Coqodaq, a restaurant that has emerged on East 22nd Street in New York City, is quickly becoming a topic of conversation. This sprawling 8,000-square-foot establishment, open for six months, presents a dining experience that defies easy categorization. Stepping into Coqodaq is like entering a space that blends elements of an airplane hangar’s vastness, a church’s grandeur, the energy of a roller disco, the glitz of a Las Vegas casino, and the utilitarian design of a Quonset hut. It feels simultaneously like a groundbreaking concept and a whimsical departure from the norm, making it arguably the most intriguing restaurant to debut in Manhattan since the pandemic began. Its multifaceted nature is its defining characteristic, even if it’s not striving for conventional perfection.
You’re likely to have an enjoyable time at Coqodaq, especially if Korean fried chicken is to your liking. While the menu offers other options, the star attraction is undoubtedly the Korean fried chicken served in a bucket. This isn’t just chicken; it’s an entire feast presented as the “Bucket List.” For $38, diners are treated to this bucket of crispy, flavorful chicken alongside a warming cup of chicken-ginseng consommé, refreshing cubes of pickled daikon and an assortment of other banchan side dishes. Adding to the culinary journey is a plate of chilled capellini pasta lightly seasoned with perilla seeds, a vibrant slaw of slivered scallions, and concluding with a palate-cleansing swirl of soft-serve fro-yo topped with blueberry sauce, reminiscent of Pinkberry. This comprehensive offering makes the “Bucket List” a notably good value in the New York dining scene.
The menu itself emphasizes the “Bucket List” experience. Printed in bold red type, larger than almost any other text except the restaurant’s name, “Bucket List” is clearly the focal point. A small trademark symbol subtly marks its branding. Below the name, a subtitle clarifies its essence: “Our Chef’s Signature Fried Chicken Feast.” Further emphasizing its importance, a drawing of the bucket dominates the menu page, even larger than the words “Bucket List” itself. This bucket is depicted almost iconically, radiating light like a sunburst, evoking imagery of religious ascension. Servers often reinforce this signature dish, routinely suggesting that the Bucket List is “a great way to experience our food” when taking orders, solidifying its central role in the Coqodaq dining adventure at their East 22nd Street location in New York, NY.
