• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Shop

Roy Choi’s Furikake Kettle Corn

September 17, 2014 by Joy the Baker 64 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

I’m don’t have a cool party trick.  I’m not double jointed.  I’m not a gymnast or former cheerleader.  I can’t curse in Russian.  I never could do one of those beer funnel things.  My tap dancing skills really need some work (mostly because I never had them in the first place).  I can play a few jazz tunes on the piano, but that always ends up being more embarrassing than impressive.

In the absence of a party trick there is this:  Roy Choi’s Furikake Kettle Corn.  Praise the Lord above.  This is SO FOR REAL GOOD.

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

There’s a lot we need to talk about.  I know that I’ve mentioned the work ‘furikake’ like it ain’t no thing and you might be like.. um, WHAT!?

Furikake is a sweet and savory Japanese spicy that is meant to be sprinkled over white rice.  In furikake you’ll find, dried fish flakes (bonito), seaweed bits, sesame seeds, sugar, salt, and (in the case of my furikake) wasabi.  It’s a magic seasoning that encompasses every sweet, salty, savory, and umami desire.  Find Wasabi Furikake (with fish flakes) here.  Find Furikake (without fish flakes) here.

To our kettle corn we also add Corn Pops (YES a cold cereal), finely chopped bacon (burnt is best), finely chopped dried pineapple, red pepper flakes, chives, and browned butter.

Should I step back a bit and let that sink in.  Those are some crazy flavor combinations.

This recipe comes from Roy Choi, the god-father of the food truck movement in Los Angeles.  This magic popcorn is served at his restaurant A-Frame in LA.  Happy Hour, get to it!

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

 This recipe is non-negotiable.

First non-negotiable:  you must make it.  I know I’m bossy, but don’t fight me on this one.

Second non-negotiable:  all of the listed ingredients must make their way into this oh-my-gosh-AMAZING popcorn concoction.  You can’t substitute kale for furikake, margarine for butter, air for dried pineapple, or corn flakes for corn pops.  Everything in the bowl!  Every little bit.   This recipe is exactly right.

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

I didn’t add a tremendous amount of sugar to my kettle corn. It’s mostly popcorn.  Not too sweet.

Crisp bacon and dried pineapple are chopped extra-fine.

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

Into a large bowl with the Corn Pops!

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

Bacon and pineapple, too!

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

Furikake, red pepper flakes, chives, and butter are tossed together in the popcorn.

Don’t taste it yet… if you go in now, you’ll never ever stop.

Roy Choi's Furikake Kettle Corn

Once in a serving bowl I add a good dose (like a really good dose) of Furikake, chili flakes, cayenne pepper, and chives.  The popcorn should be inundated with toppings, sweet and salty.

It’s hard for me to properly articulate how intriguing and unstoppable this popcorn mixture is.  The ingredients are a bit unusual, but once you get your hands on them you’ll have a party trick from here until your partying days are over.  It really is that wondrous!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Roy Choi’s Furikake Kettle Corn

  • Prep Time: 0 hours
  • Cook Time: 0 hours
  • Total Time: 0 hours
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Description

Roy Choi’s infamous Kettle Corn served a A-Frame Restaurant in Los Angeles.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Kettle Corn

  • 3 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/4 cup corn kernels
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • salt to taste

For the Mix

  • 4 heaping cups kettle corn
  • 1 cup Corn Pops (the cold cereal)
  • 2 tablespoons furikake, plus more for topping if desired
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped dried pineapple
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped crisp bacon
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and browned
  • 2 tablespoons minced chives

Instructions

  1. To make the kettle corn, in a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the corn kernels and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place the lid over the pan, keeping the lid slightly ajar.
  2. Allow popcorn to begin popping. Once or twice, cover the pan completely, and use pot holders to lift the pan and shake it. When popping slows, remove from heat and sprinkle lightly with salt. Shake into a large bowl.
  3. Add Corn Pops, furikake, red pepper flakes, pinch of cayenne, diced pineapple, and diced bacon. Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and toss to combine. Place in a serving bowl and sprinkle with more furikake and minced chives.
  4. Serve and enjoy!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: serves 4

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Recipes, Savory, Snacks

Previous Post: « Apple + Fennel with Pistachio + Apricot
Next Post: Sausage, Cheddar and Grits Frittata »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. Veggiegal

    April 13, 2016 at 11:12 am

    I’ll replace bacon with smoked, dried coconut flakes and if that doesn’t work, I’ll use my shiitake bacon. Thanks! I like everything about this recipe–sans bacon.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      April 14, 2016 at 11:01 pm

      sounds good!

