Gongneung Dakhanmari(공릉닭한마리)

Cuisine

Chicken(닭요리전문점)

District

Seodaemun(서대문구),Seoul

Address

Seoul Seodaemun-gu Yeonsero2da-gil 54

A dak-hanmari (whole chicken soup) restaurant near Sinchon and Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, beloved for over a decade for its clean broth and addictive house-made dipping sauce. A whole chicken arrives in the pot, and staff cut it into manageable pieces before simmering for about ten minutes until perfectly tender. The defining element is a special sauce blending soy-based seasoning with spicy dadaegi paste, which transforms every piece of chicken when paired with shredded cabbage. The three-stage dining ritual — eating the chicken, then adding knife-cut noodles to the remaining broth, and finishing with egg porridge — is what keeps diners returning. Slicing in cheongyang chili peppers adds a fiery kick, and later adding kimchi with seasoning paste to create a kimchi kalguksu variation is another excellent approach. A newer annex building has shortened wait times compared to the past, but arriving before noon on weekdays is still advisable as the restaurant reaches capacity quickly. Portions are generous relative to the price, and the hot broth functions effectively as a hangover remedy. The clientele spans younger generations to middle-aged regulars to international tourists, and staff maintain a welcoming and attentive demeanor even during the busiest periods. Groups of five or more can order additional whole chickens along with extras such as green onions, mushrooms, potatoes, and rice cakes for a satisfying shared meal.