When Coqodaq first opened in NYC in early 2024, queues ran around the block. Reservations were snapped up instantaneously and walk-in seats even more sought-after. Even now, over two years after its launch, dinner tables for a sociable hour are hard to come by without a man on the inside.
Now though, Londoners will be able to get a taste of the famous caviar-topped chicken nuggets on home turf: Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat Mayfair is hosting a Coqodaq pop-up for two weeks only.
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Launched by Korean restaurateur Simon Kim (who is also behind Cote Steakhouse), Coqodaq bridges a playful gap between high-end fine dining and late-night fast food, all served in a sexy, architecture-led dining room. The ‘Cathedral of Fried Chicken’ became a happily adopted buzz phrase.
The menu was, and is, fun but ultra-fancy: there’s the signature chicken nuggets with a dollop of Golden Daurenki caviar, but also dressed oysters, onion rings, and gruyere mac and cheese. For the all-out experience, there’s a Colonel Sanders-inspired fried chicken bucket with Korean-inspired condiments and sauces, including pickled veg and gochujang, and a soft serve to finish.
In a bid to offer better – dare we say healthier – fried chicken, Coqodaq uses certified humane, hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken and a gluten-free rice flour batter (chosen for retaining up to 60 percent less fat).
During its trip over the Atlantic, Coqodaq will be serving the Golden Daurenki caviar 24 Karat Golden Nugget, as well as the Black Gold version, which has a flurry of shaved seasonal truffle. Rounding off the menu will be a bluefin tuna tartare with chili and soy sauce. As well as dining in, the Lucky Cat x Coqodaq collaboration features a to-go option.
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Stateside, Coqodaq is known for pairing fried chicken with champagne (the bubbles are intended to cut through the meat’s fat). In London, the nuggets will be teamed up with glasses of Perrier – Jouët Belle Epoque – a signature at many of Ramsay’s restaurants. The Coqodaq team is also bringing its signature cocktail to the UK. The Double Deuce – a take on the Honey Deuce – mixes melon, vodka, and fizz is a US Open special (its arrival in London just in time for Wimbledon feels fitting).
“Simon has built something incredibly special in New York with Coqodaq,” says Ramsay ahead of launch. “It’s honestly some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever tasted. I’m excited for … Coqodaq’s world famous nugget [to] land at Lucky Cat Mayfair this summer. Get ready, I promise this is the dish you won’t want to miss.”
Coqodaq will be taking over Lucky Cat from June 29 through July 12. And, at time of press, there were plenty of tables left to grab – be quick.
