Seoul Guide Fried Chicken · Chi-maek · Late Night

Best Famous Korean fried chicken(치킨) Spots in Seoul

From crisp-skinned baskets that perfume the street with garlic and soy to charcoal-kissed chicken and the city’s best pre- and post-chicken hangouts—this is your tasty, no-fail route to a perfect 치맥 night in Seoul.

Book on CATCHTABLE
Zaruyaki Yongsanro charcoal-grilled chicken in sieve

1. Zaruyaki Yongsanro (자루야키용산로 신용산본점) Sinyongsan

Hours 11:30–02:00 (Break 14:00–16:00) Address 13, Hangang-daero 40ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (1F–2F) Value Charcoal craft • 7-part chicken flight

Before we dive into the deep-fried, meet Seoul’s charcoal chicken whisperer: juices locked in, edges lightly lacquered with smoke, aromas of oak and rendered fat curling in the air. It’s not fried, but the sizzling basket arrives with that same can’t-wait-to-dive-in energy—and pairs beautifully with a cold highball. If classic chicken joints celebrate crunch, Zaruyaki celebrates texture and aroma.

Inspired by Fukuoka’s three-generation zaru-yaki masters, the team uses 72-hour low-temp matured charcoal and plays vintage ’80s tunes for a retro-cool vibe guarded by the mythical Haetae motif.

  • Order this: Seven-part zaru-yaki (neck, heart, gizzard, thigh, etc.) with a citrusy highball.
TIPS
Public holidays follow weekend business hours; late-night seats move fast—plan ahead on CATCHTABLE.
User Review
“So good I’m coming back to try the rest of the menu.”
Itaewon Silby Disco terrace with retro speakers

2. Itaewon Silby Disco (이태원 실비디스코) Itaewon

Hours 17:00–00:30 Address 42 Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (3F, Process Itaewon) Value Terrace energy • chef-driven small plates

A few subway stops from Yongsan, switch to full-on chi-maek mood: crisp beer, retro vinyl, breezy terrace, and punchy plates built by a Michelin-trained chef. Start here before your fried chicken run or wind down after the last wing—this patio makes everything taste like a weekend.

Inside, vintage speakers spin retro tracks while seafood-forward, street-food-style dishes land hot and fast—perfect with drinks and friends.

  • Order this: Kimchi-cheese pancake and seasoned sea snails to prime your palate for a chicken crawl.
TIPS
Event nights can extend hours—check the latest on CATCHTABLE and arrive early for terrace seats.
User Review
“Everything hits—food, vibe, and that terrace. I keep coming back week after week.”
Italyhall Yangjae cozy interior

3. Italyhall Yangjae (이태리회관 양재점) Yangjae

Hours 17:00–01:00 Address 101ho, 34-12 Eonnam 11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul Value Date-night cozy • 20-year chef experience

Prefer your chicken spicy and saucy between baskets? This locals’ favorite serves a skillet of dakgalbi that hisses as it arrives, the chile aroma rising over a glass of wine. It’s not a fryer joint, but it scratches the chicken itch with a joyful kick before you roam for late-night wings.

Near Yangjae Citizen’s Forest, this dining bar blends trattoria comfort with Seoul’s easygoing night-out rhythm.

  • Order this: Dakgalbi + “hangover” pasta set—bold, satisfying, and great for sharing.
TIPS
Limited on-site parking (one vehicle). Call ahead for parking assistance and smoother arrivals.
User Review
“Perfect anniversary spot—so good I’m already planning to be a regular.”
Indian Restaurant Taj with cathedral view

4. Indian Restaurant Taj (인도음식점 타지 명동성당점) Myeongdong

Hours 11:30–22:00 (Break 15:00–17:30) Address 2F, 73 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul Value Halal meats • postcard views

When you’ve polished off a basket of yangnyeom chicken nearby, reset with tandoor perfume and cathedral views—smoky chicken tikka, buttery naan, and curries that calm the heat while keeping the party lively. Travelers flock here for its easygoing spice and landmark outlook.

Since 2000, Taj’s hotel-trained Indian chefs have served a crowd-pleasing menu in an elegant, quietly romantic room.

  • Order this: Tandoori chicken plus garlic naan—beer-friendly, restorative, and share-ready.
TIPS
CATCHTABLE books regular tables only; window seats via Naver. Nearby paid parking lots (e.g., Myeongdong Cathedral Familia, KFB) don’t validate.
User Review
“Shrimp-loaded curry, fragrant barbecue, and chewy garlic naan—felt like a mini vacation in the middle of Myeongdong.”
Insaeng Suljip Garak market bar interior

5. Insaeng Suljip (인생술집 가락시장점) Garak

Hours 13:00–02:00 Address B1F, 932, Yangjae-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul Value Market regulars’ favorite • late-night comfort

This is where chicken nights linger—warm lighting, easy drinks, and market-style anju that keeps conversation rolling. If your crew loves lively spots after crisp wings, you’ll feel at home among Garak’s seasoned regulars.

