Kyochon Pilbang 교촌필방

The door opens only when you pull down a giant brush hanging on the wall, a speakeasy-style entrance to Kyochon's premium restaurant near Itaewon Station. Inside, dim lighting and ink, brush and water motifs frame chicken fried noticeably crisper than at regular Kyochon shops. The black hop chicken carries only a faint hop aroma, and the chicken platter of wings and drumettes comes with a brush for painting on sauce. Portions are small, so several sides such as tteokbokki, fried peppers and fried gizzards tend to join the order, and grilled whole leg (jang-gak gui) is limited and sells out. A chef-served omakase runs separately, while the main hall is thinly staffed and food can be slow.