      Reply
  2. Haley Musial

    January 21, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    You had me at Roy Choi……. :) Going to check out his new place Local in Watts this weekend… STOKED! https://www.welocol.com

    Reply
  3. joybee83

    August 2, 2015 at 1:32 am

    Sounds like a bit of work but well worth it. This is the ultimate munchy food. Pinning.

    Reply
  4. carolyngracebeaumont

    May 17, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    I made this for an appetizer party last night and it was a huge hit. So delicious and I am definitely no longer worried about using up the extra 3/4 of a box of corn pops in my cupboard now. I was a bit worried about how it would work, but it was great!

    Reply
  5. Kim Huston

    December 29, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    How about a faux bacon substitute like Morning Star Breakfast Strips? Do you think it would be just as good? I don’t eat meat but this looks addicting!

    Reply
  6. madisonsheffield

    November 23, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Made this for a movie night tonight and I cannot exaggerate how good it was. Four people with very different tastes and preferences in food scrabbled over the last bits left in the bowl and nobody could stop talking about how amazing and addictive it was. Recipe requests came in immediately. This is one to keep in the back pocket for sure!

    Reply
  7. LaDotyK

    October 19, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    I wanted to like this so much, and it was pretty good, but it didn’t change my world. Maybe it could never live up to my expectations after reading Joy’s gushing praise. My biggest problem was that the toppings kept slipping to the bottom no matter how much I tried to stir it up so that there was very little flavor on the actual popcorn. Is there a trick to keep the toppings distributed?

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Recipes

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk
Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate sweet, salty, nutty treat with these irresistible white chocolate macadamia nut cookies! Made with butter and brown sugar, and loaded with chunks of creamy white chocolate and roasted macadamia nuts, these cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings (with a hint of salt for balance). Whether…

Read More

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar
My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

When life hands you lemons, make lemon bars! This lemon bar recipe is the perfect way to add a bite of sunshine to the day. These bars boast a buttery and lightly spiced shortbread crust, and a creamy smooth lemon filling that’s the perfect combination of tangy and sweet. Indulge in a square (or two)…

Read More

Oscars 2023 Party Menu

Since I was raised on movies, the Oscars ceremony is my Super Bowl. I look forward to it all year long and always try to watch all the contenders. Of course I’m in it for the films, the celebs, and the clothes. But I also love a good theme party—who doesn’t? My ideal Oscars party…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

Orange roll on a plate with a fork.

Christmas Morning Orange Rolls

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk

Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen

My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker and author of books and magazines
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
💁🏻‍♀️Classes with me @thebakehousenola
🍰 Products with @williamssonoma

joythebaker
🍓🌼 Pan Dulce is the best way to bake spring! 🍓🌼 Pan Dulce is the best way to bake spring! Full recipe linked in the @joythebaker bio! Xo
Second coffee: the perfect way to re-start the day Second coffee: the perfect way to re-start the day. 
✨Beignet Café au Lait✨⁣
⁣1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk⁣⁣
Splash of vanilla extract⁣⁣
½ cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks⁣⁣
2 cups fresh brewed strong coffee⁣⁣
½ cup toasted cinnamon cereal, lightly crushed⁣⁣
Powdered sugar for topping⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Place sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Add half of the whipped cream and fold to combine.  Add the remaining half and fold until you have a fluffy sweet cream. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Divide brewed coffee between two mugs. Spoon dream on top.  Sprinkle cinnamon cereal between the cups.  Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy immediately.
Life Skill No. 458: How to Make 1️⃣2️⃣ Cup Life Skill No. 458: How to Make 1️⃣2️⃣ Cupcakes with just 1️⃣ Stick of Butter⁣
⁣
Full recipe linked in my bio! xo
Someone call @foodnetwork because Dad and I need a Someone call @foodnetwork because Dad and I need a baking show stat. Here’s our very best chocolate chip cookies and all the little tips that make them perfection. ✨🍪 Find the full recipe linked in the profile!
We’re baking the classics on Joy the Baker this We’re baking the classics on Joy the Baker this month and up next, my very favorite Lemon Bar recipe with fresh lemon juice and the tiniest hint of coriander. ⁣🍋🌼✨
⁣
Find the full recipe linked in the profile and bust out the white chocolate and macadamia nuts for next week’s bake! ⁣
⁣
#lemonbars #easybaking #bakedfromscratch #joythebaker
Day in the Life: out in the woods writing a little Day in the Life: out in the woods writing a little cookbook about camp food. 💖🏕️🙋🏻‍♀️
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up