Crispy Chicken, Cool Vibes: A Dinner at Red Temper

I remember exactly what I was doing whenI first stumbled upon Red Temper : zooming in on random streets in Nordvest on Google Maps (as I do). I was curious about the spots I don’t usually pass by, and on Borups Allé, a little stretch I’d never paid much attention to, I spotted a Korean place I’d never heard of: Red Temper. It immediately went on my mental “to-try” list.

It took me a few months to finally make the trip. One night, instead of defaulting to our usual takeout from the likes of Hubb Kitchens or Nordvest Pizzeria, I hopped on my bike and rode five minutes down to Red Temper to pick up an online order.

When I arrived, it turned out they had tried to reach me — one of the dishes I ordered wasn’t available, and they had canceled the order. Not ideal, of course, but what happened next completely made up for it: They immediately offered to remake the rest of the order on the spot and were incredibly apologetic and kind. While I waited, they handed me a hibiscus lemonade — and honestly? It was delicious. Cold, slightly tart, just sweet enough, and beautifully refreshing. That small gesture really stood out.

While waiting, I got to take in the vibe of the place. Red Temper feels like a retro Korean snack bar meets modern design — pops of red, tiled details, soft neons, and little nods to Korean culture throughout. The place has a cool energy, the kind you don’t find too often in this part of Nordvest, where small businesses are still relatively rare. It’s the kind of spot that feels like it shouldn’t be hidden — and yet somehow, it is. Once the food was ready, they handed over the bag with not only what I’d ordered but a few extra touches: a small portion of the cucumber they did have left (just not enough for a full salad), and an extra helping of fried chicken as an apology for the mix-up. A truly generous and thoughtful gesture.

Back home, my husband and I opened the boxes with high expectations. We tend to believe that if a place has a small menu, it usually means they do those few things really well. Red Temper didn't disappoint. I had gone for the orange chicken bowl, partially inspired by some nostalgic cravings from my Boston days (hello, Panda Express). The chicken was crispy, beautifully glazed, and not too spicy — which I appreciated, having grown up with very little heat in my food. The mix of pickled cucumbers, red cabbage, lime, and crushed nuts made every bite varied and vibrant. If I’m being critical, the rice was maybe just slightly undercooked, but nothing that would stop me from ordering again — and I will be ordering again. The fried chicken was the real star. Crunchy, saucy, deeply satisfying. And now that I’ve had it once, I know for next time to always get that hibiscus lemonade and the cucumber salad too. That combo is officially a craving.

Beyond the food, the people at Red Temper were incredibly lovely — warm, helpful, and clearly proud of their place. It’s the kind of spot that feels personal and cared-for, and the experience — even with the little hiccup — left me smiling. They even have a couple of small games for kids, so it’s a place you can pop into with your family and not feel rushed or out of place.

So here it is: Red Temper is a great little spot to satisfy your Korean food craving — especially if you didn’t even know there was a Korean place in this part of town. It’s not flashy or trying too hard, but it hits the spot with crispy fried chicken, refreshing sides, and a genuinely warm vibe. If you live nearby or find yourself wanting something different from the usual neighborhood options, this place definitely deserves a spot on your list.