Hongdae chicken stew with window views for ₩32,000: Hongik Dakhanmari

When the weather turns chilly like this, don't you crave a hot, steaming soup dish? Dakhanmari (whole chicken stew) is a must on that list... and I found a Hongdae dakhanmari spot, so no need to trek all the way to Dongdaemun!

This time I visited Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch (홍익닭한마리 홍대본점), near Hongik Univ. Station. Let me say it up front: the broth here is legendary... It was so good I wanted to pour it into a tumbler and sip it all day, hahaha 🤤 Let me tell you about this place with its light yet deep broth!

Where is Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch, and what's the vibe?

Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch is on the 2nd floor of a building on Wausan-ro 29ra-gil, within walking distance of Hongik Univ. Station.

The restaurant is on the 2nd floor. The moment I climbed up and walked in, it smelled so good, hahaha. Smelling the dakhanmari simmering made me properly hungry...

The inside was neatly kept overall, and the staff were friendly, so the first impression was a good one.

Because it's on the 2nd floor, you can see the view outside through the big windows, and that was surprisingly calming. Eating hot broth in the middle of Hongdae while gazing out the window... such a nice, relaxed mood 🤍

From celebrity autographs to the waiting board

The first thing that caught my eye at the entrance was the wall packed with celebrity autographs. So many people have been here, hahaha. I was especially happy to spot the autograph of Haeryeong from BESTie, who's been going viral again lately with "Yeonae-ui Jogeon"! Finding it here made me smile, haha.

There was also a waiting board at the entrance, and it seems a line can form at peak times. Clearly a popular Hongdae spot... ꒰ ⸝⸝ɞ̴̶̷ ·̮ ɞ̴̶̷⸝⸝꒱

Menu and prices: how much for two people?

At Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch, two of us had the 2-person dakhanmari set (₩29,000) plus a kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) add-on (₩3,000), ₩32,000 in total! (The noodles are a must, seriously... 🤍) Prices on the menu board:

• 2-person dakhanmari set ₩29,000
• 3-person dakhanmari set ₩39,000
• 4-person dakhanmari set ₩49,000
• Dakhanmari (single) ₩24,000
• Kalguksu add-on ₩3,000

The 2-person set includes the chicken stew plus potatoes, mushrooms, rice cakes and scallions. It's good value: two people can eat dakhanmari and finish with kalguksu.

How does the chicken taste?

The pot arrived, a big one generously filled with chicken, mushrooms and scallions.

The mushrooms spread out wide across the pot made a striking sight.

The chicken was tender and mild, easy to eat without feeling heavy. It's not a dish flavored with strong seasoning, so you taste the ingredients themselves. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes non-spicy, non-intense Korean food!

What made the broth so special?

The most impressive thing at Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch was the broth. Seriously, the broth is so good... It has a deep savory richness drawn from the chicken, yet tastes clear and clean, so I kept spooning it up. It isn't oily or heavy but the flavor is rich, so it was one spoonful after another... I truly wanted to put it in a tumbler and drink it all day, hahaha.

Among people looking for dakhanmari in Hongdae, anyone who loves soupy dishes in particular will probably be satisfied. Personally, it was the most memorable point of this visit!

How do you make the special dakhanmari dipping sauce?

At Hongik Dakhanmari you make your own sauce, following the order of steps shown. Mix minced garlic and the sauces to your taste, then dip the chicken.

Here's one personal tip! I recommend not putting in too much mustard from the start. The mustard can taste stronger than you'd expect, so add a little at a time and adjust to your taste, haha.

Mild chicken with a tangy, spicy sauce gives you a whole different flavor.

Is the finishing kalguksu add-on worth it?

I recommend adding the kalguksu (₩3,000) at Hongik Dakhanmari. After dakhanmari, you can't skip the noodles. Noodles go into a broth already infused with chicken and all the ingredients, so what more is there to say... the noodles soak up the broth and stay delicious to the very end.

I like soupy dishes anyway, but here I kept spooning up the broth all the way through the noodles, hahaha. I'd suggest saving room for the kalguksu from the start!

Overall verdict on Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch

If you want a warm Korean meal near Hongik Univ. Station, I'd recommend Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch! Above all, the broth was really good, and there was fun in eating the mild chicken with a sauce made to your own taste. The 2-person set plus kalguksu made a hearty meal.

The restaurant was clean and the service friendly, so I could eat comfortably. The view through the 2nd-floor windows made it even more relaxed. If you're looking for dakhanmari near Hongik Univ., give Hongik Dakhanmari Hongdae Main Branch a visit for its impressive broth 🤍