Signature Spicy Chicken Wings: The Story Behind Our Recipe

What makes a dish unforgettable? Sometimes, it’s the flavor. Other times, it’s the story behind it. At United Dumplings—often called the best Chinese restaurant in San Francisco by loyal locals—our signature spicy chicken wings deliver both. They’re sweet, they’re spicy, and they carry the spirit of late-night adventures, spontaneous cravings, and meals best shared with others.

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The Spicy Chicken Wings Story Begins in Koreatown

The inspiration for United Dumplings’ signature spicy chicken wings began during Julia Zhu’s college years in Los Angeles. After long study sessions, she and her friends often ended up in Koreatown—drawn to the buzz of the neighborhood and the comfort of fried chicken served late into the night. It wasn’t a planned ritual, but it quickly became one.

Those nights were loud, flavorful, and full of laughter. Everyone crowded around the table, passing wings and swapping stories. That combination of crisp texture, sweet heat, and togetherness left a mark. When Julia and her co-founder Sandy later opened United Dumplings, those memories returned, ready to be turned into something new.

A Shared Love for Heat: Creating Our Secret Spicy Chicken Wings Recipe

Years after those Koreatown meals, Julia and Sandy started developing a dish that could bring that same energy into the United Dumplings kitchen. Both have a deep appreciation for spicy food—especially the kind that doesn’t try to overpower but invites you in.

Their secret spicy chicken wings recipe was the result of careful experimenting. They started with a simple marinade—ginger, garlic, and a house-special sauce—then worked on refining texture, cooking method, and that final glaze. It wasn’t about chasing the hottest wing. It was about building something flavorful, layered, and fun to eat.

Every decision in the process pointed back to the same question: Would these signature spicy chicken wings bring people together? The answer, again and again, was yes.

The Care Behind Our Homemade Spicy Chicken Wings

At United Dumplings, flavor starts with intention. The homemade spicy chicken wings reflect the same approach that runs through the whole menu—fresh ingredients, thoughtful prep, and a touch of joy. Each batch reflects the team’s dedication to consistency, from prep to plating—ensuring every wing delivers the same inviting bite.

The wings were never meant to be showy or extreme. They’re satisfying, craveable, and easy to share. The kind of thing you reach for again before you realize you're already planning your next visit. They’re comfort food with personality—something familiar, but made with care.

Guests often tell the team that the signature spicy chicken wings feel nostalgic, even if they’ve never had them before. That’s part of what makes them special. They feel like something you’ve loved before—and something worth making part of your own story.

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A Flavor Worth Sharing

These signature spicy chicken wings are more than a fan favorite—they’re part of what makes United Dumplings feel like home. The spicy chicken wings story begins in a college-era Koreatown memory, but it lives on every day through the people who gather around plates of wings in each location.

They’re designed for sharing, for catching up, for digging in without hesitation. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, the wings bring people together, just like they did all those years ago in Los Angeles.

Today, they’re waiting at three neighborhood locations: Bernal (Cortland Avenue), Marina (Chestnut Street), and Rockridge (Oakland). Each one serves the same sweet and spicy wings, rooted in memory and made to enjoy.