Dakgalbi (Pan Fried Chicken)
Seoul Travel Guide / November 07, 2016 
Image credit: Craig Nagy/Flickr Korean dishes are known for packing plenty of flavor – and dakgalbi is no exception.
This popular Korean street food starts with pieces of diced chicken marinated in gochujang, a kind of chili pepper paste that is the base of plenty of marinades, dips, and sauces. These chicken bits are then stir fried in a cast iron pan with cabbage, sweet potato, scallions, perilla leaves, and rice cake.
Originating in the city of Chuncheon in Gangwon Province in the late 1960’s, dakgalbi was created as a cheaper alternative to grilled meats as anju, or bar fare. The locals couldn’t get enough of it that dakgalbi restaurants sprouted in different parts of the city, even giving birth to a dakgalbi alley – yes, an alley of dakgalbi eateries. If that’s not enough, Chuncheon pays tribute to dakgalbi by means of an annual autumn festival.
Here’s where to get the best dakgalbi in Seoul.
- YOOGANE | Mapo-gu
For the much-sought after and most famous dakgalbi in Seoul
What to order: Octopus and chicken galbi, Mozzarella-stuffed rice cakes, Chicken barbecue rice
Price range: 5,000 to 15,000 won ($4.37 to $13.10)
When: 10:45 - 00:00 daily
Where: 163-11 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul - CHUNCHEONJIP DAKGALBI MAKGUKSU |Seodaemum-ga
For delectable dishes, inexpensive prices and cozy atmosphere that earned the restaurant a massive number of devotees
What to order: Cheese dakgalbi, Octopus duruchigi, Octopus meal dakgalbi
Price range: 4,000 to 8,000 won ($3.49 to $6.99)
When: 10:00 - 18:00 daily
Where: 1, Yonsei-ro, 5 Ga-gil, Seodaemum-ga, Seoul - MAPO SUTBUL GABI | Nonhyun-dong
For spotting Korean actors and celebrities while enjoying dakgalbi
What to order: Wang-seng galbi, Pork belly, Raw crab
Pricing: 30,000 won per person ($26.20)
When: 24 hours daily
Where: 2-6 Gangnam-gu, Nonhyeon-dong
