We checked the menus of the top 10 franchise chicken chains subject to the chicken weight labeling system.
Even for boneless chicken, some brands display the weight while others do not.
Company A, for instance, failed to list the weight for 14 out of its 15 boneless chicken menu items.
The weight labeling system for chicken was introduced after Kyochon Chicken kept prices the same while reducing the amount of boneless chicken last year. However, consumers still cannot find out the exact portion size of boneless chicken at certain chains.
When we asked Company A why it does not display the weight, the company replied that it received guidance from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stating that its boneless chicken is not subject to the weight labeling requirement.
What is the difference between this and boneless chicken from other brands?
According to the Ministry's manual, chicken nuggets or "colpop" (popcorn chicken in a cup) can be exempted from weight labeling.
These are processed meat products supplied to stores from headquarters factories with the batter already applied.
Boneless chicken is not included in this exemption.
However, Company A argues that because its boneless chicken is coated with batter at the headquarters factory rather than in the store, it falls under the weight labeling exception just like colpop.
An exception rule that should be limited to side menus like colpop is being applied to its main boneless chicken dishes.
From a consumer's perspective, there is no way of knowing whether the batter on boneless chicken was applied at the headquarters factory or at the local store.
Because consumers can check the weight of some boneless chicken while others remain a mystery even when eating the exact same dish, critics are calling it a "half-baked weight labeling system."
[Interview / Lee Jung-soo, Secretary General, Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations: Whether it is omitted intentionally or by mistake, consumers have no way of knowing. Therefore, providing the weight of the final product that the consumer receives is the best approach.]
As our reporting began, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "Since this system is for the right of consumers to know, we have guided Company A to display the weight for its boneless chicken as well."
Even the weight labels for 'before cooking' vary... The 'weight labeling system' loses its effectiveness (8 News, July 28, 2026)
Reported by Cho Yun-ha | Produced by Choi Yun-seo | Video by Kim Jong-tae | Graphics by Seo Seung-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
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