10 Best Korean Fried Chicken Spots in Seoul (2026) | Chimaek Guide

Seoul food guide · 2026 edition · 한국어 요약 바로 보기

One evening, one plate of Korean fried chicken, one cold beer. The hard part is choosing where to go. This Seoul chimaek guide gives you ten specific stops, what to order and the kind of evening each one suits.

Quick pick: Hanchu for a classic chicken-and-beer evening; Hyodo for a distinctive soy, pepper and anchovy combination; Gyeyeolsa for old-style chicken and potatoes. Staying in Myeongdong? BHC and Two Two are the local options in this list.

How this Top 10 works: These are editorial picks based on documented menu specialties, neighborhood fit and variety of experience. The order is our travel-planning judgment, not an official ranking, survey of foreign visitors or first-hand taste test. Sources were reviewed on 8 September 2026; some source articles are older. Check the exact branch’s current operation, menu, prices and last order before traveling.

Choose your neighborhood

Jump to: 1. Hanchu · 2. Hyodo Chicken — Gwanghwamun · 3. Gyeyeolsa — Buam-dong · 4. Kyochon Pilbang · 5. Ddobagi Chicken — Sangsu / Hongdae · 6. BHC Chicken — Myeongdong · 7. Mirak Chicken — Gyeongbokgung · 8. Chicken in the Kitchen · 9. Kkanbu Chicken — Sinsa Station · 10. Two Two Fried Chicken — Myeongdong 2nd Branch

1. Hanchu

한추 · Sinsa / Garosu-gil

Make this your pick when the evening matters as much as the chicken. Hanchu pairs a familiar fried-chicken order with a distinctive side: stuffed green peppers. Eater highlights both the chicken-and-beer setting and the peppers, while Visit Seoul lists the same Garosu-gil-area address.

Start with: Fried chicken (후라이드치킨) and stuffed fried peppers (고추튀김).

Why #1: Our first choice for a classic Seoul chicken-and-beer evening: a recognizable dish, a memorable side and a neighborhood you can explore before dinner.

Address: 68 Nonhyeon-ro 175-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
서울 강남구 논현로175길 68

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: Choose this for a Garosu-gil evening. Ask about the pepper filling and spice level before ordering.

Sources: Eater: Hanchu · Visit Seoul listing

2. Hyodo Chicken — Gwanghwamun

효도치킨 광화문점 · Gwanghwamun / Seochon

Hyodo is the choice for something beyond the usual plain-or-spicy decision. Its signature combines fried chicken with the savory ingredients of a Korean side dish. The Gwanghwamun branch has a Catchtable listing with its address and signature chicken.

Start with: Ggwa-ri Myeolchi Chicken (꽈리멸치킨): soy-seasoned chicken with shishito peppers and anchovies.

Why #2: Second for its distinctive flavor combination and useful location near the palace area. Hanchu takes first for the more straightforward classic chimaek introduction.

Address: 21-1 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 사직로8길 21-1

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: This signature includes fish. If anchovies are not for you, ask about the plain fried-chicken option.

Sources: Catchtable: branch and menu · Seoul city magazine: signature dish

3. Gyeyeolsa — Buam-dong

계열사 부암동 본점 · Buam-dong

For a simpler plate, put Gyeyeolsa on the list. Seoul’s tourism coverage calls out its old-style chicken and substantial potato wedges. The Buam-dong setting makes it a different outing from a busy Myeongdong dinner.

Start with: Classic fried chicken with potato wedges.

Why #3: Third for a focused, traditional chicken experience. The extra journey to Buam-dong makes it less convenient for a short first visit than the top two.

Address: 7 Baekseokdong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 백석동길 7

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: Plan the Buam-dong journey in a map app; do not assume this branch is a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Station.

Sources: Visit Seoul: chicken and potatoes · Time Out: address and access

4. Kyochon Pilbang

교촌필방 · Itaewon

Pilbang brings the Kyochon name into a more designed dining setting. The Soul of Seoul documents its brush-themed entrance and an elevated take on chicken and beer; Visit Seoul identifies it as the brand’s Itaewon flagship.

