Special Korean fried chicken(치킨) & More: Best Eats in Seoul

Start where the crunch is elegant. Shimesaba arrives springy and richly aromatic, fried squid legs land crackly and feather-light, and a lightly blistered rice cake finishes with a toasty chew. The room is modern and intimate, ideal when you want a polished foil to the guilty-pleasure joy of 치킨.

• Order this: Shimesaba, fried squid legs, and grilled rice cake with a chilled junmai or a crisp white.

A small, ten-seat sanctuary run by a Japanese chef and sake sommelier, perfect when you want to slow the night after something crispy. Glass pours and bottles are matched to clean, focused flavors that reset your palate without losing momentum.

• Order this: Reserve the saury sushi in advance; then let the sommelier steer a flight by the glass.

When the craving shifts from crunch to comfort, this American-style bar answers with layered cocktails and a seriously thick burger that eats like a main event. Aromas of seared beef and citrus zest mingle, making it a happy pit stop between rounds of 치킨 and late-night plans.

• Order this: The house burger with a classic highball or your bartender’s seasonal favorite.

A petite alley restaurant that connects Asian spices to a tidy, dialed-in wine list. Think warm lighting, clink of glasses, and plates that keep pace with conversation—ideal for a date after shared chicken or a cozy first stop before the night gets loud.

• Order this: Ask staff to match bolder dishes to aromatic whites or chillable reds.

Here, Japanese ingredients arrive as tidy small plates—bright, balanced, and easy to share. It’s the kind of place where fried cravings segue into lighter bites, so your evening stays delicious without feeling heavy.

• Order this: A spread of tapas and a light pour; let the staff pace the table.

Cool, briny plates that reset the senses after a fried feast. Oysters arrive bright and fresh, while the yellowtail eats mild and clean—an easy match for late-night sake or beer when you want to keep things light.

• Order this: Fresh oysters and a bottle of junmai daiginjo for a crisp, food-friendly pairing.

A tuna specialist where maturation brings out silk and savor—belly to back, texture to temperature. The course flows with side dishes that hit your fried-chicken itch from a different angle, like kushikatsu and chicken nanban for a sweet-tangy crunch.

• Order this: Tuna course with belly cuts; add kushikatsu on the side to keep the crunch motif going.

When you need a reset between late nights and fried feasts, this basement hideout leans Western with easy-going plates and a cult-favorite milk tea. The tonkatsu platter scratches that crunchy itch, while oil pastas deliver aromatic, peppery gloss without heaviness.

• Order this: Oil pasta plus the Emotional Katsu platter; finish with the cold-infused milk tea.

Bring the crew. Portions are generous, flavors are familiar, and the vibe stays easy—perfect for balancing a spicy chicken session with creamy, saucy plates that calm the palate.

• Order this: Shareable pastas and mains; a good option when you want a mellow, unhurried table.

A simple Italian specialist that wins on flavor clarity—just what you want when winding down after a spicy, crunchy 치킨 binge. The kind of place that makes you say, next time, we’re trying everything.

• Order this: Your favorite pasta-pizza duo; check CATCHTABLE for operating hours before you go.