Yeonsan-dong chicken spot: thin-batter boneless half-and-half, Yetnal

I was craving chicken so badly today that I headed to Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch (옛날통닭앤탕 연산본점) in Yeonsan-dong.

Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch: location, hours and parking

Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch is at 41 Gobun-ro 31beon-gil, Yeonje-gu, Busan. It is open Monday to Saturday from 17:30 until 06:00 the next day, and on Sunday from 17:30 until 05:00 the next day. Takeout and delivery are available, groups are welcome, and for parking you can use the paid Ora Parking Lot next to the restaurant.

You know those times after work when you suddenly want something greasy? It was exactly that kind of day, so I chose chicken without a second thought.

Sometimes you want a chicken place for a quick beer after work, or you want chicken at home on a day off while watching dramas or YouTube. Chicken has been a beloved staple for ages, so there are so many options that it can actually be hard to choose. If you're a little tired of the usual franchise chicken, I recommend this hidden gem, Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch.

What's the atmosphere like at Yetnal Tongdak & Tang in Yeonsan-dong?

Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch feels like a cozy neighborhood chicken place. The shop itself looks like a local chicken joint, which somehow puts you at ease. The walls carry traces of past visitors, which gave the place a warm feeling.

It's not just a place to eat; it's a great spot to wrap up your day. As evening came, customers started coming in one by one. I got the feeling (!?) that it's already pretty well known in the neighborhood.

They also have a receipt review event going on, so keep that in mind!

Yetnal Tongdak & Tang menu and prices: what did we order?

At Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch, I ordered the half boneless, half sweet-spicy chicken (₩21,000) and a half portion of sweet-spicy boneless chicken (₩12,000). Being able to enjoy old-style whole fried chicken (tongdak) and dakdoritang (spicy braised chicken stew) together is a big part of its charm. I hear the dakdoritang comes generously loaded with wheat rice cakes and glass noodles. The prices aren't burdensome either, so it's pretty good value! The old-school feel extends to the friendly prices, which made it even more satisfying.

• Half boneless, half sweet-spicy chicken ₩21,000
• Half portion of sweet-spicy boneless chicken ₩12,000

The table was set with spoons and chopsticks, plus the gas burner used for the dakdoritang. Tissues are on the wall!

Free bar snacks: shrimp chips and cabbage salad

Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch brings shrimp chips and a cabbage salad by default. It felt so nostalgic. Side dishes and some simple snacks come out too, so I wasn't bored while waiting.

How does the thin-batter chicken at Yetnal Tongdak & Tang taste?

The chicken came out faster than I expected, which I liked. Honestly I went without big expectations, but after one bite I completely changed my mind!!

I heard Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch has been loved steadily for 15 years, and after eating here I could see why.

It's exactly the taste of old-school tongdak!! Instead of the thick batter of today's chicken, it's fried thin and crispy, so you can keep eating without feeling weighed down.

It's crispy outside and juicy inside. It naturally reminded me of the tongdak my parents used to bring home when I was a kid.

Crispy, light fried chicken and a classic seasoned sauce

The plain fried chicken at Yetnal Tongdak & Tang was so crispy and light that I kept reaching for more. Dip it in the sauce that comes with it and it's even better, pure heaven!

The sweet-spicy chicken is a classic, true-to-basics flavor, which I liked even more. A lot of chicken these days is intensely seasoned, but this one has none of that, just clean! and delicious.

While eating, I immediately understood why people keep coming back.

Who is Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch best for?

Yetnal Tongdak & Tang Yeonsan Main Branch is a great place to drop in casually for chicken and a beer, and I especially recommend it to anyone who wants to properly enjoy old-school tongdak. If you can't decide on chicken in Yeonsan-dong, it's worth a visit at least once, and you won't regret it!