Kimchi and bibimbap are just two popular Korean dishes that have gained widespread popularity but there’s another dish that’s so delightfully addictive, hardcore fans have sprung up from all over the world: Korean style chicken! Already various franchise restaurants specializing in Korean-style chicken have opened in parts of Asia, North America, Europe and beyond and their popularity has only increased in recent years thanks to their appearance in popular Korean television dramas and movies. There are chicken restaurants just about everywhere in Seoul but here’s a look at some of the best ones to stop by.

To take it back to an original style, pay a visit to “N Center” in Myeongdong. This center has been operating for over 50 years specializing in its rotisserie-style chicken called tongdak. Their expertise in roasting their chicken is clear once the whole bird is set on your table with its crisp skin, juicy meat, and the grease sapped away during its roasting. The restaurant also specializing in the popular samgyetang (or ginseng chicken soup) if you’re looking for something heartier.
Of course, for those looking for more of the sinful variety of chicken, Seoul has its share of fried chicken restaurants, many which hold quite a bit of history to it. “H-jan eh chooeok” or “Hanchu” for short, in Sinsa has long been known for their crispy chicken as well as their fried peppers. Another oldie but goodie is “Y-jae dakjib” in Yangjaedong known for their low prices and huge servings of the delicious Korean style fried chicken.

On the north side of the Han River, favorites include “G-yeolsa” -which was formerly known as “Cheers Chicken”- and “S” Chicken. Interestingly, both happen to be found quite close to each other in Buamdong. G-yeolsa’s chicken comes with fried potatoes and is known for their thinner coating and non-greasy chicken and is often paired with their just-as-popular golbaengi muchim or spicy sea whelks with noodle. In the same neighborhood is “S” chicken whose big chunks of perfectly fried chicken is unusually paired with mung bean sprouts and a pepper-infused soy sauce dressing which converts even the deepest skeptics after their first try.

And speaking of unusual, there are a few, off-the-norm varieties of famed fried chicken restaurants around town. Garlic lovers can head to “M-rak chicken” near Gyeongbokgung Palace known for their chicken which comes with a mound of diced garlic on top and all on a sizzling hot pan. “B-po chicken” near Gubanpo station has a somewhat healthier garlic variety in which the chicken is roasted and then glazed with an extra garlicky sauce but certainly no less potent! Yet another garlicky establishment with pedigree is “S-seong Tongdak” in Seongbuk-gu Anamdong for their sweet garlic glazed fried chicken which they’ve been serving for over 30 years.

“S-rona Hof” in Cheongdamdong is popular with chicken lovers for their curry chicken in which the fried chicken comes with a generous dose of curry powder on top. You can ask for as much curry powder as you want here which may sound strange for first timers but curry powder is actually a secret ingredient of many Korean fried chicken restaurants in their addictive batter! Another unusual variety is the hanbang chicken at “H-bang Tongdakgui” in Hannamdong. Here, the chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice, jujubes, and other ingredients, similarly to samgyetang. It’s then spit roasted over oak wood to leave a perfectly crispy skin with tender meat inside.

But even outside the establishments I’ve introduced in today’s segment, the beauty of chicken in Seoul is that new and different varieties are being introduced constantly by both independent and franchise chicken shops. Recent varieties have included extra spicy fried chicken, carbonara chicken, peppers-encrusted fried chicken, and more. All this just goes to show that Seoul just may be the global capital of fried chicken!