Start with: Kyochon Original, or a mixed platter if available on the current menu.

Why #4: Fourth for visitors who want atmosphere and a more special dinner setting. Its main advantage in this list is the venue experience.

Address: 127 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
서울 용산구 보광로 127

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: Check the current menu and booking requirements. Regular dining and any special tasting experience may have different arrangements.

Sources: The Soul of Seoul: venue guide · Visit Seoul: flagship listing

5. Ddobagi Chicken — Sangsu / Hongdae

또바기치킨 상수홍대점 · Sangsu

Ddobagi adds a neighborhood chicken-hof stop to a Hongdae itinerary. ZenKimchi highlights its classic chicken and spicy alternative, and Seoul’s official tourism guide lists the Sangsu/Hongdae location.

Start with: Ddobagi chicken or the hot-spice version; check the heat level before choosing.

Why #5: Fifth for old-school character and a different stop from the large chains. Choose it when you are already exploring the Hongdae–Sangsu area.

Address: 27 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
서울 마포구 와우산로 27

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: Search the full Korean branch name so your map opens the Wausan-ro location.

Sources: ZenKimchi: chicken guide · Visit Seoul: address

6. BHC Chicken — Myeongdong

BHC치킨 명동본점 · Myeongdong

This is the modern seasoning stop in the lineup. BHC’s Bburinkle uses a cheese-based seasoning, offering a clear contrast with plain fried chicken. Travel listings consistently place the Myeongdong branch at 21 Myeongdong 7-gil.

Start with: Bburinkle (뿌링클) for cheese-seasoned chicken; compare with a plain option if you prefer less sweetness.

Why #6: Sixth for a recognizable modern Korean chicken flavor and a useful shopping-area location. It is a better match for seasoning fans than for people seeking a restrained classic.

Address: 21 Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 명동7길 21

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: For takeaway, ask where to collect your order. A published visitor account describes a separate ordering area, but the current process may differ.

Sources: BHC menu · Bburinkle seasoning report · Ordinary Patrons: branch and takeaway

7. Mirak Chicken — Gyeongbokgung

미락치킨 경복궁본점 · Seochon / Gyeongbokgung

Mirak’s garlic chicken gives a palace-area itinerary another flavor direction. Trazy lists the iron-plate version as its main dish, and a 2025 visitor report repeats the same Jahamun-ro address and garlic-chicken specialty.

Start with: Iron-plate garlic chicken (철판마늘치킨).

Why #7: Seventh for travelers who actively want garlic-forward chicken. Its narrower flavor focus makes it a more specific choice than the earlier all-round stops.

Address: 17-1 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 자하문로 17-1

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: Use the Gyeongbokgung branch name: other businesses also use the name Mirak. Ask staff where to place the hot pan.

Sources: Trazy: branch and specialty · 2025 visitor report

8. Chicken in the Kitchen

치킨인더키친 · Hongdae

This Hongdae stop is particularly useful to investigate when a group has different food preferences. Diningcode lists garlic-soy chicken, while HappyCow reports a clearly labeled vegan menu alongside the restaurant’s meat dishes.

Start with: Garlic-soy chicken; ask for the separately labeled plant-based menu if needed.

Why #8: Eighth for its usefulness to a mixed-preference group. If a plant-based option is essential to your evening, move it higher in your personal shortlist.

Address: 4-42 Wausan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
서울 마포구 와우산로29길 4-42

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: Confirm the current plant-based menu and preparation details directly. This is a mixed-menu restaurant, not an entirely vegan venue.

Sources: Diningcode: address and menu · HappyCow: plant-based menu listing

9. Kkanbu Chicken — Sinsa Station

깐부치킨 신사역점 · Sinsa

Kkanbu is a practical chain option to keep on your Sinsa shortlist. The brand describes its Crispy Chicken as a spicy-savory classic, and both Trip.com and Tripadvisor list this branch at number 30 on Gangnam-daero 152-gil.

Start with: Crispy Chicken (크리스피치킨); ask about its spice level.

Why #9: Ninth because it works best as a nearby dinner option. The earlier entries offer a more distinctive reason to make a special trip.

