Jungnang fried chicken, crisp even cold: Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong

On rainy days I somehow crave something crispy and spicy even more. Today I went to Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong, a well-known dakgangjeong (Korean fried chicken bites) spot in Myeongmok Market, Jungnang.

As a place famous for dakgangjeong in Myeongmok-dong, there were plenty of customers picking up takeout on their way home from work, and it was fun to watch the staff mixing the batter, frying, and tossing the sauce right in front of you.

The large spicy size is ₩17,000, which isn't a big price burden, and the crispiness held up well even after time passed, so I thought it was a great place to pack a generous order for takeout.

Personally, I prefer dakgangjeong with that distinct market chicken feel over franchise fried chicken, so this visit to Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong was all the more satisfying.

A rainy-day walk to Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong at Myeongmok Market

Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong sits at the entrance to Myeongmok Market, and on this rainy evening I went to pick up a large spicy size to go. It's raining. It's raining, but my appetite is rising.

Last night I really wanted some good fried food. So even though I'd just eaten pork cutlet, I strangely didn't feel satisfied.

Honestly my stomach was full, but my greed was fuller. Thinking, let's see who wins, I headed to Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong in Myeongmok Market.

It's a well-known dakgangjeong spot in Myeongmok-dong. I'd heard about it now and then, but today was my first actual visit.

Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong menu and prices: large spicy size 17,000 won

At Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong, bone-in chicken is ₩9,900 per bird, and the large spicy size I ordered is ₩17,000. There seemed to be a lot of customers picking up takeout on their way home, and the prices are quite reasonable.

I ordered the large spicy size. I do eat quite a lot, but even so, the large size by market dakgangjeong standards is a substantial amount.

That said, the dakgangjeong here is crispy and delicious even when cold, so if you're already visiting, I'd recommend packing a generous amount. There were also wings, drumettes, chicken legs, and old-style whole fried chicken on the menu.

Personally these aren't my preferred cuts, but if I come back with a group sometime, I'd like to at least try a bite of each.

The open kitchen: batter and frying in front of you

At Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong, they batter, fry, and coat the sauce right in front of you. It's essentially an open kitchen. There was fun in just watching.

Personally, rather than franchise chicken (which feels more like a snack to me), I really like fried chicken or dakgangjeong that has this market feel.

There's a slight chicken smell (in a good way), which makes it feel like you're really eating chicken, and it pairs really well with any alcohol, soju or beer.

I guess I should pick up a bottle of soju on my way home too.

Is the dakgangjeong still crispy hours later, and how spicy is it?

The large spicy dakgangjeong from Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong was still crispy even hours after takeout. I ate it after finishing studying. (Okay, I did sneak a few pieces earlier.)

But it wasn't the freshly-fried crunch — it was more of a nutty, cracker-like crispiness that comes from the fried coating cooling down a bit.

Personally I really like that. The spice level is just a bit spicier than Shin Ramyun — tough for kids or people who can't handle spice, but most adults should be able to enjoy it just fine.

It definitely relieves some stress, though the deeper knot of it seems to still be there. Anyway, I'll eat well for now and push through tomorrow too.

Anyway, another good meal today.

Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong location, hours and takeout

• Address: 51 Sagajeong-ro 50-gil, 1st floor, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Transit: About 323m from Exit 3 of Sagajeong Station, located at the entrance to Myeongmok Market, easy to find
• Hours: Daily 11:00 - 22:00
• Service: Reservations and takeout available
• Order: Large spicy size, ₩17,000