Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Rice Chicken – San Diego
Rice Chicken - San Diego
Photo from Rice Chicken
Rice Chicken at a glance
San Diego Rancho Peñasquitos
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 42 of the guests
#482 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#4 Korean Restaurant out of 11 in San Diego
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
416
Reviews
66.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Crispy chicken
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- High prices
The restaurant Rice Chicken offers a delightful Korean dining experience right in San Diego’s vibrant Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual and trendy spot perfect for a quick bite, whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner.
This Korean restaurant provides a welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy authentic flavors and convenient service options.
Overview: Introducting Rice Chicken
Rice Chicken offers a compelling experience, particularly for those seeking well-prepared chicken. Many appreciate the crispy and flavorful options, often noting the generous portions.
The establishment also benefits from an attentive staff who strive to provide a pleasant visit, contributing to a generally positive atmosphere. However, some visits can be less smooth.
While many find the pricing to be fair, others feel it can be overpriced, especially for certain items. There are also occasional reports of horrific service or food quality issues, such as chicken that is mostly all batter.
Good
6.9
out of 10
416
Reviews
66.8%
Satisfaction
108
negative
30
neutral
278
positive
Rice Chicken earns a respectable 6.9 out of 10 for its overall performance, indicating a generally good dining experience. Customer satisfaction sits at 66.8%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive reception among its patrons.
These insights are drawn from over 400 customer comments, with 278 positive remarks balancing against 108 negative observations. The culinary offerings stand out, with Food scoring a strong (7.4), often described as delicious and well-prepared.
The Ambience also contributes positively, rated at (6.8), reflecting a clean and comfortable setting. While Service receives an average (6.1), and Value is rated (4.4), these areas show room for improvement, as some guests have noted inconsistencies.
What people like
- Crispy, flavorful chicken
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Clean dining environment
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Perceived high prices
- Occasional poor food quality
If you’re seeking a spot known for its well-prepared chicken, Rice Chicken is certainly worth considering. The focus on quality ingredients and a pleasant atmosphere often makes for an enjoyable meal.
However, be mindful that experiences can vary, particularly concerning service and perceived value. With a recommendation score of 7.2, this establishment generally delivers.
It’s a place that could satisfy your craving for flavorful chicken, but it’s wise to manage expectations regarding pricing and service consistency. It might not be a perfect fit for every occasion.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Rice Chicken
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
Overall, the food here offers a good culinary experience, with a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction landing at a respectable 74.3%. Many diners, 211 out of 284, rave about the crispy and juicy chicken, often highlighting the honey garlic sauce and the great flavor variety. Fresh ingredients and satisfying crunch are frequently praised.
However, about 52 comments point to some areas for improvement. Concerns include dry chicken and occasional oily textures, along with inconsistency in spicing. Some also felt portions were overpriced, suggesting that while the highs are high, there can be some noticeable dips.
Food
284
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
52
negative
21
neutral
211
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Crispy, juicy chicken
- Great flavor variety
- Honey garlic sauce
What people don't like
- Dry, oily chicken
- Inconsistent spicing
- Overpriced portions
Often praised
- chickenWe initially picked up half an order just to try it, but next time, we'll definitely get more! The ingredients were fresh, and the chicken was cooked to perfection. It's a 10 out of 10 experience!
- fried chickenrice flour make their fried chicken extra crispy and flavorful
- foodfood is absolutely delicious, served and cooked to order
- Korean fried chickencrispy, crunchy, and absolutely delicious Korean fried chicken!
- crunchMy first time here yesterday was for some fried chicken, and it was amazing! It had a great crunch. The lady at the register was so nice and we had a quick, nice conversation when picking up the food.
- crispywas crispy, not greasy, and quite tasty.
- honey garlic saucechicken sandwich with the honey garlic sauce and was pleasantly surprised. Tasty
- portionsbig portions which make for great leftovers the next day
- saucesI am a big fan of chicken and this place was really good! They have lots of different sauces so you can get it to your style. But the chicken itself is super crunchy on the outside and very moist on the inside.
