Dakhanmari (닭한마리) means “one whole chicken,” and that is exactly what arrives at your table: a whole young chicken in a big pot of broth, cooked on a burner in front of you. The best place to eat dakhanmari in Seoul is Dongdaemun Dakhanmari Alley, a narrow lane near Dongdaemun Market where the dish has been served since the 1970s. This guide covers the two best-known shops, prices, waiting times and how to eat it like a local.
Japanese visitors know it as タッカンマリ, and Taiwanese visitors as 一隻雞. Staff in the alley are used to foreign guests, and the menu is short enough that ordering is easy.
What Is Dakhanmari?
Dakhanmari is a simple chicken hot pot. A whole chicken is boiled in broth, often with garlic and rice cakes, and brought to the table in a wide pot. The staff cut the chicken for you with scissors once it is cooked. You dip the meat in a sauce you mix yourself, then finish the meal by cooking kalguksu noodles in the leftover broth. It is mild, not spicy, unless you add chili paste.
It is not the same as samgyetang. Samgyetang is one small stuffed chicken per person in an individual bowl, while dakhanmari is one big pot shared by the table. For samgyetang, see our Tosokchon Samgyetang guide.
Dongdaemun Dakhanmari Alley
The alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목) sits between Jongno 5-ga and Dongdaemun, close to Dongdaemun Market and a short walk from Gwangjang Market. About a dozen dakhanmari shops line the lane, most open from morning until after midnight. Take Line 1 or 4 to Dongdaemun Station (Exits 8–9) or Line 1 to Jongno 5-ga Station (Exits 5–6) and walk about 5–7 minutes.
Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리)
The name everyone knows. Korea Tourism Organization dates it to 1978, and it is the biggest shop in the alley, with a main building and an annex. Dakhanmari is the only main dish, and the broth is light and clean so the young chicken stays tender.
| Address | 18 Jongno 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 종로40가길 18) |
| Nearest station | Dongdaemun Station, Exit 9, about 5 minutes |
| Hours | Daily 10:30–01:00 (last order 23:30) |
| Price | Dakhanmari ₩33,000. Rice cakes, noodles, green onions ₩2,000 each, potatoes ₩3,000, rice ₩1,000 |
| Waiting | Walk-in. Numbered tickets at busy times |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
- Shortest waits: around opening (10:30–11:30) and mid-afternoon (14:00–17:00).
- Longest waits: weekend lunch and Friday or Saturday evenings, when waits of 30 minutes to an hour are reported.
- Because the restaurant is large, the line usually moves quickly.
Myeongdong Dakhanmari Main Branch (명동닭한마리 본점)
Despite the name, the main branch is in the same Dongdaemun alley, a few doors from Jinokhwa. It is a good backup if the line at Jinokhwa is long, and it is open even later.
| Address | 14 Jongno 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 종로40가길 14) |
| Nearest station | Dongdaemun Station or Jongno 5-ga Station, about 5–7 minutes |
| Hours | Daily 10:00–00:30 (last order midnight) |
| Price | Dakhanmari ₩33,000. Noodles, rice cakes, potatoes and other extras ₩2,000 each |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
How to Eat Dakhanmari
- Wait for the boil. The pot arrives with the chicken already cooked through. Let it come back to a boil, and the staff will cut the chicken into pieces.
- Mix your sauce. Each table has chili paste (dadaegi), soy sauce, vinegar and mustard. A common mix is two parts chili paste, one part soy sauce, one part vinegar and a little mustard. Add chopped garlic if you like.
- Eat the chicken and extras. Dip the meat and rice cakes in the sauce. Add potatoes or green onions to the pot as you go.
- Finish with noodles. Order a portion of kalguksu noodles (₩2,000) and cook it in the rich leftover broth. Some people add kimchi to the broth first for a spicier soup.
Dakhanmari Prices
| Item | Korean | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dakhanmari (whole chicken) | 닭한마리 | ₩33,000 |
| Rice cakes / noodles / green onions | 떡 / 국수 / 파 사리 | ₩2,000 each |
| Potatoes | 감자사리 | ₩3,000 (Jinokhwa) |
One chicken is usually enough for two people, or three with extra noodles and rice cakes. For four people, adding several extras is often better value than ordering a second chicken.
FAQ
How much is dakhanmari in Dongdaemun?
At the two shops above, one whole chicken costs ₩33,000. Extras like noodles and rice cakes cost about ₩2,000 each.
Is dakhanmari spicy?
No. The broth is mild. The spice comes only from the dipping sauce and any kimchi you add, so you control the heat.
What time does Dakhanmari Alley open?
Most shops open around 10:00–10:30 and stay open past midnight. Jinokhwa is open daily until 01:00, with last order at 23:30.
Can one person eat dakhanmari?
It is a sharing dish, so a whole chicken is a lot for one person. It works best for two or more.
Prices and hours were checked in November 2026 and can change. Check Naver Map before you go.
Planning more meals? See the best Korean restaurants in Seoul, our Gwangjang Market food guide, or browse all Seoul restaurant guides.