Time For “Robot Made” Fried Chicken!
This post began when I saw this signage on a building in Koreatown in New York…announcing the arrival soon of “Robot-Fried Chicken!”
Here’s how that looks:
The credit for this picture by the way is at the end of the story – it shows how robots are making fried chicken and here’s the story I found about it in “Restaurant Business” magazine:
“The parade of robots continues with the planned arrival in New York City this summer of Robert Chicken, a Korean fried chicken concept that promises to liberate humans from manual labor in kitchens.”
This restaurant will be opening soon and the report goes on to note:
“The 8,400-square-foot flagship store in Manhattan will be operated by Korean food tech startup Robo Arete, which boasts a “next-gen, all-in-one advanced solution” that can cook more than 50 chickens per hour, which officials say can cut labor costs in half.”
They go on to add:
“Robo Arete owns six Robert Chicken locations in Seoul, and the chain has two franchised stores there as well. In addition to fried chicken, the menu will include traditional Korean bunsik (snacks) that might be found on the streets of Seoul.”
Here is what the finished product looks like:
As soon as this restaurant opens, I will buy some chicken, watch the process and report back – it reminds me of a much more controversial robotic experience I shared before:
It’s Real And It’s Here: A Paella-Making Robot!
Well, this is a bit of a shock: the terrific newspaper The Guardian reported a while back that a “paella-making Robot” is here!
OK, let’s unpack this bag of culinary sacrilege – how can a Robot possibly create a work of culinary art like this?
In case you are wondering:
This is a traditional “Paella” I had on the Costa Brava in Spain. It’s a national treasure in Spain and is described this way:
Paella (pai·ei·uh) is a classic Spanish rice dish made with rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood cooked and served in one pan.
The marriage of fresh seafood, meat and spices is one that must be coaxed and sweated over…there is nothing mechanical about creating food art!
Unless you are a Robot.
As The Guardian reported:
“Since it was unveiled at a hospitality industry fair last month, the world’s first robotic paellero has been causing a bit of a stir. Set the programme, load the sofrito, rice, stock and seafood, leave it alone and the robotic arm, which is hooked up to a computerised stove, will do the rest.”
Let me add the next line:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
The robotic Paella making Chef is a joint project between a company called “br5” (Be A Robot 5) and a Paella stove manufacturer called Mimcook – and they say there is interest from hotel and restaurant chains,
Check out my story on this Paella-making machine here – and I included a “human made” Paella recipe to make it worth your time:
Look, robots are part of our world – they have been for awhile and are becoming more a part of our daily lives everyday in the future – but there is something to be said about the “creative artistry” of cooking that can’t be mechanized like this…
I simply don’t see how a dish with this much flavor and passion can be broken down into a “combine all ingredients and stir” mentality.
Still, thanks to The Guardian for reporting the story.
Of course, I made some traditional Spanish Paella recently:
I love it so much – I use Langoustines, Mussels, Clams, Chorizo and Chicken Thighs and of course lots of Saffron and Smoky Paprika as well! You can see the entire recipe here:
I’ve shared stories of Robot Chefs before – because it’s part of our food future to be sure:
Would I eat a cheeseburger made by a robot? Would you?
Click here to see one making your next meal!
And we aren’t the first ones to explore this new world – remember this ramen-making and serving “Chef” from China?
It’s the wave of the future so get used to it – you can see the entire story here:
Just to prove I’m not “Anti-Robot”, I have also shared what I thought was a fun idea:
Robot Bartenders!
This I can understand: the basics of a mixed drink are simpler – and anyway, it’s in Las Vegas so what do you expect?
Click here to see more pictures and a video of a Cocktail-making Robot:
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Categories: Food, food blog, Food Review, New York, Pop Culture, Recipes, Restaurants, Technology, Travel, Wacky Food, what the Friday
johnrieber 
Nah.
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The fried chicken looks fine to eat. But the downside of all those robots in the restauarant business is the loss of jobs and careers for people. This craze for cost-cutting robots is going to cause a lot more unemployment in the future, then fewer people will be able to afford the food!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great point Pete…machines making people unnecessary…
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