- baked chickenI promise myself one day I'll try something other than the fried chicken sandwiches, but they are just so fricken good. Today, I tried one with baked chicken, and it was just as delicious! The cole slaw in it isn't overly mayo-y; it's tangy but not too much, which makes me feel like I'm eating healthy 😅.
Frequently criticized
- chickenI live in Kearny Mesa and I'm Asian, so I totally know my chicken. Unfortunately, there was no chicken in my chicken here at Rice Chicken; it was literally all batter. This was not like Seoul.
- chicken qualityI've ordered rice chicken a few times before, but today was the worst. The chicken quality was very low, with the meat being dark and hard, and the skin was black and excessively greasy. It seemed like it had been fried for too long.
- fried chickenThe fried chicken weren't fresh and some had bad smell
- ricemy rice had just about half a cup of soy sauce
- Boba Teauncooked Boba
- Korean fried chicken restaurantsThe chicken was mid at best. I found that there are way better Korean fried chicken restaurants nearby.
- RamenOrdered Ramen and explicitly said "very mild" and it came out on fire.
- batterI live in Kearny Mesa and I'm Asian, so I totally know my chicken. Unfortunately, there was no chicken in my chicken here at Rice Chicken; it was literally all batter. This was not like Seoul.
- boneless chicken dishesboneless chicken dishes. They were a bit dry
- chicken piecesI ended up throwing away the skin because it was so oily. The chicken pieces were also too big. Comparing it to rice chicken in Dallas, this place is significantly inferior.
If you're craving flavorful, crispy chicken, especially with honey garlic, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some experiences mention dryness or inconsistent spice, so manage your expectations for every dish.
Service (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
Lets talk service! While the overall score sits at an average 6.1 and customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 55.6%, theres definitely a bright side. Many guests, accounting for 45 positive remarks out of 81, consistently praise the friendly staff and attentive servers.
They often highlight quick and prompt assistance and helpful customer service, making their visits enjoyable and smooth. However, the experience isnt always consistent. Some diners, contributing 30 negative comments, unfortunately encountered rude staff and impolite interactions, leading to long waiting times and a feeling of unorganized service.
It seems theres room for improvement in ensuring everyone receives the same level of care and a consistently positive experience.
Service
81
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
30
negative
6
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick, prompt service
- Attentive customer service
What people don't like
- Rude, unorganized staff
- Long waiting times
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceIt even surpasses the eats in DC or LA, making it the absolute best fried chicken in California! Beyond the incredible food, I was impressed by the wonderful family, the super clean environment, and the spectacular service. I particularly loved the spicy chicken sandwich and lava sauce.
- staffThey offer lots of variations, which is great. The staff was also very nice and attentive. I will definitely be going back.
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. The gentleman employee with glasses provided extremely customer service oriented assistance, ensuring I was completely satisfied. Furthermore, their chicken is top notch!
- Friendly servicesFriendly servces by nice people
- conversationhad a quick nice conversation
- employeeskind the employees are
- familyWonderful family
- foodMy daughter was craving fried chicken, so we stopped by the restaurant. The food was prepared immediately and served hot. I ordered the Mild boneless chicken for my daughter from the kids' menu, and she loved it.
- gentleman at the counterThe gentleman at the counter is very attentive and courteous
- gentleman employeeThe gentleman employee with glasses is extremely customer service oriented
Frequently criticized
- staffthe staff has very poor English
- customer serviceAbsolutely horrible customer service from the guy working upfront
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was a mix of great food and horrific service. On multiple visits, I've hoped for improvement, but the service remains consistently poor.
