Choong Man Chicken(CM Chicken)충만치킨 - Norcross — Restaurant in Peachtree Corners

Let me tell you a story. Not just any story — a tale of longing, desperation, and deep-fried redemption.

It was a Monday night, and the existential dread of the workweek had already begun its slow chokehold. I was spiraling. Not emotionally (okay, maybe a little), but culinarily. I needed comfort. I needed crunch. I needed Korean fried chicken like a Victorian lady needed smelling salts. Nothing else would do.

So, I turned to the one person who couldn’t say no: my boyfriend, aka my unwilling chauffeur, emotional support human, and now, chicken quest companion. I informed him, with the kind of seriousness reserved for presidential addresses, “We are finding the best Korean fried chicken tonight. No compromises.”

Hour One: The Chicken Chase Begins What followed was an epic tour of disappointment. Google Maps became my nemesis. One place was inexplicably closed ("Monday hours" — how dare you). Another existed only in theory. A third one seemed to be operating out of a wormhole. I sat in the passenger seat, dramatically clutching my stomach, whispering things like, “This might be the end for me.” My boyfriend, bless his patient soul, just kept driving.

Just when I was ready to admit defeat and weep softly into a napkin, the stars aligned. Or rather, a Yelp review caught my eye: CM Chicken.

Arrival: Entering the Promised Land We arrived. I entered, wary but hopeful, like a raccoon that’s been burned before. Immediately, the smell hit me — that glorious, spicy, garlicky perfume of frying perfection. The dining area was clean, welcoming, and bathed in the warm glow of Good Decisions Being Made.

But then, the true test began: the menu. I was paralyzed by options. Cheese Snowing? Red Hot Pepper? Garlic Soy? Did I want whole wings? Boneless? A combo? I stood there like I was being asked to defuse a bomb.

But the staff? Saints. Legends. Absolute icons. They saw the wild panic in my eyes and gently walked me through my crisis. No judgment. Just encouragement, grace, and chicken expertise. They even offered tips, recommendations, and smiled through my 15-minute flavor meltdown.

The Chicken: A Spiritual Experience When the food came out, I knew I had found it. The One. The Chosen Chicken.

The Soy Garlic was so perfectly crisp and caramelized it practically winked at me. The Red Hot Pepper had the kind of kick that makes you question your life choices in the best way. And the Cheese Snowing? I still don’t know what it is, but it tastes like Korean magic and childhood joy got together and created flavor dust.

Every bite was perfect. My boyfriend took one bite, looked at me, and said, “Okay yeah, this was worth the gas.” High praise from a man who nearly abandoned ship after Stop #3.

The Verdict CM Chicken didn’t just feed me. They healed me. On a MONDAY, no less — the bleakest of all nights. They showed me hospitality, patience, and chicken cooked by people who clearly know it’s not just food, it’s therapy.

If you are ever in the throes of a late-night food existential crisis, drive — no, run — to CM Chicken. And bring someone who loves you enough to drive around aimlessly for an hour first.

They deserve a statue. I’ll settle for a punch card and a lifetime supply of...

No public restrooms? It's okay. We don't come here for that. We came for the chicken, and Choong Man (CM) Chicken has it. As often as I have been in the area and scoring food spots, this place never got my attention for whatever reason. I was craving tasty poultry this day though, and I was nearby. This place is in a decently populated area with the many shopping spots close by, but this place was not crowded at all and parking was pretty easy to find. You will find this establishment located beside other eateries, however this one stands out because... it's chicken. Walking in, the place is relatively spacious and pretty clean. There are some boxes gathered at one spot but it isn't noticeable. The menu is pretty broad, but not overwhelming. Chicken is their specialty and they have a good variety of flavors without overdoing it. The sides menu is just as pleasant to look at, with many options. Although chicken is the focus here, there are plenty options in the sides for anyone looking for a quick bite, even vegetarians. The design and presentation of the menu is well done. There are pictures on the walls that do not necessarily match the tone of the menu but whatever. I liked what I saw, and for a moment I was wishing I had more space in my stomach to try a lot of the sides. Maybe next time. I ordered myself some CM fried chicken and steamed rice. For my drink, I settled on some water. I waited about ten to fifteen minutes for my food. Not a horrible wait, and for me it was worth it. Once the food got to me, it already looked delicious. However they make that rice, I'm here for it. It was delicious. The fried chicken was just as good, fries just right and was not at all greasy. The cooks here clearly know how to fry food. It was seasoned just enough and none of my food felt like I was going to have a tough time in a couple hours. In regards to price, I'm content with it considering how much I enjoyed my meal. Would I prefer a lower price, sure, but this is what we have. It was not ridiculous. I ended up paying around $20, including leaving a tip. Also, I was barely able to finish my chicken and ordered the least amount. They give a good amount and in good sizes. For those looking for something not too greasy and with a good level of seasoning, this is the spot. If you are looking for oily foods and chicken doused in spices, maybe this isn't the spot. I lean more towards not boosting my sodium levels an outrageous amount, and I walked out feeling like I made the...

This post is six months late.

It isn't often that as a PTC resident that a new food establishment takes my breath away but when I saw a Korean fried chicken restaurant coming into a plaza less than 5 minutes from home, I whooped and hollered. Gone are the days that I'll have to drive 15-20 minutes toward Duluth for this type of fried chicken (and honestly, korean fried chicken is the way to go). Don't come at me complaining about the price or that Publix chicken is better (it's good, but it's not "KFC"; if you haven't yet had it yet, make it a priority and go try CM Chicken in PTC). Yes, there are other places that sell it but not with the convenience and variety as you'll get here. Whether you get it for take out or dine in, make sure to ask for gloves (that is your pro tip). I'm a fan of the slight smokiness of the "tikkudak" variety but garlic soy, garlic spicy, and the red pepper "buldak" are solid options. No, it's not healthy and you probably shouldn't eat it every day, but do make this your regular spot for fried chicken. Let's not let this gem in PTC go away! Great product, friendly service, and convenient location....