Hyodam Kalguksu Dak Hanmari Myeongdong Bonjeom 효담칼국수 닭한마리 명동본점

One floor below street level in Myeongdong, the dakhanmari, a whole-chicken hot pot, comes in a clear, mild broth with meat that falls off the bone. Each person gets roughly half a chicken plus potato, rice cakes and plenty of stock, while pepper and dadaegi, a red chili paste, adjust the seasoning. Gamjachae-jeon, a shredded potato pancake, is crisp outside and chewy inside, dipped in soy sauce. Self-serve rice is cooked a little firm on purpose so it holds up in the broth. Service can lag when the floor is busy, as only a few staff cover the hall.