- waiting timemy order is still taking 20 mins past what it should of
- acknowledgementnor acknowledged us for 15 minutes
- checkHad to ask for our check
- consistentToo bad they are not consistent
- credit card readercredit card reader "assumes" you want to tip
- greetingNo one greeted us nor acknowledged us
- guy working upfrontVery rude
If youre looking for a quick bite and hoping for a friendly face, you might be pleasantly surprised. But be prepared that service can be a bit of a gamble, with some guests experiencing delays or less-than-stellar interactions. Its worth a try, but keep your expectations balanced.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits a good note, scoring a solid 6.8. While customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 68.2%, many guests appreciate the overall atmosphere, generous seating, and the clean environment. With 15 positive remarks out of 22 total, patrons often highlight the good vibes, cleanliness, and even enjoy the K-pop videos playing, contributing to a joyful and welcoming space.
However, there are a few snags that keep the ambience from being universally loved, with 7 negative comments. Some diners have faced issues like no A/C or the place being too cold, leading to uncomfortable temperature experiences. Others mentioned mosquitos when dining in, or found the seating a bit tight, contributing to a higher noise level than desired.
Ambience
22
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and tidy
- Generous seating
- Good vibes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent temperature
- Mosquitoes present
- Can be noisy
Often praised
- atmosphereGreat location
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- K-pop videosThey are always playing K-pop videos
- cleanlinessIt even surpasses the eats in DC or LA, making it the absolute best fried chicken in California! Beyond the incredible food, I was impressed by the wonderful family, the super clean environment, and the spectacular service. I particularly loved the spicy chicken sandwich and lava sauce.
- family owned restaurantsupport this amazing family owned restaurant
- good vibeslove amazing food and good vibes!
- joyful eveningWe had such a joyful evening
- parkingGenerous seating and parking
- plenty of tablesPlenty of tables if you want to eat there while your chicken is hot and crispy.
- restaurantthe restaurant is tidy and clean
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereLiterally the place is empty
- mosquitosgetting eaten by mosquitos when dining in
- no A/Cno A/C. It’s 95° outside and you don’t run the A/C?!
- noise levelit is loud as a result
- restaurantMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the overpriced chicken. It's outrageous how much they are charging, especially considering their restaurant is always empty. I wish them good luck staying in business.
- seatingThe seating is a little tight
- temperatureThey keep it way too cold in there
If youre looking for a place with a generally good atmosphere, clean surroundings, and often lively K-pop videos, its worth checking out. Just be prepared for potential temperature fluctuations or a bit of noise, especially if you're sensitive to those things.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag here, with a customer satisfaction of just 24.1%, which is on the poor side, despite an average score of 4.4. Some diners were pleasantly surprised by fair "prices" and found certain dishes to be "great value and portion, " especially when taking advantage of "Tuesday special" or "Monday and Tuesday special" deals, feeling it was "worth every penny. " These positive sentiments came from 7 out of 29 opinions.
However, the majority of the 29 opinions, with 19 negative remarks, point to significant concerns. Many felt items were on the "pricey side" or outright "overpriced, " with some mentioning "nickel and diming" for things like "additional sauces" or "extra cheese. " The overall sentiment suggests that while some deals exist, the general "cost" often doesnt align with the perceived value.
Value
29
Reviews
24%
Satisfaction
19
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair prices
- Great portion value
- Special deals
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Costly add-ons
- Nickel and diming
Often praised
- pricesI returned to this restaurant after a few years, remembering the food was good but expensive. This time, I was pleased to find the prices were more fair. I ordered the chicken sandwich with honey garlic sauce and was pleasantly surprised by how tasty and filling it was.
- Monday and Tuesday specialThey have a special on Mondays and Tuesdays that's a good deal
- Tuesday specialonly $19.99 for Tuesday special
- great value and portiongreat value and portion for the price.
- priceat a very reasonable price
- worth every pennyworth every penny spent there
Frequently criticized
- priceAdding to the disappointment, the fries were cold. We paid $44 for 10 pieces of subpar chicken and cold fries. When I called, the woman who answered was polite but informed me that no manager was available.
- costIt tasted good and wasn't too spicy. However, I probably won't get it again because the cost was on the high end for fried chicken.
