Eat Like a Local: Korean fried chicken(치킨) in Seoul

Start your chicken night the way Seoulites do—somewhere cozy, polished, and snack-forward. Oroshi’s open kitchen shows off clean, precise prep while the frying and grilling happen out back, keeping the room fragrant with citrusy shoyu and warm rice instead of heavy oil. Aged sashimi and hotel-quality appetizers set a calm rhythm before you chase that first golden bird elsewhere.

• Order this: Mackerel sushi and a staff-recommended sake pairing to whet the appetite.

A few subway stops away, OROAT is where locals glide from crispy chicken cravings to composed plates and forest-park views. The kitchen leans seasonal and deft, the kind of place where each bite resets your palate and the lighting slows the evening to a comfortable heartbeat.

• Order this: Ask for the day’s seasonal special and pair with a light, cold sake.

After a late plate of yangnyeom or garlic soy wings in Itaewon, locals slide upstairs to this spacious, music-filled diner for a sweet-salty cooldown. Think stacks, burgers, and pasta—comfort that pairs shockingly well with the residual heat of fried chicken and beer.

• Order this: A thick burger or pasta to reset after a spicy chicken feast.

If your chicken night stretches south of the river, slide into this chef-led Japanese pub where technique takes the lead. From aged sashimi to hot pots and crisp tempura, the food is composed and comforting—the kind of second round that keeps conversation flowing.

• Order this: Signature meal set (about 35,000 KRW) to sample the kitchen’s range.

The morning after chimaek, locals reach for chew and crunch in equal measure. Freshly baked bagels, hefty fillings, and sunlight pouring over four floors make this an easy reset before you map the next fried-chicken stop.

• Order this: A classic bagel sandwich with plenty of greens to bring you back to life.

When you want a palate cleanse between crispy chicken nights, this is the move. Seiromushi—light, clean, and deeply comforting—softens the edges after spicy sauces while the quiet room lets you actually hear each other again.

• Order this: A seiromushi set with seasonal sides; add sashimi or nabe if you want heartier.

In Gangnam, locals refuel on bright, well-seasoned brunch before a day of exploring chicken alleys from Sinsa to Apgujeong. Sunlight, espresso, and runny yolks are a tried-and-true pregame before the evening’s clink of frosty glasses.

• Order this: Eggs Benedict and a crisp salad to keep things light for later.

A calmer, leafy counterpart near Itaewon’s chicken scene, this spot is ideal for easy conversations, window views, and resetting before exploring another sauce spectrum at night.

• Order this: A light brunch set and coffee; save room for evening wings.

A few blocks from Seoul Forest, this cheerful jumak is where a fried-chicken night wraps up with small plates and craft makgeolli. The vibe is friendly and unhurried—the kind of third act where laughter lands softly and the city feels like yours.

• Order this: Ask staff for a seasonal anju and a balanced traditional liquor pairing.

Cap a crispy-soy night in Hongdae/Yeonnam with a modern, softly lit dining room where plates feel composed but deeply comforting. By day it’s brunch and coffee; by evening, wine and mains—an elegant exhale after the snap and spice of chicken.

• Order this: Share a main and a glass of wine; let the room slow time a little.