Yang-dong Market Chicken

Photos By Mason Robinson

Fried chicken in Korea is a food category of its own, since it is usually served whole, seasoned with sugar, salt, spices and fried not once but twice. Are you regretting your chicken consumption? Please, do not. You need to stroll along the Yang-dong Market and see it for yourself, because double the fry is double the crunch!

Yang-dong Market

Yang-dong Market is the biggest and most traditionally-famous outdoor market in Gwangju. It was first erected in 1910 under the Gwangjugyo Bridge, and did not move to its current location until the 1940s, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. With more than 350 shops to try, the ever-so-clever Yang-dong Whole Chicken (“양동 통닭) and its wonderful chicken fare is something you cannot miss.

Directions

The market is about a 15-minute walk heading northwest away from the downtown area. Visible street signs will guide you to the market. On the left side of the river, you can see the fried chicken alleyway.

Yang-dong Chicken Alley

There are various joints to choose from, but the best chicken can be found in the “no-name” mom-and-pop shops. One of the community favorites is the very first one on the right. The employees can be easily spotted soaking, marinating and de-flouring the chicken into baskets and re-frying it outside. Let yourself be guided by the amazing smell.

Atmosphere & Service

“Welcome, Yang-dong Whole Chicken” (in Korean) is displayed on a green and white sign on the front door as soon as you enter. In business for just over 30 years, they pride themselves on serving fresh chicken as soon as you order it. But plan accordingly, since the restaurant may already have a few waiting patrons filling up the 30 seats inside.

Food

So have you ever really eaten an entire chicken? There are two types of chicken served at the market. Keep in mind that this is one full chicken, fresh from the market, cut and battered in dough and fried to perfection, not once, but twice. The first dish is the usual fried chicken, which is crunchy but not greasy standard Korean fried chicken. Gizzards and liver are thrown in (not fried), as well as fried chicken feet and the neck. Scrumptious! The second dish is the other half of the same chicken, and it is their specialty. This second half is served in sweet chili sauce with a few peanuts sprinkled on top.

Prices

There is one simple menu on the wall, accompanied by various media photos and Korean Television interviews featured in SBS Morning Wide and KBS Network, making sure you know that this spot is too legit to quit. The first menu item, one “whole chicken” for 16,000 won, consists of both the regular double-fried chicken and the other half tossed in the tangy red sauce. If you prefer one or the other, you can request your preference. Beer and soju are priced at 2,000 won and up. Bon appetit!

Opening hours are every day from 10 am – 12 midnight (no off-days)

Address: 광주광역시 서구 천변좌로 262 (262 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju) – alongside the river, across from Gwangju Jeil High School.