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Chen Yuhua, a chicken

Among the delicacies of Dongdaemun, the one you absolutely cannot miss is Grandma Chen Yuhua's original chicken. It's incredibly popular, and there are no branches here.

Its most distinctive feature is the rich, garlicky broth, combined with the sweet taste of potatoes. Secondly, the chicken is incredibly tender; it's a must-try Seoul delicacy that will leave Bobby amazed from the first bite !

The free kimchi can be added to the soup base, and it's also delicious with some rice cakes. Remember to get a number first, as it may be temporarily suspended when there are a lot of people in winter.

A chicken by Chen Yuhua (진옥화할매원조닭한마리)
Address: 265-22, Jongno 5-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul ( Hanchao Map / NAVER Map )
Business hours: 10:30-01:00 (Monday to Sunday)
Ratings: Google 4.0 (7,604 results), Naver 4.32 (7,497 results)
Note: No branches, not spicy.

Shunmeijia Happy Soy Sauce Crab

Soonmi-ga Happiness Soy-Dried Crab is a must-try restaurant in Dongdaemun, South Korea, and has received rave reviews from major media outlets. They offer three options: à la carte, individual set meals, and all-you-can-eat. The first two options feature higher-quality soy-dried crab.

Bobby's top recommendation is the "Individual Female Crab Set Meal," which is packed with crab roe and tastes even better. It's marinated with Korean herbs and fruits, without any added spices, and the meat is firm, sweet, and delicious with no fishy smell at all. Thumbs up!

The crab is mildly spicy and on the salty side, so I recommend eating it with rice. The restaurant also has a buffet where you can enjoy free Margherita, toast, soup, side dishes, and salad. It's great value for money!

Dongmiao 24-hour potato and pork rib soup

Simmered with pork bones, the ribs are rich in marbling, and the meat is so tender that it falls apart when you pick it up. Paired with soft potatoes, sesame leaves, rice cakes, enoki mushrooms, and other ingredients, it's incredibly satisfying.

The broth was bright red, but it was only mildly spicy, with a strong peppery aroma. The two of us ordered a small portion and were quite full.

If you have a big appetite, you can add some fried rice. The concentrated broth is stir-fried with seaweed, and it's so delicious that you can't stop eating it. It's a must-try when visiting Dongdaemun in the cold winter!

JOMARU potato rib soup newly opened store (조마루감자탕신설동점)
Address: 201-10, Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul ( NAVER Map )
Business hours: 06:00–21:30 (Monday to Sunday)
Ratings: Google 4.1 (605 results), Naver 4.06 (542 results)
Note: There are branches in Dongdaemun and Konkuk University. Mildly spicy.

Meat Canteen

Which Korean BBQ restaurant in Dongdaemun is recommended? Meat Dian Restaurant, a frequent guest on popular Korean food shows, is hailed as the best in the BBQ world, with many branches and booming business.

The staff skillfully grills everything for you. The pork belly and pork neck are must-try dishes on the menu. The pork belly is incredibly thick, tender, juicy, and delicious. If you're still hungry, you can add some fried rice, which is sprinkled with cheese powder and tastes great too.

When two people order for the first time, they must order at least two portions of one type of meat. There will be no restriction when they order more. The ordering method is rather unique.

Meat Code Restaurant No. 1 (육전식당본점)
Address: 104-3, Sinsaek-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul ( Hanchao Map / NAVER Map )
Business hours: 11:00–15:00, 17:00–22:00 (Monday to Sunday)
Ratings: Google 4.4 (1,494 results), Naver 4.42 (1,671 results)
Note: There are two branches in Dongdaemun, and the food is not spicy.