosphere of the restaurant matches the quality!!

Eric Yuan

02 Dec 2025

We had original fried chicken, snow cheese fried chicken, cro-waffle, apple slaw, popcorn chicken poutine. The kitchen offered complimentary cheese balls as well. Food was mostly pretty good. The original chicken was the favourite. Super crispy with a good amount of flavour. I also liked the cro-waffle. The dish our table disliked the most would be the snow cheese fried chicken. It was just too salty. It seems that they just take finished original fried chicken and sprinkle additional flavouring. That powder just sits on the crust unabsorbed. So when you eat it, your tongue pretty much absorbs all that powder first. The poutine was good. Though next time, I would order popcorn chicken separately as the sauce ruins the crispiness. The kids finished the cheeseballs so they must’ve been pretty good.

zgkdl zz

09 Nov 2025

The chicken here is absolutely delicious, especially the Honey Gold flavor—it’s sweet, savory, and perfectly crispy. On top of that, the staff are very friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend this place if you’re craving tasty chicken and great service!

Harsimran Rathore

07 Nov 2025

A hidden gem for Korean cuisine! The fries were fresh and flavorful, and the chicken was perfectly breaded and fried(not oily at all). The staff was attentive, and the ambiance was cozy yet modern. Don’t miss the Cro-Waffle Ice cream—it’s the best I’ve had. A must-visit for authentic Korean food lovers!

박소정

26 Oct 2025

The best chicken I’ve had in Victoria! Crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. The staff were friendly and welcoming. I’ll definitely be back!

Caitlyn Hebert

17 Oct 2025

Delicious for years! We’re finally writing a review after six years of enjoying ThunderBird chicken. Definitely the best in the city based on our thorough judging. We always do takeout so I have no idea how it is inside aside for paying at the counter, it looks cute and the patio is dog friendly! food is incredible. The portions are fantastic and the pricing is more than competitive. Yay good food!

Dibya Shrestha

09 Oct 2025

Fried chicken was crispy and tasty. Salt portion was less (loved it), shitaki bao was delicious and service was great. Also loved their holiday decor.

Eunyoung Lee

20 Sep 2025

We ordered the Snow Chicken for the kids, and they absolutely loved it! It had a sweet, nutty flavor that reminded us of Injeolmi—so delicious. The half-and-half option was great since we got to try two different kinds of chicken. The adults went for the Pa-dak (green onion chicken), and the sharp, tangy kick was just perfect. They were also very generous with the green onions, which we really appreciated. The chicken had no unpleasant smell at all—just fresh and tasty. It was a perfect dinner! We also loved that the menu offers more than just chicken, like burgers and fried rice—lots of variety! It was so delicious, we completely forgot to take any photos! The best chicken restaurant! My daughter said, lol

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