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Introduction

Honey butter sauce (허니버터 소스) is a glossy glaze of melted butter, honey and a little salt that Korean chicken shops brush over crispy fried chicken. The sweet-and-salty honey butter flavor became a huge trend in Korea in the mid-2010s, starting with potato chips and spreading to fried chicken, popcorn, almonds and toast. Today honey butter chicken sits on many chicken shop menus next to spicy yangnyeom sauce and soy garlic sauce. It is the go-to choice for kids and anyone who wants Korean fried chicken with zero spice.

Honey Butter Sauce at a Glance

What it is

A sweet, buttery, non-spicy glaze for Korean fried chicken and snacks

Main ingredients

Butter, honey, a pinch of salt, often garlic and a little sugar or syrup

Taste

Rich, sweet and lightly salty, like caramel popcorn meets garlic bread

Main uses

Fried chicken, chicken wings, toast, roasted nuts, sweet potatoes, popcorn

What is Honey Butter Sauce Made Of?

The base is simply butter and honey cooked together until bubbly, seasoned with salt so it is not one-note sweet. Common styles:

Classic honey butter glaze: butter, honey and salt – brushed or tossed onto hot chicken.
Garlic honey butter: minced garlic sizzled in the butter first – the version below.
Honey butter powder: a dry seasoning of sugar, butter powder and honey powder dusted over chicken or chips, similar to snow cheese powder.
Bottled honey butter sauce: ready-made sauces sold at Korean markets, usually thickened with syrup.

What Does Honey Butter Sauce Taste Like?

Honey butter sauce tastes sweet first, then rich and buttery, with a salty finish that makes you want another bite. With garlic it gets a savory, garlic-bread aroma. It has no chili heat at all, so it pairs perfectly with a spicy sauce on a half-and-half platter.

Popular Korean Dishes That Use Honey Butter Sauce

Honey Butter Chicken

Crispy fried chicken glazed with honey butter – the recipe below. See our Korean chicken shop guide for how it fits on a banban (half-and-half) order.

Honey Butter Toast

Thick bread toasted with honey butter, a cafe favorite often topped with whipped cream or ice cream.

Honey Butter Goguma

Roasted or air-fried Korean sweet potatoes tossed in honey butter as a snack.

Honey Butter Almonds and Popcorn

Packaged honey butter snacks are some of the most popular souvenirs from Korean convenience stores.

Easy Honey Butter Chicken Recipe (Serves 2–3)

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb (700 g) boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 tsp salt and a pinch of black pepper
1 tsp minced garlic and 1 tsp grated ginger (optional)
2/3 cup potato starch or cornstarch
Neutral oil for frying (about 4 cups)

Honey Butter Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp honey
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
Chopped parsley to garnish (optional)

Instructions

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic and ginger and rest 15 minutes. Pat off excess moisture.
Toss the chicken in the starch until every piece is coated; shake off the excess.
Heat the oil in a heavy, deep pot (fill no more than halfway) to 340°F / 170°C. Fry the chicken in small batches for 5–6 minutes, then drain on a rack.
Raise the oil to 360°F / 180°C and fry again for 1–2 minutes until deep golden and crisp. The thickest piece should reach 165°F / 74°C inside.
In a wide pan over low heat, melt the butter and cook the garlic for 30 seconds. Add honey, sugar and salt and simmer until bubbly and slightly thick, about 1 minute.
Turn off the heat, add the hot chicken and toss quickly to coat. Sprinkle with parsley and serve right away.

Tip: Keep the glaze light – a thin coat keeps the crust crunchy. Oil safety: never leave hot oil unattended, keep a lid nearby to smother flare-ups (never use water), and let oil cool completely before disposing of it. Prefer less oil? Use the method in our air fryer Korean fried chicken post and glaze with honey butter instead.

Where to Buy Honey Butter Sauce

How to Store Honey Butter Sauce

Homemade honey butter sauce firms up as it cools. Keep leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 1 week and warm gently before using. Store bottled sauce according to the label, refrigerated after opening. Leftover glazed chicken keeps 2–3 days in the fridge; reheat in an air fryer or oven to bring back the crunch.

Honey Butter Sauce FAQ

Is honey butter chicken spicy?

No. It is sweet, buttery and slightly salty with no chili, which makes it popular with kids.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes – just skip the added salt in the sauce and taste before adding more.

What is the difference between honey butter and soy garlic chicken?

Soy garlic chicken is savory-sweet from soy sauce; honey butter chicken is sweeter and richer, built on butter and honey with only salt for seasoning.

Can I make honey butter sauce without garlic?

Yes. Plain butter, honey and salt make the classic version; garlic just adds a savory note.

Conclusion

Honey butter sauce is the easiest Korean chicken glaze you can make – three main ingredients and two minutes in a pan. Serve it half-and-half with spicy chicken for the full Korean chicken shop experience: learn the spicy side in our main yangnyeom sauce guide and the full yangnyeom chicken recipe.

Korean Ingredients Guide

What is Honey Butter Sauce? Korean Honey Butter Chicken Glaze Explained (+ Easy Honey Butter Chicken Recipe)

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