Dakjang Maekju — My Neighborhood Chicken & Beer Pub

My local pub, Dakjang Maekju in Gaebong-dong — walking distance from home, which in Korea is a blessing. The whole “chicken and beer” culture here even has its own word: chimaek (치맥, chicken + maekju/beer).

Tonight’s order: dak-bokkeum-tang (닭볶음탕 — spicy braised chicken stew) with wang-daechang (beef large intestine) added, ₩32,000. Chicken, potatoes, and rice cakes simmered in a gochujang broth right at the table. You pick the spice level; we went medium. The potatoes soak up the broth and might be the best part.

Comes with nachos on the side, and when you’re near the end you can have the leftover sauce fried into rice — the standard Korean hot-pot finale.

Where

• Dakjang Maekju Gaebong branch — 2F, 127 Gocheok-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul (near Gaebong Stn.)
• Naver Map