10 Chicken & Beer Places for Your Night Out in Seoul

A match made in Korean food heaven: crispy fried chicken (“chi”) and ice-cold beer (maekju), also widely known as chimaek. If you find yourself hungry and wandering the bustling streets of Seoul, then you won’t go wrong with this amazing combo. It may not sound as exotic as other culinary specialities in South Korea, but it’s a must-try nevertheless. On late-night beer runs, there’s no dish more inviting than chicken and beer in Seoul. Ready to give it a try?

Also read: My 10-Day Seoul Itinerary: What to See, Eat, and Do!

Best restaurants in Seoul for chicken and beer

1. BHC Chicken

Chicken is everywhere in Seoul, and if you want super-tasty fried chicken, you won’t go wrong hitting BHC. It’s one of the most popular fried chicken franchises in South Korea, with more than a thousand branches across the country. That means it’s relatively easy to pop in one of the many branches for a delicious meal of chicken and beer. Travellers typically visit the Myeongdong branch for late-night cravings, as it’s open until midnight.

Crunchy skin, juicy meat, and flavourful seasoning — there’s no wonder why BHC is thriving. BHC’s sweet garlic soy sauce chicken remains a long-running best-seller, but you won’t run out of interesting fried chicken iterations to try here.   

Address: 21 Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu

2. Kyochon

Hunting down the crispiest chicken to go with your beer? Kyochon Chicken should definitely be in the running. Many call this one of the best fried chicken joints in South Korea, and we understand the sentiment. Each plate of chicken is made fresh upon ordering and prepared to perfection — the crunch will almost surprise you! Signature soy sauce is a good choice but try the spicier red original, too, if you can.

Pro tip: You can order half-and-half to try at least two flavours in one sitting.

While there are multiple Kyochon outlets in Seoul for your chicken and beer fix, the Hongdae branch remains among the most frequented due to its accessibility.  

Address: 371-3 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu

Also read: 15 Affordable Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals in Seoul for Budget Travellers

3. Chicken in the Kitchen

The wildly popular Chicken in the Kitchen gained widespread popularity after being featured on TV, but it continues attracting people in droves thanks to its top-notch fried chicken. Foodies who enjoy a spicy kick won’t be able to get enough of the restaurant’s signature fried chicken. Light and crunchy bites paired with potato wedges and beer? Sign us up for that!

Address: 4-42 Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu

4. Hanchu

When talking about Seoul spots serving chicken and beer, we can’t leave out Hanchu. The local favourite has been around for over two decades, making it a must-visit for true-blue chimaek enthusiasts in Seoul. Don’t expect fancy interiors or Instagrammable décor; instead, come for the fare.

Hanchu is well-known for its double-fried chicken cooked with chilli peppers inside. Locals also swear by the pork-stuffed chilli peppers, as well as the extensive selection of booze. (If you want the chimaek experience, you have to get the beer.) Here, the food’s so good that Korean celebrities have even been known to visit this spot!

Address: 68 Nonhyeon-ro 175-gil, Gangnam-gu

Also read: 11 Most Iconic K-Pop MV Locations That Fans Will Love

5. Gyeyeolsa

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s a delicious combo of Seoul chicken and beer in Gyeyeolsa. The restaurant delivers perfectly golden and crispy fried chicken every time — and to the delight of potato lovers, Gyeyeolsa’s chicken is served with a generous helping of potato wedges on the side. 

Be prepared to wait, though, as people from all over Korea flock to Gyeyeolsa for their famous fried chicken. Long lines outside are a regular sight, so come early for your meal if you’re hungry.

Address: 7 Baekseokdong-gil, Jongno-gu

6. Kkanbu

Whether you’re craving chicken wings, tenders, or boneless chicken, you’ll be sure to find an order to suit your tastes at Kkanbu. There’s also a dizzying array of delicious flavours available, so many that a first-timer may find it hard to pick just one. A few crowd favourites: garlic soy, crispy chicken, and boneless chicken with tteokbokki.

Moreover, Kkanbu’s modern design is a fantastic fit for nights out with friends. Groups up for copious amounts of chicken and beer in Seoul will find that this late-night joint is a gem.

Address: 3 Samseong-ro 96-gil, Gangnam-gu

7. Oppa Dak

Chimaek in Seoul, but make it healthy? The Korean diner Oppa Dak is best known for impeccably oven-baked chicken, cooked at a very high temperature to achieve peak crunch and juiciness. It’s comparably tasty to the best fried chicken out there, but less sinful and less oily. You can even opt to skip the chicken skin if you really want the healthiest version! 

Different flavours add zest to Oppa Dak’s baked chicken. Try Hyangra chicken, which is prepared with a mix of savoury spices and sprinkled generously with garlic flakes and dried red peppers.

Address: 21 Myeongdong 7-gil, Euljiro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu

8. Pelicana Chicken

An institution in the culinary circles of South Korea, Pelicana has been making fried chicken for Koreans since 1982. This is a chicken franchise with over 1,000 branches around the country, so you better not miss trying out their take on chicken and beer when you’re in Seoul. 

Some say Pelicana came up with the original sweet and spicy sauce that Korean fried chicken is best known for! At this point, the 30-year-old recipe of Pelicana’s seasoned chicken is practically a national treasure.

Note: It also has branches in other countries like the United States and China.

Address:강남프라자 1층, Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu

9. Two Two Chicken

Another well-loved chicken and beer diner in Seoul is Two Two Chicken, a shop also known as Dul Dul Chicken with well over a hundred branches. Even after over 30 years, it’s still a favourite among locals and tourists! Diners can pick between fried chicken, seasoned chicken, or half of each. Flavours include soy, spicy soy, and teriyaki, among others.

Address: 5 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-gu

10. Goobne

Finally, there’s Goobne, a chimaek spot in Seoul that’s well-known for its sumptuous take on roast chicken. Extra-juicy with thin, crisp skin, it’s a good alternative to fried chicken when you’re on the hunt for something a bit healthier. Looking for something to pair with cold beer? The spicy roast chicken pairs wonderfully with a mug of maekju.

Address: 224-11, Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu

Also read: 15 Underrated Places in South Korea That You Should Experience

There you go, just some of the places in Seoul you can visit for a delicious chicken and beer run! We’re suddenly craving a plateful of fried chicken and an icy glass of alcohol. What about you?

---

Featured image credit: Joshua Resick via Canva Pro