Mullae chicken spot with 90-minute oak-roasted chicken: Jangjakgun

Today's great find!

Mullae Jangjakgun: herbal nurungji chicken roasted for 90 minutes over oak firewood, with crispy skin and chewy sticky-rice nurungji that are a work of art

How is Jangjakgun Mullae's oak-roasted chicken different from electric rotisserie chicken?

Jangjakgun Mullae reportedly roasts its chicken for a full 90 minutes over oak firewood, not electricity. The grease drains away, and you get a chicken that's crackly like a snack outside and moist inside.

I was hunting for a good place in the Mullae alleys and got lured in by the smell of burning oak. It's called Mullae Jangjakgun (장작꾼), and it's the real deal. It's on a different level from ordinary electric-roasted chicken. All that care means the grease is gone, and even the breast meat is tender, which goes so well with the oak smoke. Seeing the stacks of firewood right at the entrance, I was convinced it couldn't taste bad. There's also that trendy Mullae vibe, so it felt like I'd finally found a proper hot spot in a long time.

Pro 1: Korean sticky rice nurungji you'll scrape clean

The heart of Jangjakgun's nurungji chicken is the hot stone plate under the chicken and the Korean sticky rice nurungji (scorched rice crust). The chicken juices soak deep into the nurungji, and the nuttiness is insane.

This nurungji was so good that I scraped it right down to the bottom, haha. Chewy yet crispy, and I just kept going back for more. The heat of the stone plate means it stays warm to the very last bite, which is a big plus. Put a piece of chicken on a bite of nurungji and it's heaven. Maybe because it's sticky rice, my stomach felt fine afterward too. It makes a filling meal, so it's perfect with a drink. You really have to try this nutty flavor yourself to get it.

Pro 2: What to order with the chicken – sea snail salad and young radish kimchi

If chicken alone feels like not enough at Jangjakgun Mullae, order the sea snail salad with somyeon (thin wheat noodles). The young radish kimchi that comes as a free side is the surprise twist that cuts the richness of the chicken.

The tangy, spicy seasoning is packed with sea snails. The vegetables are fresh and crunchy, and eating them together makes the greasiness disappear completely. The portion of somyeon is generous too, so you'll leave full.

And the free young radish kimchi was so refreshing and delicious that I was shocked. It's better than a lot of famous kimchi places. Take a bite of chicken, then crunch on a piece of kimchi, and your mouth feels clean and ready to start again. You can tell the owner has serious skills. Even the basic side dishes are made with real care.

Pro 3: The 90-minute oak-fire roast and a comfortable dining room

Jangjakgun Mullae roasts its chicken over firewood for 90 minutes. Easier said than done, and I think that's real dedication. All that effort melts right into the tenderness of the chicken.

The grease is gone, so there's less diet worry. It felt like a healthy-ish late-night meal, and I could enjoy it freely without guilt. The inside is kept clean, so it works for a family meal or a date. The staff were friendly too, which I liked. As a Mullae hot spot, the atmosphere is lively. I can't think of a better place to chat over a glass of beer.

Is Jangjakgun Mullae worth a visit? My verdict

If you want proper chicken in Mullae, don't hesitate, just go to Jangjakgun. The crunch of that nurungji keeps coming back to mind.

From drumstick to wing, there's nothing to throw away. It even makes you scrape up every bit of nurungji, so I recommend it with confidence. Even if I bring friends, I think everyone would be satisfied with the quality. I'm planning to go back soon to scrape more nurungji. I'm officially calling it a true local favorite in Mullae. After you try it once, other chicken tastes a bit bland.

Jangjakgun Mullae at a glance

• Roasted over oak firewood, so it's full of smoky aroma
• Tender meat that's the textbook example of crispy outside, juicy inside
• Nutty sticky rice nurungji soaked in chicken juices
• Great pairing of tangy, spicy sea snail salad and somyeon
• Refreshing young radish kimchi that cuts the richness in one go
• Near Mullae Station, so very easy to find
• 90 minutes of care, with a healthy, restorative feel
• Stylish space with that trendy Mullae vibe
• Good atmosphere with family, a partner or coworkers
• A true find, tasty down to the last bit of nurungji

Not sure what to have for dinner tonight? How about Jangjakgun chicken with that wonderful oak aroma? I'm sure you'll fall for the combo of crispy skin and hot nurungji.