Myeonmok Station fried chicken shop that moved: Gimssi Chicken, Seoul

I was near Myeonmok Station recently and dropped by Gimssi Chicken for the first time in a while. Gimssi Chicken is a fried chicken shop located inside Dongwon Market at Myeonmok Station. I'd actually been before, but never at this current location, so I visited with a slightly special feeling.

Where Gimssi Chicken is and when it opens

• Address: 32 Sangbong-ro 11-gil, 1st floor, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 11:00 – 22:00
• Exit 1 of Myeonmok Station is closest :)

The dakgangjeong shop that moved from Myeonmok Market in Sagajeong to Dongwon Market

Gimssi Chicken was originally in Myeonmok Market near Sagajeong Station. It's a pretty familiar dakgangjeong (Korean fried chicken) place for me — I used to buy it constantly whenever I went grocery shopping or passed by Sagajeong. It was famous for delicious dakgangjeong back then too, and I remember getting takeout many times. At some point I heard it had moved to Dongwon Market, so this was a good chance to see if it still tasted the same — and honestly I just wanted dakgangjeong again, so I went to check it out myself.

Gimssi Chicken is now inside Dongwon Market near Myeonmok Station. The market is bigger than I expected and has several entrances, so first-timers might get a little lost. Coming from the station, you have to walk fairly deep into the market. But it's fun to explore while looking around, and once you know the way, it's easy to find next time.

Takeout only? You can now eat in at Gimssi Chicken

Back in Myeonmok Market it felt strongly like a takeout-only place, but this time I found out you can now eat in. Group visits are also possible, so it seems like a good option for families or friends who want to eat right on the spot.

I ordered medium-spicy dakgangjeong and one whole old-style fried chicken, both to take away. Since I visited on a weekend evening, orders were pretty backed up. I hadn't made a reservation, so I waited about 15 minutes.

How long is the weekend evening wait, and how do number tickets work?

While I waited, customers kept coming in — some for takeout, others finishing their meals and heading out. It really is still a popular spot, and it made sense why it had been so famous back in Sagajeong.

By the way, calling ahead or reserving cuts down the wait so you can pick up right away. If you're planning to visit in the evening or on weekends, ordering ahead seems like a smart move.

After ordering, you get a number ticket — which was convenient. No need to stand around in front of the shop; you can wait comfortably nearby and pick up your food when your number is called. I could wander around the market a bit while waiting, so the 15-minute wait wasn't uncomfortable at all.

Can you pay with Onnuri gift vouchers?

Since it's a shop inside a traditional market, you can pay with Onnuri gift vouchers, which I liked. I paid with vouchers this time, and it felt like a more frugal way to shop, just like buying groceries at the market. Using Onnuri vouchers at traditional markets is often a good deal these days, and being able to buy delicious dakgangjeong with them too made it even better.

Medium-spicy dakgangjeong: does it taste the same after the move?

So how was the most important part — the taste?

Bottom line first: it tasted exactly like what I remembered from Myeonmok Market in Sagajeong, and I was so relieved. Even after not eating it for a long time, the flavor hadn't changed at all, which made it even more satisfying for me personally.

The medium-spicy dakgangjeong I ordered was, true to its name, moderately spicy. It wasn't a style where the heat drowned out everything else, nor was it too sweet or too salty. That balance was exactly why I liked Gimssi Chicken's dakgangjeong in the first place, and even after a long time away, it was still delicious.

The seasoning balance really matters for dakgangjeong. Too sweet and you get tired of it after a few pieces; too spicy or salty and it becomes hit-or-miss. Gimssi Chicken hits just the right level of seasoning, so I kept reaching for more. It goes great with rice, works fine as a snack, and pairs nicely with beer or soft drinks too.

The old-style whole fried chicken ordered alongside

The old-style fried chicken I ordered alongside was better than expected too. The crispy fried skin and clean-tasting chicken meat had a different charm from the dakgangjeong. Rather than ordering just one menu item, ordering both dakgangjeong and old-style chicken together — like I did — lets you enjoy two different flavors, which I'd recommend.

What I liked most was that, even after a long absence, I thought, "Ah, this is exactly the taste!" I'd been slightly worried that the flavor might have changed after the move, since I used to eat there so often in Sagajeong, but it turned out to be needless worry.

After this visit, I think I'll be coming back regularly. If I ever have errands at Dongwon Market, grabbing dakgangjeong to take home sounds great, and eating it warm right at the shop sounds good too.

Who Gimssi Chicken is best for

If you're looking for a good dakgangjeong shop near Myeonmok Station, or a tasty takeout spot inside a traditional market, I'd recommend Gimssi Chicken! Especially if you're someone like me who used to enjoy it at the old Myeonmok Market location in Sagajeong, it's worth checking out the new spot.

Since I already knew the taste, this visit felt especially welcome, but first-timers should be able to enjoy it plenty too. Next time I want to try other menu items, so I'll be back. Gimssi Chicken was still delicious even after all this time — I think I'll keep coming back!