닭갈비 (dalk-galbi) is one of my favourite dishes you can only get (done well) in Korea! Choonchun is the origin city of this dish, and apparently OhGenNeh (the name of the restaurant) used to be the name of Choonchun before it got changed to Choonchun! So the name of this place is the original original name of where this dish came from!
I've had this at several restaurants in Seoul and in Choonchun, but this hole-in-the-wall place in a neighbourhood alley, is my favourite. The sauce, amount of fresh chicken, selection of add-ons, their other side dishes have all been excellent. Best dalk-galbi I've have in all of Korea hands down!
Stir-fried goodness in a huge pan!
Tons of cabbage, sesame seed leaves along with large pieces of whole chicken they cut up for you on the spot....along with the killer sauce! This sauce makes this dish so awesome!
The regular servings come with rice cakes and sweet potato already added in. You can add more of everything if you want including noodles, rice and cheese after as well.
This one we got 2 out of the 3 noodles: left side - 쫄면 (johlmyun - potato starch noodles) and 라면 (ramyun). I also like getting the 우동 (Japanese flour noodles) which are also a bit thicker and chewy - but not as chewy as the johlmyun.
Here, you have the option of adding on mozzarella cheese as well. They sprinkle it on, leave the lid on for 3 minutes to let the cheese melt all over.
I like to ask for the cheese on only half of the dish so you can have both flavours. This place won't let you eat the chicken until everything is really well cooked - so keep stirring so the food doesn't stick, until they say you can eat!
After, you have 2 choices of fried rice - regular or fish roe. I love the fish roe rice (알밥) and they blend it with dried seaweed, bits of more sesame seed leaf, sesame seed oil all together with the leftover sauces and bits of chicken and veggies.
When the rice sticks and burns a bit to the bottom of the pan - it's the best part!
A sign of a meal well finished!
매밀막국수 - Buckwheat noodles in an icy cold vinegary broth. This is awesome here - the noodles are similar to nengmyun but they are slightly thicker, softer yet still chewy. Even though we were so full, this is definitely worth getting for a refreshing kick at the end of the meal. Great to share!
The sides here a minimal but you don't need to fill up on sides here as the meal is filling enough! The green onion side is super flavourful and delicious and the cabbage with mayo will help to cool off your tongue! In the winter, they give you a hot spicy soup on the side, and in the summer they give a refreshing cool vinegary cucumber side soup. Love the cool vinegary one.
I come here so often, they sometimes give a 계란짐 (gehranjiim - steamed egg) for service! This one is super light and fluffy and it also has bits of fish roe and green onions in it. Delicious!
The menu in a nutshell: Per portion of dalkgalbi = 11, 000won. Cold Noodles for after the meal: 7000won. Giant dumplings: 7000won. Steamed Egg: 5000won. Sides to add in (sweet potato, rice cakes, noodles): 2500won each. Cheese: 3000won. Fish roe fried rice: 3000won. Fried rice: 2000won. Plain rice: 1000won.
Inside - there is the dreaded floor seating....
And a few lucky table seatings....
Definitely nothing fancy...a hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood joint with amazing dalk-galbi - and friendly service!
What? Korean food - spicy stir-fried boneless chicken and vegetables (cabbage, onions, sesame seed leaves) on a hot pan skillet with optional added rice cakes, sweet potato, ramen/potato starch/udon noodles topped with mozzarella cheese. Finished off with stir-fried rice in the pan.
Just order for how many people you are - if you aren't too hungry, or are going to eat all of the sides and order noodles as well, then order one less portion as long as you are ordering 2 or more portions!
Who? Anyone who enjoys chicken in a delicious spicy sauce that's not too overpowering. They have seats on the floor as well as tables, but no high-chairs. Probably not suitable for very young children as the hot pan is quite close to the edge of the table and the sauce can splash up while stirring.
When? Open everyday from 12pm-1am. Usually people eat this later in the day because your clothes will smell strongly of food afterwards.
Parking? Yes, free in the sides of the alley
Cards Accepted? Yes
Where? Seoul Tehkbyulshi, Yongsangu, Hangangro3ga, 40-90Bunjee.
서울특별시 용산구 한강로3가 40-90번지
Call: 02-797-0131
Directions: Closest subway station: Yongsan Station 용산역 (Line 1) or Shin Yongsan Station 신용산역 (Line 4). Go to Dragon Hill Spa entrance - if it is on your right hand side, the Yongsan base is on your left hand side, keep walking straight until there is a 3-way where cars can only turn left onto a main street. Turn right into an alleyway, go all the way until you can't go anymore (2 blocks), then turn left and go all the way straight. Go past train tracks, and then in about 100 metres you will see it on your right hand side.
or, if you are driving, go straight toward Hangang Bridge. Take the last right before the bridge and follow the road that veers to the right. Take the last right before an overpass into an alley and it will be on your left.