- pricey sideThe hot chicken was incredibly juicy, with an explosive flavor that made for a satisfying first bite. While it was a little on the pricey side, the taste was so, so good. I ordered Togo, so I can't comment on the atmosphere, but the service was quick and prompt.
- $10not a place you want to eat for $10
- Grubhub menuThe grub hub menu is misleading and overpriced
- additional saucesadditional sauces weren't $2 extra
- extra cheeseextra cheese though which is a steep additional charge
- moneyDont wast your money for horrible service and the food
- nickel and dimingnickel and diming it's customers for basically nothing
- overpriceddecent place for fried chicken, overpriced
If youre looking for a good deal, definitely check out their Monday and Tuesday specials, as thats where the value truly shines. Otherwise, be prepared for prices that many find a bit steep, especially for add-ons, which might leave you feeling like youre not getting your moneys worth.
How are the prices at Rice Chicken?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 42 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Korean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks spend right in that sweet spot, with the vast majority of prices clustering firmly in the $11–$20 range. It’s a pretty consistent offering, not a wild mix of super cheap and super pricey.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 42 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Korean Restaurant. It offers a consistent mid-range experience without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Rice Chicken
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Incredible Korean Fried Chicken!
This was my second visit with my family, and the experience was incredible. The food was incredibly fresh and made to order, complemented by great service. You can genuinely tell they care about their customers.
The chicken was moist, super crispy, and wildly delicious, with marinades that were divine. If you've never tried Korean Fried Chicken, this is the place to do it. Even those with seasoned palates will truly enjoy it.
Come support this amazing family-owned restaurant!
- food10
- service9
- chicken10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Roasted Chicken, Eager to Return!
I had been wanting to try this place for quite some time and finally did. My experience was excellent! I had the roasted chicken and rice lunch bowl, and it was absolutely delicious.
I'm already looking forward to coming back to try something fried.
- roasted chicken and rice lunch bowl10
- food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Gluten-Free Fried Chicken!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially as a gluten-free diner! I finally found a place with gluten-free fried chicken, and I wish I had discovered it sooner. The two chicken dishes we ordered were excellent.
The honey garlic sauce was delicious, and neither dish was excessively salty. The service was excellent, and I'm eager to return and try more of their offerings!
- gluten-free fried chicken10
- chicken dishes9
- honey garlic sauce9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
10
Amazing Fried Chicken and Great Service!
My first time here yesterday was for some fried chicken, and it was amazing! It had a great crunch. The lady at the register was so nice and we had a quick, nice conversation when picking up the food.
I recommend this place.
- fried chicken10
- crunch9
- lady at the register10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Absolutely Delicious Food, Excellent Service!
My experience at Rice Chicken was absolutely delicious. The food was served and cooked to order, which I really appreciated. The service was very courteous, and the atmosphere was great.
I'm usually very picky, but this place has earned a new customer for life. Thank you, Rice Chicken!
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere9
What Rice Chicken offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Has changing table(s)
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Hard liquor
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Does Rice Chicken offer convenient parking and service options?
Yes, at Rice Chicken, you’ll find a free parking lot with usually plenty of parking available. You can choose from dine-in, takeout, or delivery, and even enjoy outdoor seating.
Is Rice Chicken accessible and suitable for families?
Absolutely! Rice Chicken is wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. It’s also good for kids and has changing tables available.
What is the overall rating for Rice Chicken and what contributes to it?
Rice Chicken holds an overall score of 6.9 out of 10. Its Food is highly rated (7.4), and the Ambience is considered good (6.8). Service is average (6.1), while Value is rated lower (4.4).
What do customers generally appreciate most about Rice Chicken?
Many customers praise the crispy and flavorful chicken, often highlighting the generous portions. The staff are frequently noted for being attentive and friendly, and the restaurant’s cleanliness is also a positive point.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by diners?
Some diners have experienced inconsistent service, with reports of long waiting times or rude interactions. Others find the restaurant to be overpriced for certain items, and there are occasional complaints about food quality, such as chicken being mostly batter or dry.