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Eunhakye Sinsadong: Must-Visit Charcoal Grilled Chicken Restaurant near Garosu-gil

Craving delicious charcoal grilled chicken in a trendy Seoul neighborhood? Look no further than Eunhakye (은화계) in Sinsadong! I recently visited this restaurant, a sister establishment to the popular Gye-go-gi-jip (계고기집) in Gongdeok, known for its amazing charcoal grilled chicken. While Gye-go-gi-jip has a more traditional, rustic vibe, Eunhakye in Sinsadong offers a more modern and casual dining experience.

Location and Atmosphere

Eunhakye is conveniently located in Sinsadong, just across the street from the bustling Garosu-gil. It’s easily accessible by public transportation, being a short distance from Sinsa Station. For those driving, valet parking is available for 5,000 KRW.

Stepping into Eunhakye, you’ll notice a clean and spacious interior with a casual ambiance. Unlike the more “Nopo” (old establishment) feel of Gye-go-gi-jip, Eunhakye presents a more modern and refined setting, perhaps reflecting its newer status and larger space. The restaurant is well-lit with some sections featuring large windows, creating an airy and comfortable atmosphere. I visited on a Saturday at 1 PM and found it pleasantly uncrowded, a welcome change from the usually packed dinner hours.

Menu Highlights – Charcoal Grilled Chicken & More

The star of the show at Eunhakye is undoubtedly their charcoal grilled chicken (숯불 닭구이). The menu is centered around various cuts of chicken, expertly grilled over charcoal right at your table. You can choose from Salt-grilled Chicken (소금구이), Marinated Chicken (양념구이), and the unique Chicken Neck Meat (닭 목살구이), a specialty of Eunhakye not found at Gye-go-gi-jip.

Beyond the main grilled chicken dishes, Eunhakye also offers a selection of delicious chicken giblets including Chicken Gizzard (근위), Chicken Heart (염통), and Chicken Cartilage (연골) for those seeking more adventurous flavors. To complement the grilled meats, they have satisfying side dishes like Bibim-guksu (비빔국수 – spicy mixed noodles) and Fried Rice (볶음밥).

The basic side dishes are also noteworthy, particularly their coleslaw, reminiscent of KFC’s, which pairs surprisingly well with grilled chicken. They also offer a spicy mayonnaise sauce and other dipping sauces to enhance your dining experience.

Detailed Dish Review

We started with the Fresh Chicken Neck Meat (생 목살구이 – 15,000 KRW per serving). This special cut, available only at Eunhakye, was incredibly flavorful and had a satisfyingly chewy texture, similar to thigh meat. The staff expertly grilled it for us, ensuring perfect doneness and a subtle smoky aroma from the charcoal.

Next, we tried the Salt-grilled Chicken (소금구이 – 13,000 KRW per serving). The wide thigh meat was juicy and tender, perfectly seasoned with salt to highlight the natural flavor of the high-quality chicken. The skin was crispy and the meat remained incredibly moist. It was recommended to enjoy it with a touch of salt or their special mayonnaise sauce, which surprisingly wasn’t too heavy and had a slight spicy kick.

The Marinated Chicken (양념구이 – 14,000 KRW per serving) was also a hit. Pre-cooked to some extent before grilling, the marinated chicken was flavorful without being overly sweet. The marinade had a slightly spicy edge, and for those who prefer sweeter flavors, a separate sweet chili sauce was provided. While both were excellent, I personally preferred the clean taste of the salt-grilled chicken.

For the giblets, the Chicken Heart (염통 – 12,000 KRW per serving) was a standout. Grilled to perfection, it was tender and flavorful, bringing back nostalgic memories of street food days. The Chicken Gizzard (근위 – 12,000 KRW per serving), also known as “chicken poop bag” (닭똥집), was chewy and savory, a perfect anju (side dish for drinks) for soju lovers. The Chicken Cartilage (연골 – 13,000 KRW per serving) provided a delightfully crunchy texture, another great option to enjoy with drinks.

Finally, the Bibim-guksu (비빔국수 – 6,000 KRW) was a refreshing and flavorful complement to the grilled chicken. Topped with chicken breast and onions, the noodles were perfectly seasoned with a savory and slightly tangy sauce, not overly spicy or sweet. The Fried Rice (볶음밥 – 6,000 KRW), cooked with chicken and vegetables, was a satisfying way to round off the meal.

Eunhakye vs. Gye-go-gi-jip

While both Eunhakye and Gye-go-gi-jip serve fantastic charcoal grilled chicken, Eunhakye offers a more refined and modern dining atmosphere. Gye-go-gi-jip is slightly cheaper and has a more traditional, “Nopo” vibe. Eunhakye, on the other hand, boasts a more spacious and comfortable setting, making it great for a more relaxed dining experience. The menu is similar, but Eunhakye exclusively offers the Chicken Neck Meat.

Overall Experience and Recommendation

Eunhakye in Sinsadong is a fantastic choice for anyone craving delicious charcoal grilled chicken in a pleasant and modern setting. The quality of the chicken is exceptional, the staff is friendly and grills the meat for you, and the variety of cuts and side dishes ensures a satisfying meal. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Seoul, Eunhakye is a must-visit restaurant for a memorable charcoal grilled chicken experience near Garosu-gil. Highly recommended!

Eunhakye Sinsadong (은화계 도산대로점)
Location: Near Garosu-gil, Sinsadong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Rating: Highly Recommended