With a host boasting 30+ years of experience, the kitchen favors heartfelt cooking and a “stay-a-while” rhythm that fits second (and third) rounds.

  • Order this: A spread of market-style snacks and a crisp lager; ask staff for the day’s best pairing.
Heads-up
Expect a lived-in market vibe and potential weekend waits; off-peak hours are calmer for small groups.
Ililsa cozy culinary pub interior

6. Ililsa (일일사) Seoul Station

Hours 11:30–00:00 (Break 14:00–18:00) Address 114 Duteopbawi-ro 1-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Value Wine & spirits • handcrafted plates

For a quieter chicken-night chapter, this gastropub leans refined—clean flavors, well-built drinks, and the unhurried calm you want for real conversation. It’s an elegant pre-game before fried chicken, or a thoughtful after where you recap the night.

Classic-meets-casual design sets the mood for handmade dishes paired to a polished list of wines and spirits.

  • Order this: A couple of shareable plates and a light, chilled white—save room for your next chicken basket.
Ilwol Noodle Shop handmade udon and tempura

7. Ilwol Noodle Shop (일월의 제면소) Anam

Hours 10:30–21:00 (Break 16:00–17:00) Address 41-3, Gaeunsa-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Value Handmade udon • tempura crunch

After a salty, sticky-fingered fried chicken feast, few things reset your palate like a bowl of shimmering broth and springy hand-pulled noodles. The tempura’s delicate crackle nods back to the fryer—lighter, cleaner, just as addictive.

Craft and care show in every detail, from flour and water to the final bowl; the room feels like a small workshop of calm.

  • Order this: Assorted tempura and signature udon—gentle, restorative, and quietly craveable.
Allergy note
Shrimp or egg allergies? Let the team know in advance for safer ordering.
User Review
“Beautiful plating, bouncy noodles, and a broth that’s straight-up art—I’m already a repeat.”
Jaok Seongsu izakaya interior and sashimi

8. Jaok (자옥) Seongsu

Hours 17:00–01:00 Address 6, Seongdeokjeong 21-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (1F) Value Quiet izakaya • detail-obsessed service

When you want to slow the night after a frenzy of drumsticks, this serene izakaya serves clean flavors and neat pours. The plating is precise, the lighting gentle, and every small detail—from glassware to the spotless restroom—signals care.

It’s the kind of intimate room that turns a simple chicken night into a memory; seats are limited, so timing helps.

  • Order this: Fresh sashimi and a light sake to refresh after fried foods.
User Review
“Every dish delighted, and even the tiny touches felt special—I’m definitely coming back.”
Junghwa Japanese Restaurant Magok counter dishes

9. Junghwa Japanese Restaurant (일본요리집정화) Magok

Hours 17:00–00:00 Address 6, Magokjungang 5-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul Value Blue Ribbon-listed • small izakaya charm

For a chicken-adjacent detour, this compact izakaya trades crunch for clarity—a neat line-up of snacks, balanced seasoning, and an easy drinks list that won’t overpower your palate. It’s a calming pit stop between lively chicken joints.

Finding it is half the fun; once downstairs, you’re welcomed with friendly service and detail-driven plates.

  • Order this: Chef’s recommended snacks with a premium malt—clean, steady, and satisfying.
Finding it
Enter via the main entrance of Mabuja’s fresh pork belly; take the stairs down. From the subway, follow the escalator by the wedding hall and turn left at the barber.
User Review
“Great family time—clean flavors and kind service throughout.”
Il Terrazzo spacious Italian dining room

10. Il Terrazzo (일떼라쪼) Yeongdeungpo

Hours 11:00–22:00 (Break 15:00–17:00) Address 3F, 8 Yangpyeong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul Value Big-room comfort • approachable pricing

If your chicken squad wants a broader table—wine, pasta, and space to spread out—Il Terrazzo offers an elegant reset. Sunlit, roomy, and easy to please a group, it’s a great place to begin before chasing crispy wings.

The exterior is striking, the room generous; service favors an easy, social pace that suits group plans.

  • Order this: Value-forward set menus for the table; add a crisp salad to keep things light.
User Review
“Loved the atmosphere, price, and taste—booked our next visit on the spot. One small wish: bring back the pre-meal bread on the set!”
Glowing charcoal under chicken at Zaruyaki Yongsanro

Why book now?

Seoul’s chicken nights run on rhythm—golden baskets that sell out, terraces that pack up, and late-night bars that hit capacity just as your appetite peaks. A few smart clicks on CATCHTABLE keep the crunch coming without the chaos.

Fastest seats
Zaruyaki’s late-night tables and Ililsa’s early slots go quickly; Ilwol’s 16:00–17:00 break is real—time your noodle stop.
Event & policy check
Silby Disco occasionally extends hours for events; Taj’s window seats aren’t bookable via CATCHTABLE—regular tables only.
Match the mood
Terrace buzz (Itaewon Silby Disco), charcoal purists (Zaruyaki), locals-first late nights (Insaeng Suljip), quiet dates (Jaok), scenic resets (Taj).
See Real-Time Seats on CATCHTABLE