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Yoogane Dakgalbi - What to Eat in Korea

Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) is a Korean dish that is hearty, delicious, inexpensive, and very easy to love. It's commonly enjoyed by Korean locals, and is an excellent option for tourists since it isn't too funky yet it still captures the essence of Korean cuisine.

If you are looking for a place to try out some dakgalbi, Yoogane is always a safe bet. It's one of the biggest dakgalbi chains in Korea, and since it's a franchise the taste is quite standardized, meaning you can't go wrong. Rather than risking your chances on an independent restaurant that might turn out to be terrible, you can confidently walk into a Yoogane and rest assured that your meal will definitely taste great.

The good thing about Yoogane is that they pretty much have one in any touristy or busy neighborhood, so it is super easy to find. The sign will most likely look like this:



I visited the one at Garosu-gil today, and this particular Yoogane has a very modern interior that made my experience a teeny bit classier than the typical dakgalbi I was accustomed to.



The self-service bar has a bunch of side dishes that you can take for yourself (as much as you want), as well as aprons to protect your clothes from the spicy red sauces.




We went for the standard menu (3 dakgalbi) with mozzarella cheese topping. Always go for the cheese. It makes everything taste so much better.



The waiter then prepares the food and stir-fries it for you on the spot.





Once you're done with the meat, it is standard procedure to order fried rice (볶음밥/bokkeumbap) to finish off your meal. No Korean meal is complete without the carb-packed final course, whether it be rice or noodles. Of course, we ordered this one with extra cheese as well. As I strongly advise anyone else to do. So yummy.




I say dakgalbi captures the essence of Korean cuisine because most dishes in Korea:

  1. Must be shared with at least one other person
  2. Are cooked on the table (in front of you) before shared from a single pot/pan/plate
  3. Have an unlimited side dish culture, of which many places have a self-serving system
  4. Provide aprons to prevent messy accidents
  5. Taste best when finished with rice
A definite must-try for dinner with friends!

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