Top 4 Yangnyeom (Seasoned) Chicken Spots
- Yongseong Tongdak, the long-standing favorite on Suwon's Tongdak Street
- Mami Chicken in Daechi, Seoul — the nostalgic market-style whole chicken
- NamBu Tongdak in Wonju — one of Wonju's three legendary chicken shops
- Sinpo Dakgangjeong in Incheon — a Sinpo Market specialty
When a glossy, sweet-and-salty glaze envelopes the chicken, yangnyeom instantly comes to life. The deeply flavored sauce soaks into the crisp fried exterior and delivers a hit of savory umami with every bite. The contrast between a crunchy crust and a juicy interior, paired with that nostalgic sauce, is pure comfort food. It even stays delicious as it cools — one reason it never goes out of style. Here are four spots where you can taste yangnyeom chicken at its best.
Yongseong Tongdak — the long-standing favorite on Suwon's Tongdak Street
Yongseong Tongdak sits on Suwon's famous Tongdak Street. They’ve kept the warm, old-school name "tongdak" (whole fried chicken) for over 20 years. When you sit down, puffed macaroni snacks, salt, and pickled radish arrive as simple starters. Order a whole chicken and you’ll also get complimentary fried snack mixes and crispy chicken feet — a signature touch. The owner ages domestic whole chickens for several hours with a secret method, then fries them in a cauldron. The batter is satisfyingly crunchy while the meat stays tender and juicy. Their yangnyeom is sweet and nostalgic rather than overly aggressive. It’s a timeless flavor that keeps people coming back.
More on Siksin: 'Yongseong Tongdak'
- ✔위치
15 Jeongjo-ro 800beon-gil, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
- ✔영업시간
Daily 11:00 AM–11:00 PM; closed on Tuesdays
- ✔가격
Country-style whole chicken 18,000 KRW (≈ $13.50 USD) Fried chicken 18,000 KRW (≈ $13.50 USD) Half-and-half 19,000 KRW (≈ $14.25 USD) Yangnyeom chicken 19,000 KRW (≈ $14.25 USD)
Mami Chicken in Daechi, Seoul — nostalgic market-style whole chicken
Mami Chicken has been a beloved spot thanks to its market-style whole chicken. The interior channels old hof pub vibes, and the breezy terrace is perfect for a nostalgic evening out — which is why it’s almost always busy. They fry fresh domestic chickens every morning to a crisp, savory finish that pairs perfectly with a cold draft beer. The complimentary dried anchovies and peanuts add a charming, familiar touch. With small plates like spicy sea snails, fries, rolled omelet, and fish cake soup, it’s an ideal spot for a casual drink and a bite.
More on Siksin: 'Mami Chicken'
✔위치
Apt. A-110, Eunma Shopping Mall, 212 Samseong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
✔영업시간
Mon–Sat 3:00 PM–12:30 AM (last order 11:30 PM) / Sun 3:00 PM–11:30 PM (last order 10:30 PM)
✔가격
Whole fried chicken 21,000 KRW (≈ $15.75 USD) Yangnyeom chicken whole 24,000 KRW (≈ $18.00 USD)
NamBu Tongdak in Wonju — one of Wonju's three legendary chicken shops
NamBu Tongdak in Gaeun-dong, Wonju, has been run by the same family for three generations since 1977. The savory aroma outside makes it irresistible. In an open kitchen, they fry large birds in a cast-iron cauldron, yielding a crunchy crust and juicy, tender meat. The chicken has a naturally nutty aroma and just the right amount of seasoning, so it’s delicious even without extra sauce. Their sweet yangnyeom brings back classic, nostalgic flavors.
See more on Siksin: 'NamBu Tongdak' ▶
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▲Location
1774 Chiak-ro, Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea
- ▲영업시간
Tue–Sun 3:00 PM–10:00 PM / Closed every Monday
- ▲가격
Fried chicken 20,000 KRW (≈ $15.00 USD) Yangnyeom chicken 21,000 KRW (≈ $15.75 USD)
Sinpo Dakgangjeong — Incheon Sinpo Market specialty!
Sinpo Dakgangjeong is a perennial top pick at Sinpo Market. They fry the chicken until crisp, then toss it in a cauldron of sweet-and-spicy glaze that creates a deep, hard-to-imitate savory flavor. The sauce balances sweetness with heat, so it never feels greasy. The chicken stays crunchy even after it cools — in fact, some people prefer it that way. Because it’s so popular, be prepared for a line.
See more on Siksin: 'Sinpo Dakgangjeong' ▶
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▲Location
3 Woo-hyeon-ro 49beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
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▲영업시간
Tue–Sun 10:30 AM–8:30 PM (last order 8:20 PM) / Closed every Monday
- ▲가격
Large Dakgangjeong 24,000 KRW (≈ $18.00 USD) Large fried chicken 24,000 KRW (≈ $18.00 USD) Large half-and-half 25,000 KRW (≈ $18.75 USD)
