While many are familiar with the crispy, flavourful Korean fried chicken, Korean roast chicken offers a whole new level of deliciousness you might not have experienced yet.

At first glance, Korean roast chicken may seem like a mundane dish, but trust me, it’s anything but.

Before fried chicken took Korea by storm in the 1980s, rotisserie roasted whole chickens were a beloved food. And it’s easy to see why. Korean roast chicken is often roasted with glutinous rice and herbs, adding depth and richness to the flavor. You can find this dish as street food from food trucks, where the chicken is roasted to perfection.

However, at some restaurants, like the one I visited, the chicken is served on a sizzling stone plate, creating a crispy layer of scorched rice known as 누룽지 (Nurungji), which adds a satisfying crunch to every bite.

The original flavour is already a taste of perfection, but the variations are where it gets even more interesting. You can explore flavours like Garlic, Rose, Malatang, and Tomato Curry, with optional delicious extras like corn and cheese to enhance the experience.

I recently ordered the garlic-flavoured chicken and added buttered corn. The combination was out of this world, earning a solid 10/10. The photos might not do it justice, but the taste was absolutely top-tier. If you haven’t tried Korean roast chicken yet, I highly recommend it—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

No meal is complete without the right side dishes. For a perfect pairing, add a bowl of 비빔국수 (Bibim Guksu)—spicy cold noodles that provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, flavorful chicken. Pairing this with a refreshing beer will take your dining experience to the next level, transforming a simple meal into something unforgettable.

No gatekeeping here, be sure to check out:

장작집 연남본점
19, World Cup buk-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Instagram: @jib.company

Opens daily 5PM – Midnight

And for those not close to the Hongdae side, here’s another highly recommended place:

왕십리누룽지통닭
297, Gosanja-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Opens daily 4PM – 1AM

Edited by Isabel Miller.