Late-night Hongdae chicken spot: Triple Potato pizza combo, Goobne

Why pick Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road for a group night out?

When a group meets up in Hongdae, you need a place with drinks, a filling meal, and room to sit and chat for hours, and Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road (굽네치킨 홍대레드로드점) fit that. Isn't picking the menu always the hardest part of making plans in Hongdae? Everyone says "anything is fine," and then when you actually choose, someone says they don't like it.

I always spend ages searching to meet those conditions too. Then I saw news that a new Goobne Chicken had opened on Hongdae's Red Road. I figured all chicken places were pretty much the same, but it turned out quite different from what I expected. There's even a terrace out front on the 1st floor with red chairs, and I thought it would be perfect for a beer outside on a nice day.

Where is Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road, and what's it like inside?

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road is a 10-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station, tucked inside the Hongdae Red Road area. It isn't right in the middle of the busiest strip, which is exactly why it feels more relaxed. Honestly, I didn't expect a chicken restaurant to look this stylish: the black arched facade with red accents suits the Hongdae streets well.

Inside, the space is split between the 1st and 2nd floors, and the combination of red chairs and stainless steel tables looks great for photos too. According to the restaurant's introduction, the hall is large enough for group dinners, events and private bookings. If you're looking for a place for a company dinner, it's worth asking the restaurant in advance.

Opening hours, parking and bringing your own cake

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road is open daily from 11:00 to 02:00, and until 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Staying open this late makes it good for a second round or an outdoor-terrace kind of night. One drawback: there's no parking at the restaurant, so you'll need to use a nearby paid lot or a public car park.

Also, it's noted that you can bring in and eat your own cake, so it would be great for a birthday party. What atmosphere matters most to you when you meet up in Hongdae?

How does Goobne's Gochu Basasak taste?

This time I ordered two things at Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road: Goobne's signature Gochu Basasak and the Triple Potato pizza. Gochu Basasak is chicken known for combining the gentle kick of cheongyang chili pepper with Marbling-Goblin sauce.

When I opened the box, it was packed with Gochu Basasak coated in an orange-ish seasoning. Parsley flakes were sprinkled densely over the top, and I could see nicely browned spots here and there.

Goobne roasts its chicken in an oven instead of frying it, and maybe that's why it didn't look like it had a thick batter; the seasoning seemed thinly coated on the outside. Drumsticks, wings and other cuts were mixed together, so there's some fun in picking out your favorite.

The Gochu Basasak seasoning starts out mild and then a little spiciness builds at the end. It felt gentle enough that even people who don't handle spicy food well could eat it without worry.

Dipping Gochu Basasak in Goblin and Marbling sauces

The sauces that came with the Gochu Basasak caught my eye too. You get two 40g cup sauces, Goblin sauce and Marbling sauce. Dunking the chicken deep into the sauce cuts the greasiness and adds more flavor.

What is Goobne's Triple Potato pizza like?

Goobne's Triple Potato pizza is, just like the name says, a pizza with potatoes piled on generously. The top was loaded with golden-roasted potato wedges, with bits of bacon peeking out between them. A zigzag of white sauce was drizzled over it all, with parsley sprinkled on top.

I figured potato, cheese and bacon couldn't possibly taste bad, and sure enough! The end of the crust was slightly charred and nutty. The toppings went all the way to the edge, so even one slice felt filling.

Chicken and pizza combo: how many people does it feed?

Ordering the Gochu Basasak and Triple Potato pizza together, your mouth alternates between different flavors: a bite of spicy chicken, a bite of soft potato pizza, and the pairing worked surprisingly well. It was plenty for two, and I think three or four people could share it too.

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road also has drinks to go with chicken, including draft beer, highballs and cocktails, a lineup that's good for a casual drink. So besides regular meals, it's worth keeping on your list for a year-end party or farewell-to-the-year gathering.

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road: the verdict

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road's strengths are oven-roasted chicken, a big hall and late hours. The Gochu Basasak was spicy and went well with the sauces, and the Triple Potato pizza was hearty. I'd recommend it as a candidate for anyone looking for chicken in Hongdae or a place for a group dinner. If your group is large, ask the restaurant in advance, and use a nearby lot for parking.

• Location: 10-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station, Hongdae Red Road
• Hours: daily 11:00–02:00 (until 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
• Parking: none at the restaurant; use nearby paid or public lots

What flavor do you like most when you eat chicken in Hongdae? And where are you thinking of holding your upcoming year-end party?