Luxury Cruise Planning • Groups • Honeymoons • Milestone Travel
Elevated Travel Experiences
← Back to South Korea Experiences
Seoul · South Korea

Seoul: Korean Chicken & Beer Pub Crawl

Starting From From $141.80 per person Current Project Expedition rate
3 Hours 30 Mins
4.5 · 3 traveler reviews
Moderate activity level Small Group Single Day Tour Operated by ZenKimchi Experiences
Share This Experience Facebook X WhatsApp Email Postcard
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by Project Expedition
The Experience

What your day looks like

Chicken is a way of life in Korea. Here you will get fully immersed in a 1-cha, 2-cha, 3-cha night out at three places to try vastly different styles. We start at the charming Mangwon Traditional Market for some old school fried chicken. After exploring some more, we duck into a cozy old country style pub for smoked barbecued chicken. We then trek back through the market to a secret unique chicken spot that will blow your mind. Spicy cheesy chicken with beer served in actual canteen cups from World War II. The place itself feels like a WWII bunker but with a smooth '80s and lounge-tronica playlist. It's a surreal way to end the evening. The tour includes food and all beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Your guide is a long-time food writer, who has consulted for Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and The Travel Channel. IMPORTANT: There is a good bit of walking on this tour, so be prepared. It'll be worth it.

At a Glance

The experience, in brief

  • Night out at three places to try vastly different styles of Korean food
  • Visit charming Mangwon Traditional Market for some old school fried chicken
  • Duck into a cozy old country style pub for smoked barbecued chicken
  • Trek back through the market to a secret unique chicken spot
  • Spicy cheesy chicken with beer served in actual canteen cups from World War II
  • Tour includes food and all beverages, alcoholic and nonalcoholic
Detailed Itinerary

The journey, in full

**1. Meet at Mangwon Station** Your tour begins at Mangwon Station, where you’ll meet your guide and fellow food adventurers. From here, we take a short walk to a local spot just outside the station that serves up some of the best old-school fried chicken in the area. Paired with your first cold beer of the night, this crispy, juicy chicken sets the perfect tone for the evening, giving you a true taste of why "chimaek" (chicken and beer) is a favorite comfort food in Korea. **2. Walk Through Mangwon Market** After our first stop, we’ll take a leisurely walk through the vibrant Mangwon Market. As you wander past bustling stalls selling fresh produce, street food, and local delicacies, you’ll get a sense of the market’s lively atmosphere and its importance in the local community. This stroll will give you a peek into the everyday life of Seoulites and prime you for the next round of chicken. **3. Smoked Barbecue Chicken at a Traditional Pub** Next, we head to a cozy, old-style pub tucked away from the main streets, where the specialty is smoked barbecue chicken. The smoky, tender flavors are a unique take on Korea’s beloved chicken, and of course, it’s all served with another round of cold beer. This pub’s relaxed atmosphere lets you unwind while experiencing the communal, laid-back vibe that makes Korean pub culture so special. **4. Spicy Cheesy Chicken at a Secret Spot** For the final stop, we venture to a hidden gem that serves spicy cheesy chicken like you’ve never had before. This dish comes in World War II-era canteen cups, adding a quirky, nostalgic touch to the experience. With its bold, spicy flavors and gooey cheese, it’s the perfect way to cap off the night. Paired with one last beer and a cool, bunker-like setting, this spot offers a truly memorable end to the tour. **5. End of the Night** By the end of the tour, you’ll have explored three distinct styles of Korean chicken, each with its own unique flair, and indulged in plenty of cold beer along the way. This is more than just a food tour—it’s a full immersion into Korea’s chicken and beer culture, packed with local charm, hidden spots, and unforgettable flavors. You’ll leave with a full stomach, new stories, and a deeper understanding of why "chimaek" is such a big deal in Korea.

Your Itinerary

Your day, step by step

Day 1

Seoul

Food Tasting.

Before You Go

What to know before booking

Included

The tour includes food and all beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Not Included

Tips & Gratuity Extra servings

What to Bring

Wear comfortable shoes and bring an ample appetite. There is a good bit of walking involved. The ticket price includes all food. It also includes alcoholic beverages (within reason). Non-alcoholic option is available. Empty stomach to try all korean dishes included!

Restrictions

<li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#57646f;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">An ample appetite<li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#57646f;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">Umbrella or appropriate clothing for the weather

Meeting & Pickup

Meet INSIDE Mangwon Station, bottom of the escalators, in front of the bread shop *** We recommend using the Seoul Metro (subway) to reach the location. Traffic is usually standstill at this time, so anticipate an hour or two to reach the meeting point if you're using taxi. The Seoul Metro is easy to use, English friendly, and efficient. Note that you likely will need to use cash to purchase subway passes at the ticketing kiosks.

Languages Offered

[object Object]

Before Booking

Are there any food allergies or restrictions we should be aware of?

Planning Notes

Minimum age: 7 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business

Traveler Impressions

What travelers are saying

2026-07-27 5.00 / 5

What an excellent way to learn and experience the Korean culture and foods! Joe was a great tour guide, as he shared his perspective like a longtime local. He was a great storyteller and foodie. I would recommend this tour for the great tour guide, fried and BBQ chicken, plus the thirst-quenching Cass beer!

2025-03-08 5.00 / 5

Really awesome experience and ended up being one of our favorite nights in Seoul. You will be thrust around the city - stopping to enjoy multiple rounds of chicken, beer, Soju, and energetic discussions with your guide. We also loved stepping through Mangwon Market and being encouraged to try local dishes we almost certaintly would not have tried on our own accord. Cannot recommend this excursion enough for travelers who want to eat, laugh, and experience Seoul through the local cuisine! Additionally, our guide, Jeff, was exceptional and elevated the night to another level. Jeff lead the tour swiftly and seamlessly but what was remarkable was Jeff's skills as conversationalist. Jeff was eager to share and educate us on Korea culture - dining practices, entertainment, economics, sport, history, really everything - all while fielding all of our curiosity questions. Before we realized the night had grown late and Jeff was more than willing to stay far beyond the scheduled end of the tour to continue entertaining us. Jeff made this such a memorable evening and by the end of the night it felt as is if we were just having drinks and lively conversation with a friend. Gamsa habnida Jeff!

2024-05-06 5.00 / 5

Our guide, David, is an expert in Korean traditional spiritual culture. He’s an American expat who’s lived in Korea for 40 years guiding tours, studying, and writing books on spiritual practices in the country. He’s written numerous books, and told us many interesting facts. The tour consisted of stops at 3 different places serving substantially different types of chicken along with beer and soju. First stop, ddobagi, served us fried chicken (so good), sticky fried chicken, and Cass beer, along with some “salad” that seems to be a staple in Korea. Second stop, the name of which I didn’t catch, served super sticky spicy fried chicken and Soju. Here, Dave explained the Korean cultural norms around age. Everyone waits for the eldest in the group to eat/drink before they begin. A younger person is expected to use 2 hands when pouring for or accepting anything from an elder. I, as the youngest at the table, kept having to be reminded to use two hands ???? Third and final stop was at a US Army themed location called Flying Chicken. Here we had what Dave referred to as the future of chicken. Slightly crispy chicken in a spicy sauce covered in cheese along with beer in a canteen. Everything was delicious and the stories were interesting. I’d highly recommend finding this tour if you’re ever in Seoul.

Share This Inspiration

Know Someone Who Would Enjoy This?

Send this page to a friend, family member, or fellow traveler as a personal digital postcard.

Send a Travel Postcard