Address: 30 Gangnam-daero 152-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Taewoong Building 1F
서울 강남구 강남대로152길 30 태웅빌딩 1층

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: Check the street number carefully: similarly named Sinsa-area listings can refer to different branches.

Sources: Kkanbu: Crispy Chicken · Trip.com: Sinsa branch

10. Two Two Fried Chicken — Myeongdong 2nd Branch

둘둘치킨 명동2호점 · Myeongdong

Two Two finishes the list with another classic-style choice in Myeongdong. Its original chicken offers a simpler alternative to a heavily seasoned order, and current travel listings identify this specific branch on Myeongdong 7-gil.

Start with: Original fried chicken, or ask whether a half-and-half order is available.

Why #10: Tenth as a convenient alternative while shopping in Myeongdong. This placement reflects the guide’s preference for distinctive destinations, not a measured score for food quality.

Address: 20-1 Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 명동7길 20-1

Find this branch on Naver Map · Google Maps search

Before you go: There are several Two Two listings around Myeongdong and Namsan. Match this branch to the 20-1 Myeongdong 7-gil address.

Sources: Trip.com: branch listing · Wanderlog: original chicken and menu

How to order chimaek

Chimaek (치맥) combines chicken (치킨) and maekju (맥주, beer). You can enjoy the chicken with a soft drink too. When choosing, start with the flavor and whether you want bone-in or boneless pieces.

Ask about portion size before ordering several dishes. Half-and-half combinations, boneless options and draft beer availability vary by branch. A menu name alone does not tell you every ingredient; ask the restaurant if you have a dietary restriction.

Three easy evening plans

After a palace visit: choose Hyodo for the signature combination or Mirak for garlic chicken. Save Gyeyeolsa for an outing that includes Buam-dong.

After shopping: keep the journey short with BHC or Two Two in Myeongdong, or Hanchu and Kkanbu in the Sinsa area.

For a dinner destination: look at Kyochon Pilbang in Itaewon. In Hongdae, compare Ddobagi’s classic style with Chicken in the Kitchen’s menu options.

서울 치맥 TOP 10 — 한국어 핵심 안내

외국인 여행자가 서울 동선에 맞춰 고를 수 있도록 정리한 치맥 10곳입니다. 공식 인기순위나 외국인 설문 순위가 아니라, 공개된 메뉴 특징과 여행 동선을 바탕으로 정한 편집 순위입니다. 직접 방문해 평가한 글로 작성하지 않았습니다.

1. 한추 — 서울 강남구 논현로175길 68
2. 효도치킨 광화문점 — 서울 종로구 사직로8길 21-1
3. 계열사 부암동 본점 — 서울 종로구 백석동길 7
4. 교촌필방 — 서울 용산구 보광로 127
5. 또바기치킨 상수홍대점 — 서울 마포구 와우산로 27
6. BHC치킨 명동본점 — 서울 중구 명동7길 21
7. 미락치킨 경복궁본점 — 서울 종로구 자하문로 17-1
8. 치킨인더키친 — 서울 마포구 와우산로29길 4-42
9. 깐부치킨 신사역점 — 서울 강남구 강남대로152길 30 태웅빌딩 1층
10. 둘둘치킨 명동2호점 — 서울 중구 명동7길 20-1

빠른 선택: 전형적인 치맥 분위기는 한추, 꽈리고추·멸치를 곁들인 색다른 맛은 효도치킨, 옛날 후라이드와 감자는 계열사, 공간을 즐기는 저녁은 교촌필방을 먼저 비교하십시오. 명동 숙소라면 BHC·둘둘치킨, 홍대 일정이라면 또바기·치킨인더키친으로 동선을 줄일 수 있습니다.

본문의 6장은 새로 제작한 AI 일러스트입니다. 해당 매장의 실물 사진·실제 상차림·매장 전망을 재현한 이미지가 아닙니다. 매장별 출처와 지도 검색 링크를 함께 제공하며, 가격·영업시간은 방문 전 해당 지점에서 다시 확인하십시오.

Next: get your Seoul arrival sorted

Planning your first evening in the city? Start with our Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX, Bus, Taxi & T-money Guide.